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200+ Free AK CDL Combination Practice Questions

Pass your Alaska CDL Combination Vehicles Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Why must trailer lights be inspected as part of the pre-trip?

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Key Facts: AK CDL Combination Exam

80%

Federal CDL knowledge-test passing score

49 CFR §383.135

Group A

Combination classification for qualifying Class A vehicles

49 CFR §383.91

Section 6

Alaska manual section for Combination Vehicles

Alaska CDL Manual

$15

Commercial instruction permit fee

Alaska DMV License Fees

$100 / $120

Standard CDL / REAL ID CDL fee

Alaska DMV License Fees

$25

Commercial road test fee

Alaska DMV License Fees

Study Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 for combination-vehicle safety: off-tracking and wide turns, rollover prevention, backing, trailer skids and jackknife recovery, trailer air supply and glad hands, fifth wheel and kingpin coupling, tug and visual checks, landing gear, and combination inspection. Alaska DMV lists a $15 commercial instruction permit, $100 standard CDL or $120 REAL ID CDL, and $25 commercial vehicle road test. Federal CDL rules require at least 80% correct on each knowledge test, and a failed combination-vehicle knowledge test prevents Group A CLP/CDL issuance.

Sample AK CDL Combination Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AK CDL Combination exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1For the Alaska CDL Combination Vehicles test, what is a combination vehicle?
A.A straight truck with cargo loaded in the bed
B.A truck or tractor pulling one or more trailers
C.Any commercial vehicle with a GVWR over 10,000 lb
D.A vehicle with both gasoline and diesel engines
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. A combination vehicle is a truck or tractor pulling one or more trailers. Common examples include the tractor-semi-trailer, doubles (tractor with two trailers), and triples (tractor with three trailers). A straight truck has no separate trailer and is not a combination vehicle.
2Which of the following is the most common combination vehicle on U.S. highways?
A.Tractor with a full trailer
B.Tractor-semi-trailer
C.Tractor pulling three trailers
D.Straight truck with a converter dolly
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. The tractor-semi-trailer is the most common combination vehicle on U.S. highways. It consists of a tractor with a fifth wheel and a semi-trailer whose front end rests on the fifth wheel and is secured by the kingpin.
3Under Alaska and FMCSA CDL class rules, what does GCWR mean for combination vehicles?
A.Gross Cargo Weight Rating
B.Gross Combination Weight Rating
C.General Combined Weight Reference
D.Government Commercial Weight Regulation
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. GCWR is the Gross Combination Weight Rating — the total weight of the tractor plus trailer(s) plus cargo, fuel, and driver. A Class A CDL is required when GCWR is 26,001 lb or more and the towed unit has a GVWR over 10,000 lb.
4Under FMCSA Group A/Class A rules used by Alaska, the towed unit must have a GVWR over what threshold?
A.5,000 lb
B.8,000 lb
C.10,000 lb
D.12,000 lb
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. A Class A CDL is required for combinations with a GCWR of 26,001 lb or more provided the towed unit (trailer) has a GVWR over 10,000 lb. Below that threshold a Class B may apply.
5What is off-tracking?
A.The trailer drifting sideways on a wet road
B.The rear wheels of the trailer following a tighter path than the tractor's front wheels in a turn
C.Loss of tire traction during heavy braking
D.The vehicle leaving its travel lane on a curve
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. Off-tracking is the phenomenon where the rear wheels of the trailer follow a shorter, tighter path than the tractor's steer axle through a turn. Drivers must compensate by swinging wider so the trailer's rear wheels clear curbs and other objects.
6You are making a right turn in a tractor-semi-trailer at a city intersection. Because of off-tracking, you should:
A.Turn the wheel as soon as the cab clears the curb
B.Drive farther into the intersection so the trailer's rear wheels clear the curb
C.Make the turn as tightly as possible to stay in your lane
D.Slow down and use the trailer hand valve to stabilize
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. Because the trailer's rear wheels track inside the tractor's path, you must drive farther into the intersection before turning so the trailer's rear wheels do not climb the curb or strike pedestrians and signs. Watch for overhead clearance and keep an eye on the right mirror.
7When making a left turn in a combination vehicle, you should:
A.Make the tightest left turn possible to clear faster
B.Start in the right-most lane available
C.Watch for vehicles passing on your left in the lane next to you
D.Use the trailer hand valve halfway through the turn
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. When turning left in a combination vehicle, watch for vehicles or motorcycles that may try to pass on your left in the adjacent lane. Stay in the right turn lane long enough so other drivers do not mistakenly try to squeeze past on your left side.
8Compared to a straight truck, a combination vehicle's steering response is:
A.Faster and more direct
B.Delayed and requires smaller, earlier corrections
C.Identical
D.Only affected by trailer length, not response time
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. In a combination vehicle the trailer effectively pushes the tractor in turns, so steering response is delayed. Drivers must make smaller, earlier corrections. Over-steering can produce a trailer swing or jackknife.
9What is a jackknife?
A.A loose connection between the kingpin and fifth wheel
B.The tractor and trailer fold against each other at the coupling
C.A type of converter dolly used with doubles
D.A skid in which all four trailer tires lose traction simultaneously
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. A jackknife occurs when the tractor and trailer fold against each other at the coupling, usually because the tractor's drive wheels lock under braking on slick pavement, causing the trailer to push the rear of the tractor sideways.
10If you start to feel the trailer skidding and swinging out behind you, what is the correct response?
A.Apply the trailer hand valve to slow the trailer
B.Steer in the same direction as the trailer is swinging
C.Get off the brakes so the trailer wheels can roll and the trailer can return inline
D.Use the parking brake to lock the trailer in place
Explanation: Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and FMCSA CDL standards support this answer. A trailer skid is almost always caused by locked trailer brakes. The cure is to release the brakes so the wheels can roll again, which lets the trailer return inline. Continuing to brake — or applying only the trailer hand valve — makes it worse.

