CDL

Thecommercialdriver'Slicensetests

The Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required by federal law to operate commercial motor vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the minimum national standards for testing and licensing, and each state's driver licensing agency (the DMV, Department of Public Safety, or equivalent) administers the tests and issues the license. Because the standards are federal, the knowledge tests cover the same core content in every state, although question counts, fees, and scheduling details are set by each state.

Exam Pattern

The CDL exam has two stages. First you pass the knowledge tests, computer-based multiple-choice tests taken at a state licensing office, which earn you a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). After training, you take the skills test in a vehicle that represents the class and endorsements you want. Every applicant takes the general knowledge test; the other knowledge tests depend on the vehicle and cargo you will drive.

KnowledgeTest	TypicalLength	WhoNeedsIt	ReviewIn
GeneralKnowledge	50questions	EveryCDLapplicant ClassA B orC , , ,	Sections 1–6 8 ,
AirBrakes	25questions	Driversofvehicleswithairbrakes(withoutit thelicense ,	Section7
		carriesanairbrakerestriction)
CombinationVehicles	20questions	Class A applicants who will drive tractor-trailers or truck -	Section10
		trailercombinations
TankVehicles(N)	20questions	Driversofvehiclesthathaulliquidsorgasesinbulktanks	Section9
Doubles/Triples(T)	20questions	Driverswhowillpulldoubleortripletrailers	Section10
HazardousMaterials(H)	30questions	Driversofvehiclesthatmustdisplayhazmatplacards;also	Section11
		requiresaTSAsecuritythreatassessment
Passenger(P)	20questions	Driversofvehiclesdesignedtocarry16ormorepeople ,	Section12
		includingthedriver
SchoolBus(S)	20questions	Schoolbusdrivers(takentogetherwiththepassengertest)	Section12

Question counts are typical of most states and may vary slightly. To pass each knowledge test you must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly, which means 40 of 50 on the general knowledge test. Time limits, where a state sets one, also vary; plan on about one minute per question.

The Skills Test

The skills test is given in a vehicle representative of the class and endorsements you are applying for. It has three parts, and you must pass each part before moving on to the next.

Show that you can identify vehicle

Maneuver the vehicle within marked

Drive in real traffic, including turns,

components and explain how you

boundaries: straight-line backing,

intersections, lane changes, railroad

would check that each one is safe to

offset backing, parallel parking, and

crossings, curves, and highway driving,

operate, including the air brake check

alley docking, as selected by the state.

while obeying all traffic laws.

on air-brake vehicles.

The road test usually lasts about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the route and the vehicle.

Steps to Getting Your CDL

➜

➜

➜

➜

DOT physical by a

Pass to earn your CLP

Entry-Level Driver

After holding the CLP at

With your class,

certified examiner

Training, if required

least 14 days

endorsements, and

restrictions

Item	Requirement
Minimumage	18todrivewithinonestate(intrastate);21todriveacrossstatelines(interstate)
CommercialLearner'sPermit	Issuedafteryoupasstherequiredknowledgetests;validfornomorethanoneyear ACLP .
	holdermaydriveonlywithaqualifiedCDLholderinthefrontseat .
Waitingperiod	YoumustholdtheCLPforatleast14daysbeforetakingtheskillstest
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)	Required before the skills test for first-time Class A and Class B applicants upgrades from ,
	ClassBtoClassA andbeforeafirstPorSendorsementskillstestortheHknowledgetest ,
Medicalcertificate	DOTphysicalfromanexaminerontheFMCSANationalRegistry;validforupto24months
Englishproficiency	DriversmustreadandspeakEnglishwellenoughtotalkwiththepublicandofficials ,
	understandhighwaysigns andcompletereportsandrecords ,
Feesandscheduling	Setbyeachstateforthepermit eachknowledgetest theskillstest andthelicense , , ,

Who Administers the CDL Exam?

The knowledge tests are given by your state's driver licensing agency, usually at a licensing office or approved testing site. Skills tests are given by state examiners or by state-certified third-party testers at designated test sites. Your license is issued by your state of domicile, the state where you have your true, fixed, and permanent home.

Why the CDL Exam Matters

Every CDL applicant takes the general knowledge test. Add the air brakes test if you will drive an air-brake vehicle, the combination vehicles test for Class A, and the endorsement test for each type of vehicle or cargo on your license. Each test requires a score of at least 80%.