Unidirectional transverse tension data are unrelated to cross-ply laminate cracking strains. Instead, a new hybrid laminate test is proposed. Five toughened carbon fiber/epoxy materials were sandwiched between longitudinal glass fiber/epoxy layers. It was then possible to register transverse cracks by acoustic emission. The first twenty cracks of [02/904]s hybrid laminates were used to determine Weibull distribution functions. Predictions of cracking strains in regular cross-ply laminates showed good agreement with experimental data. The hybrid laminate test for transverse strain to failure therefore offers promise as a new test method.