- A 1 year (3 years if hazmat-placarded at the time) Correct answer
- B Permanently for any first offense
- C 90 days
- D 6 months
Why this is the correct answer
A first DUI is a 1-year CDL disqualification, increased to 3 years if a hazmat placard was displayed at the time of the offense.
How this topic appears on the test
The General Knowledge CDL exam covers CDL Disqualifications as a recurring theme. Test-writers favor questions that probe whether the applicant has internalized the safe operating procedure, not merely memorized the rule. When you encounter a question on this topic, slow down and verify that the answer you've chosen describes what a careful, defensive driver would actually do — not what is technically permissible.
If you missed this question, that's exactly the right outcome of a practice session: the goal is to surface gaps before the actual test. Open your state CDL manual to the CDL Disqualifications section and re-read the relevant subchapter. Then come back and run through the rest of the General Knowledge practice exam.
For drivers preparing for the General Knowledge CDL exam, additional context — including federal manual excerpts, employer hiring practices, and DOT medical guidance — is widely available from industry resources. Continue reading on a recommended industry resource for further detail. Always cross-check anything you read with the current edition of your state CDL manual, since enforcement guidance is updated periodically.