Comparison

California CDL Test Prep vs DMV WRITTEN TEST

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

California CDL Test Prep

Prepare for your California Commercial Driver License (CDL) written exam with over 580 practice questions covering various topics. Includes study aids like road signs and the official manual, with cheat sheets for key sections. Offers immediate feedback and explanations for practice questions.

Highlights
  • 580+ practice questions
  • Road signs included
  • California CDL Manual
  • Topic-specific sections
  • Printable cheat sheets
  • Immediate answer checking
  • Bookmarking questions
Features
Read full description

DMV Prep™ is the most comprehensive test prep platform available. Since 2009 we've helped more than 800,000 students pass the California Commercial Driver License (CDL) written exam and others. Study aids included: - California CDL license/permit practice test with 590+ questions - Road signs included for FREE - California CDL Manual Sections included: - Air Brakes (54) - Combination Vehicles (55) - Doubles and Triples (25) - Driving Safely (204) - Hazardous Materials (100) - School Bus (70) - Tank Vehicles (22) - Transporting Cargo (30) - Transporting Passengers (27) Cheat sheets included: - Air Brakes cheat sheet - Passenger cheat sheet - Cargo cheat sheet - School Bus cheat sheet *Cheat sheets are printable, can copy to iBooks, or use our built-in reader. Features: - Preview answers to all practice questions - Bookmark questions for later study - Study mode has immediate answer checking and explanations (where available) - Share questions on Facebook to get help from friends - Questions are not repeated until a topic is complete - Practice tests are saved automatically and can be restarted at any time These practice questions were developed by an expert driver and based upon the work supported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Practice questions are available in English only.

About

DMV WRITTEN TEST

Prepare for your state's DMV permit test with realistic practice exams. Get state-specific questions based on official handbooks to boost your confidence and increase your chances of passing on the first try.

Highlights
  • State-specific practice tests
  • Questions based on official driver handbooks
  • Comprehensive test sections
  • Unlimited practice attempts
  • Accurate and up-to-date content
  • Realistic test format and passing scores
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Want a 99% chance of passing your DMV Permit Test? With DMV WRITTEN TEST you get state-specific DMV practice tests that are the same as the real test. HOW IT WORKS • No Need for the Driver's Manual: We provide you with the most up-to-date questions based on the current version of your state's official driver's handbook. Don't be surprised with outdated test questions. We cover every DMV, DDS, BMV, MVA, RMV, DOR, MVC, MVD, DOT, DOL in the country. • Take Comprehensive Practice Tests: Our tests cover every section of the driver's manual so no matter what state you're in, you'll be well prepared. Go through our practice tests and when you take the real thing, it will seem easy. • Pass the DMV Test: Once you've practiced enough and are passing the practice exams, you should be ready to make an appointment with the DMV. With a 99% chance of passing, you'll be ready to pass the test the first time! PRACTICE DMV TESTS MAKE YOU PASS FASTER A whopping 5 out of 10 people fail the DMV test the first time they take it, but the people that use DMV Written Test see a 99% pass rate. We also let you take every sample DMV permit test and DMV license test as many times as needed so you can be sure you're ready for the real thing. WHY CHOOSE DMV WRITTEN TEST? • State-Specific Tests: Because each state has different driving laws and restrictions, we've tailored our tests to each specific state. This isn't one of those generic DMV practice tests. • Accurate & Up-to-Date: We constantly monitor the newest versions of your state's official driving handbook and traffic laws and then update our test questions accordingly. They are always accurate and up to date. • The Same Content: Since we take our facts directly from the handbooks, it allows us to create practice test questions that are very similar, if not identical, to the questions found on the actual driver's license test. WHY WE’RE SO EFFECTIVE • Know what to expect: Our tests have the same number of questions and the same passing score requirements as the actual tests so you'll know what to expect. • Feel confident as you walk into the DMV: You've seen it all before and know what's coming. You got this! • Stay motivated to study: With our practice tests you'll learn as you go and see your own progress in real time. HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? If you have any questions, want to report a bug, or notice any errors, feel free to reach out to us.

Screenshots

California CDL Test Prep4 screens
DMV WRITTEN TEST4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DMV WRITTEN TEST at Free against California CDL Test Prep's $12.99. DMV WRITTEN TEST also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 11 months). California CDL Test Prep's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). On rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

DMV WRITTEN TEST is free to download; California CDL Test Prep costs $12.99 up front. California CDL Test Prep sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. DMV WRITTEN TEST asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for California CDL Test Prep against 4.8 for DMV WRITTEN TEST. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DMV WRITTEN TEST has 138K ratings behind it against 106, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of California CDL Test Prep's written reviews are positive against 73% of DMV WRITTEN TEST's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

California CDL Test Prep ships an update every 11 months, DMV WRITTEN TEST every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
California CDL Test Prep versus DMV WRITTEN TEST: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCalifornia CDL Test PrepDMV WRITTEN TEST
Price$12.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (106 ratings)4.8 (138K ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews72.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings106138K — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
Best chart rank—#128 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB88 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperKelvin BeecroftInfinity Loop Capital LLc

Customer experience

California CDL Test Prep

All ratings106 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral0.9%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive56.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative37.5%

DMV WRITTEN TEST

All ratings137,733 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews940 reviews
Positive72.9%
Neutral9.3%
Negative17.9%

Bugs and requests

California CDL Test Prep

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

DMV WRITTEN TEST

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Answers switching incorrectly
  • Inability to see images for sign questions

Requested features

3 requests
  • Save progress and test history
  • Ability to review missed questions
  • Option to remove ads for a one-time fee

In-app purchases

4 purchases

California CDL Test Prep

One-time4
  • Air Brakes Cheat SheetFree
  • Cargo Cheat SheetFree
  • Passenger Cheat SheetFree
Show 1 more
  • School Bus Cheat SheetFree
None

DMV WRITTEN TEST

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is California CDL Test Prep free?
California CDL Test Prep costs $12.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is DMV WRITTEN TEST free?
DMV WRITTEN TEST is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, California CDL Test Prep or DMV WRITTEN TEST?
DMV WRITTEN TEST is rated higher. California CDL Test Prep averages 4.7 out of 5 from 106 ratings, while DMV WRITTEN TEST averages 4.8 from 138K ratings.
Do California CDL Test Prep or DMV WRITTEN TEST have ads?
DMV WRITTEN TEST shows ads; California CDL Test Prep does not.
Which is updated more often, California CDL Test Prep or DMV WRITTEN TEST?
California CDL Test Prep ships an update every 11 months, and DMV WRITTEN TEST every 3 weeks. Most recently, California CDL Test Prep was updated on November 1, 2026 and DMV WRITTEN TEST on November 7, 2026.

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