West Virginia General Knowledge Test

About the West Virginia General Knowledge Test

West Virginia’s twisty two-lanes, steep mountain grades, and heavy coal truck traffic demand more than basic driving skills. The General Knowledge Test is your first step to earning a CDL in the Mountain State. You’ll prove you understand vehicle inspections, basic air brakes, and safe driving in our unique conditions.

Our roads — like I-77 through the New River Gorge and US 33 over the Alleghenies — see fog, ice, and sudden snow squalls. Coal trucks share the pavement with tourists heading to Seneca Rocks. This test covers the rules you’ll use every shift: weight limits, load securement, and how to avoid rollovers on tight mountain curves.

The WV DMV bases all questions on the current West Virginia Commercial Driver’s License Manual. You’ll answer 50 multiple-choice questions and need 80% to pass. We’ve built this practice test to match the real thing — same format, same topics, no surprises.

Passing the General Knowledge Test lets you move on to the skills test. Don’t waste time studying generic material. Use this practice test that’s built for West Virginia drivers.

What This Test Covers

• Vehicle inspection — mandatory for all CDL drivers in WV. You’ll check brakes, lights, tires, and coupling devices before every trip over mountain passes.
• Basic air brakes — most heavy trucks in West Virginia use air brakes. Know the components, slack adjusters, and how to test for air loss before descending a grade.
• Safe driving techniques — downhill braking, managing speed on curves, and handling the fog that settles in the Monongahela Valley.
• Cargo handling — secure loads of coal, timber, or construction equipment. WV has specific rules for tiedowns and wood products.
• Accident procedures — what to do after a crash on a narrow two-lane road with limited shoulders. Know your reporting duties.
• Alcohol and drug laws — CDL drivers face stricter limits. Losing your license on a coal haul can cost you your job.

Study Tips

Use the official West Virginia CDL manual — you can download it from the DMV website or pick up a copy at any regional office. Focus Chapter 2 (Driving Safely) and Chapter 5 (Air Brakes). Those sections cover most of the test questions.

Take this practice test at least three times. Review the questions you miss and read the manual explanations. In West Virginia, you’ll also face a pre-trip inspection test later — start memorizing the inspection steps now. Practice saying them out loud.

West Virginia DMV Information

You’ll take the General Knowledge Test at one of the WV DMV’s regional offices — locations in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Beckley, Parkersburg, and others. Most offices require an appointment. Book online at transportation.wv.gov or call your local office. Walk-ins may be accepted but expect longer waits.

Bring your Social Security card, proof of residency (like a utility bill), and your current West Virginia driver’s license. The knowledge test fee is $30. If you fail, you can retake it the same day for an additional fee. The skills test costs $50 and requires a separate appointment.

Don’t forget: West Virginia has a 21-year-old minimum age for interstate CDL hauling. If you’re 18 you can drive intrastate only. Make sure you have the right medical card and self‑certification before the test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Other West Virginia CDL Practice Tests

Test Details

• State: West Virginia
• Test: General Knowledge Test
• Questions: 140
• Passing Score: 80%
• Time Limit: 60 minutes
• Cost: Free

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