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200+ Free Kansas CDL Combination Practice Questions

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

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You are coupling and notice the fifth wheel is not centered with the trailer kingpin. You should:

A
B
C
D
to track
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Kansas CDL Combination Exam

26,001+ lb

Group A combination threshold when towing a unit over 10,000 lb

Kansas CDL manual; FMCSA drivers page; 49 CFR §383.91

80%

Minimum correct score required for CDL knowledge tests

49 CFR §383.135

14+ days

Kansas CDL permit holding period before the skills exam

Kansas Required Documents and Appointment Scheduling

$13

Kansas CDL permit total in the driver license fee chart

Kansas Driver License Fee Chart

Kansas Class A CDL applicants should study Kansas Commercial Driver License Manual Section 6 for combination-vehicle safety: fifth wheel and kingpin coupling, tug and visual checks, air/electric lines, landing gear, trailer brakes, off-tracking, rollover, backing, trailer skids, jackknife recovery, low-clearance railroad crossings, and safe speed and space management. Kansas requires written exams for the class of license needed before CDL permit issuance, a permit held for 14 days or more before skills testing, and applicable ELDT. Federal CDL rules require at least 80% correct on each knowledge test.

Sample Kansas CDL Combination Practice Questions

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

1What 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: 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: 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.
3What does GCWR stand for?
A.Gross Cargo Weight Rating
B.Gross Combination Weight Rating
C.General Combined Weight Reference
D.Government Commercial Weight Regulation
Explanation: 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.
4A Class A CDL is required when the combination has a GCWR of at least 26,001 lb AND the towed unit has a GVWR over:
A.5,000 lb
B.8,000 lb
C.10,000 lb
D.12,000 lb
Explanation: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 Kansas CDL Combination Exam

The Kansas CDL Combination Vehicles Test is the written knowledge test for drivers seeking Kansas Class A commercial driving privileges in qualifying tractor-trailer and other combination vehicles. Kansas directs CDL applicants to pass the written exams for the class of license needed, air brakes if applicable, and endorsements needed to obtain a CDL permit, then hold the permit for 14 days or more before the skills exam. The March 2025 Kansas Commercial Driver License Manual Section 6 covers rollover risk, center of gravity, off-tracking, wide turns, low-clearance railroad crossings, backing, trailer skids, jackknife recovery, trailer hand valves, service and emergency air lines, glad hands, tractor protection valves, trailer ABS, coupling and uncoupling, fifth wheel and kingpin checks, landing gear, and inspecting combinations. FMCSA Part 383 supplies the Group A threshold and the 80% knowledge-test passing standard.

Assessment

Multiple-choice CDL knowledge test for Kansas Class A combination applicants; Kansas requires written exams for the class of license needed, air brakes if applicable, and any endorsements needed before issuing a CDL permit.

Time Limit

Kansas does not publish a separate Combination Vehicles knowledge-test time limit in the cited official CDL pages

Passing Score

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

Exam Fee

$13 Kansas CDL permit total; $41 CDL - any class age over 21 total, including $18 issuance fee, $15 test fee, and $8 photo fee (Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles)

Kansas 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, trailer skids, 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, leaks, 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

Kansas CDL and FMCSA Rules

Kansas written-exam and permit steps, CDL fees, ELDT triggers, medical certification, Group A vehicle rules, and federal 80% knowledge-test passing standard.

How to Pass the Kansas 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 Kansas Class A combination applicants; Kansas requires written exams for the class of license needed, air brakes if applicable, and any endorsements needed before issuing a CDL permit.
  • Time limit: Kansas does not publish a separate Combination Vehicles knowledge-test time limit in the cited official CDL pages
  • Exam fee: $13 Kansas CDL permit total; $41 CDL - any class age over 21 total, including $18 issuance fee, $15 test fee, and $8 photo fee

Keys to Passing

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

Kansas CDL Combination Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read Kansas CDL Manual Section 6 and build a coupling checklist covering fifth wheel, trailer height, kingpin, tug test, visual no-gap check, air/electric lines, brake tests, and landing gear.
2Memorize red emergency/supply and blue service glad-hand functions, then practice crossed-line and air-leak scenarios.
3Drill off-tracking, wide right turns, rearward amplification, rollover risk, backing to the driver side, and low-clearance railroad crossing decisions.
4Treat air brakes in Section 6 as combination-specific; study full air-brake depth separately if your Class A vehicle has air brakes.
5Review Kansas CDL permit, fee, ELDT, medical certification, and the FMCSA 80% passing standard before test day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs the Kansas CDL Combination Vehicles test?

Kansas Class A applicants for qualifying combination vehicles need combination-vehicle knowledge. Kansas requires written exams for the class of license needed, air brakes if applicable, and any needed endorsements before a CDL permit is issued.

What score do I need to pass?

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

What topics are on the Kansas combination test?

Kansas CDL Manual Section 6 covers driving combinations safely, rollover risk, off-tracking, railroad crossings, backing, trailer skids, 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 Kansas CDL testing cost?

The Kansas fee chart lists a $13 CDL permit total and a $41 CDL - any class age over 21 total, including issuance, test, and photo fees. Endorsements are listed separately where applicable.