The 5 Hardest Questions on the Texas CDL Practice Test
TL;DR
In Texas, you must pass the Special Requirements test before any other CDL exam. Many students fail because they study national rules but skip Section 14 of the Texas Handbook. Here are the five questions that trip up most Lone Star drivers.
Warning:
If a school is not on the federal registry, you cannot get your license. All schools listed on CDL Schools USA are verified against the 2025 FMCSA database.
The "Special Requirements" Gatekeeper
Question 1:
Which of these must you pass before you are allowed to take the General Knowledge or Air Brakes tests in Texas?
A. Hazmat Endorsement
B. Texas Commercial Rules (Special Requirements)
C. Pre-Trip Inspection
D. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
✓ Answer: B. Texas Commercial Rules (Special Requirements)
Texas is unique. You must pass the 25-question Commercial Rules exam (based on Section 14) before the DMV will let you proceed with other tests.
The School Bus Overtaking Rule
Question 2:
In Texas, when can you pass a school bus that has stopped with its red lights flashing?
A. If you are on a divided highway with a physical barrier.
B. If you are traveling in the opposite direction on a four-lane road.
C. Never; you must always stop regardless of the highway type.
D. Only after honking your horn twice.
✓ Answer: A. If you are on a divided highway with a physical barrier.
You must stop for a school bus unless you are on a divided highway where the opposite roadway is separated by a physical barrier or median.
Live CDL Jobs in TX
View All JobsThe "Pressurized System" Trap
Question 3:
Under a pressurized cooling system, when is it safe to remove the radiator cap?
A. When the engine is running.
B. Immediately after shutting off the engine.
C. Never until the system has completely cooled.
D. When the temperature gauge is exactly 180°F.
✓ Answer: C. Never until the system has completely cooled.
Removing a cap from a hot, pressurized system can cause severe steam burns. You must wait for the system to cool.
Spring Brake Deployment
Question 4:
At what PSI should your tractor-trailer's spring brakes automatically come on (pop out)?
A. 60 PSI
B. 100 PSI
C. 20 to 45 PSI
D. Exactly 0 PSI
✓ Answer: C. 20 to 45 PSI
Spring brakes are held back by air pressure. When that pressure drops into the 20-45 PSI range, the springs are no longer held back and will apply the brakes automatically.
Roadside Inspection Requirements
Question 5:
In Texas, what specific documentation is required on your commercial vehicle during a roadside inspection?
A. 20 gallons of extra fuel.
B. A back-up generator.
C. A current copy of your vehicle registration and insurance.
D. A certified list of all past mechanical repairs.
✓ Answer: C. A current copy of your vehicle registration and insurance.
You must have a valid CDL, medical card, and current registration/insurance proof for the vehicle.
Strategic Authority Hook
🎯 Mastering these questions is only half the battle
To get your license, the FMCSA requires you to attend an ELDT-approved school.
Check Your Score
If you missed more than 2 of these, you need our Full Texas Practice Test Hub.
Find a School
Once you're passing at 80%, use our Texas School Registry to find a provider verified against the 2026 FMCSA database.
This guide connects your Texas CDL Practice Test data with the actual licensing journey for students in Houston and Dallas. By mastering the "Special Requirements" in Section 14, students unlock the path to ELDT-approved training and high-paying careers.
Only Trust FMCSA-Verified Schools
All schools on CDL Schools USA are verified against the federal Training Provider Registry (TPR). Using an unverified school means you cannot legally obtain your CDL.
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