About the AK CDL Combination Exam

The Alaska CDL Combination Vehicles Test is the written knowledge test for drivers seeking Group A/Class A commercial driving privileges in Alaska. The official Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual Section 6 covers driving combination vehicles safely, rollover risk, off-tracking, low-clearance railroad crossings, backing, trailer air-brake controls, glad hands, crossed lines, tractor protection valves, trailer ABS, coupling and uncoupling, fifth wheel and kingpin checks, landing gear, and combination-vehicle inspection. Alaska DMV publishes commercial license classes and fees, while FMCSA Part 383 supplies the federal Group A classification and the 80% minimum passing standard for each CDL knowledge test.

Assessment

Multiple-choice CDL knowledge test for Group A/Class A combination applicants; Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 covers driving combinations, combination air-brake controls, ABS, coupling and uncoupling, and inspecting combinations.

Time Limit

No universal Alaska DMV time limit published for the Combination Vehicles knowledge test

Passing Score

80% on each CDL knowledge test under 49 CFR §383.135

Exam Fee

$15 commercial instruction permit; $100 standard CDL or $120 REAL ID CDL; $25 commercial vehicle road test (Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles)

AK CDL Combination Exam Content Outline

Core section

Driving Combination Vehicles Safely

Rollover risk, high center of gravity, steering response, rearward amplification, off-tracking, wide turns, low-clearance railroad crossings, backing, and space management.

Core section

Combination Vehicle Air Brakes

Trailer hand valve, tractor protection valve, trailer air supply control, service and emergency lines, glad hands, crossed-line faults, trailer ABS, and trailer brake tests.

Core section

Coupling and Uncoupling

Fifth wheel plate and jaws, kingpin, trailer height, high coupling, tug test, visual inspection, air/electrical line connection, landing gear, chocks, and safe release sequence.

Core section

Inspecting Combination Vehicles

Coupling area, trailer frame, suspension, brakes, tires, lights, reflectors, landing gear, cargo doors, load security, and post-coupling final checks.

Licensing section

Alaska CDL and FMCSA Rules

Alaska Class A commercial license type, DMV permit/license/road-test fees, FMCSA state agency resources, Group A vehicle rules, and federal 80% knowledge-test passing standard.

How to Pass the AK CDL Combination Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80% on each CDL knowledge test under 49 CFR §383.135
  • Assessment: Multiple-choice CDL knowledge test for Group A/Class A combination applicants; Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 covers driving combinations, combination air-brake controls, ABS, coupling and uncoupling, and inspecting combinations.
  • Time limit: No universal Alaska DMV time limit published for the Combination Vehicles knowledge test
  • Exam fee: $15 commercial instruction permit; $100 standard CDL or $120 REAL ID CDL; $25 commercial vehicle road test

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AK CDL Combination Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start with Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 and make a checklist for coupling, tug test, visual lock check, air/electric lines, brake tests, and landing gear.
2Memorize the red emergency/supply and blue service glad-hand functions, then practice crossed-line fault scenarios.
3Drill off-tracking, right turns, backing, and trailer swing until you can explain what the trailer wheels are doing.
4Treat rollover, jackknife, and trailer skid questions as speed-and-traction questions: slow early, steer smoothly, keep wheels rolling, and avoid trailer-only braking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs the Alaska CDL Combination Vehicles test?

Drivers seeking Group A/Class A privileges for qualifying combination vehicles need combination-vehicle knowledge. Under the federal Group A rule, this generally means a combination with GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more when the towed unit has GVWR over 10,000 pounds.

What score do I need to pass?

49 CFR §383.135 requires at least 80% correct on each CDL knowledge test. The same section says an applicant who fails the combination-vehicle portion must not be issued a Group A CLP or CDL.

What topics are on the Alaska combination test?

Alaska CDL Manual Section 6 covers driving combinations safely, rollover risk, off-tracking, railroad crossings, backing, trailer air-brake controls, tractor protection valves, glad hands, ABS, coupling and uncoupling, fifth wheel and kingpin checks, landing gear, and inspecting combinations.

How much does Alaska CDL testing cost?

Alaska DMV lists a $15 commercial instruction permit, $100 standard CDL or $120 REAL ID CDL, and a $25 commercial vehicle road test. The cited fee page does not list a separate Combination Vehicles-only knowledge-test fee.