# CDL Direct Course vs CDL Prep Practice Test

The clearest difference is update cadence: CDL Prep Practice Test at every 3 days against CDL Direct Course's every 2 months. CDL Prep Practice Test also leads on review sentiment (94% vs 81%) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CDL Direct Course sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and CDL Prep Practice Test sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for CDL Direct Course against 4.8 for CDL Prep Practice Test. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.9K and 2.3K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of CDL Direct Course's written reviews are positive against 94% of CDL Prep Practice Test's.

CDL Direct Course ships an update every 2 months, CDL Prep Practice Test every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CDL Direct Course | CDL Prep Practice Test |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cdl-direct-course/id1614714939/reviews)** | [4.8 (2.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cdl-prep-practice-test-2026/id6752642386/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.9K | **2.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 80.8% of reviews | **93.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 34 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CDL Direct](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614714941) | [Aignite Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1753704094) |

## What reviewers say

### CDL Direct Course

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cdl-direct-course/id1614714939)

This FMCSA-approved course fulfills the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirement for obtaining a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Complete all mandated theory training online, anytime, anywhere, and have your results instantly submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.

**Highlights:** FMCSA-approved ELDT, Online course completion, Instant FMCSA registry submission, Accessible on any device, Flexible scheduling

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Class A CDL Course - Ages 18+ | $399.99 | one-time |
| Class B CDL Course - Ages 18+ | $399.99 | one-time |
| B to A CDL Upgrade - Ages 18+ | $399.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💰 Affordable price
- 🤖 Easy to use and follow
- 🎓 Informative and helpful content
- ⏱️ Convenient self-paced learning
- 👍 Satisfied users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔇 Audio issues
- 🔍 Small text that is hard to read

**Reported bugs**

- No record of completion at DMV
- Unable to create account

**Requested features**

- Ability to enlarge text
- Option to use audio


### CDL Prep Practice Test

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cdl-prep-practice-test-2026/id6752642386)

Prepare for your Commercial Driver's License exam with state-aligned practice questions and realistic simulators. Features adaptive study plans, detailed explanations, and a readiness score to track your progress and boost confidence for test day.

**Highlights:** State-aligned practice questions, Realistic exam simulators, Adaptive study plan, Readiness score, Missed questions drills, Smart explanations, All endorsements covered

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Subscription | $11.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium monthly subscription | $15.99 | per month |
| Premium monthly subscription | $15.99 | per month |
| Premium monthly subscription | $15.99 | per month |
| CDL Premium Access - 1 Month | $19.99 | per month |
| CDL Premium monthly subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium monthly subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| CDL Premium Access - 1 Month | $24.99 | per month |
| Premium monthly subscription | $24.99 | per month |
| CDL Premium Access - Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |
| CDL Premium Access - Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Dark mode option
- 💡 Motivating features
- 👍 Exam questions match DMV
- 👍 Helpful for non-readers
- 👍 Passed on first try

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💡 Need more practice questions
- 💡 Need more sample questions before paying

**Reported bugs**

- None mentioned

**Requested features**

- More practice questions for Tanker
- More sample questions before purchase


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CDL Direct Course free?

CDL Direct Course is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is CDL Prep Practice Test free?

CDL Prep Practice Test is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, CDL Direct Course or CDL Prep Practice Test?

CDL Direct Course is rated higher. CDL Direct Course averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while CDL Prep Practice Test averages 4.8 from 2.3K ratings.

### Do CDL Direct Course or CDL Prep Practice Test have ads?

Neither CDL Direct Course nor CDL Prep Practice Test shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CDL Direct Course or CDL Prep Practice Test?

CDL Direct Course ships an update every 2 months, and CDL Prep Practice Test every 3 days. Most recently, CDL Direct Course was updated on October 10, 2026 and CDL Prep Practice Test on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*