CDL

You must already hold a valid non-commercial driver's license.

Identity, lawful presence, and Social Security number

You must prove your identity and your lawful presence in the United States, and the state verifies your Social Security number.

Medical certification

You must be physically qualified, with a certificate from a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

Self-certification of driving type

You must certify which of the four categories describes the commercial driving you will do (see the table below).

A clean record

You may not be disqualified. Certain convictions, especially those involving alcohol, controlled substances, or felonies committed with a motor vehicle, a suspended or revoked license, or multiple serious traffic violations can prevent you from getting a CDL.

Thefourself-Certificationcategories

Category	WhoItDescribes	MedicalCardRequired?
Non-excepted interstate	Youdriveorexpecttodriveacrossstatelines andyour ,	Yes
	operationisnotexemptfromthefederalmedicalrules
Exceptedinterstate	Youdriveacrossstatelinesonlyinanexemptactivity suchas ,	No
	somegovernmentoremergencywork
Non-excepted intrastate	Youdriveonlywithinonestateandmustmeetyourstate's	Yes(staterules)
	medicalrequirements
Exceptedintrastate	Youdriveonlywithinonestateinanexemptactivity	No

Getting a CDL begins with the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). To get the CLP you must pass the general knowledge test and the knowledge tests for any endorsements you plan to add. The CLP is valid for no more than one year, and while you hold it you may drive a CMV only with a qualified CDL holder seated beside you.

The knowledge tests are computer-based multiple-choice tests given at state licensing offices or approved testing sites. The general knowledge test covers information every commercial driver must know, and the endorsement tests cover specialized knowledge for particular vehicles or cargo. The minimum passing score on each test is 80 percent.

You must hold your CLP for at least 14 days before taking the skills test. The skills test is given in a vehicle representative of the class and endorsements you are applying for, and it has three parts:

➜

➜

Identify components and show whether they

Straight-line backing, offset backing, parallel

Drive safely in real traffic

are safe to operate

parking, alley docking

Test in the vehicle you want to drive. If you take the skills test in a vehicle without air brakes, with an automatic transmission, or in a lower class, your license will carry the matching restriction.

Commercial drivers must meet the physical qualification standards set by FMCSA. A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination by a certified medical examiner determines whether you meet them, and your medical certification must be on file with your state licensing agency.

Standard	Requirement
Vision	Atleast20/40acuityineacheyeandwithbotheyes withorwithoutcorrection;atleast70 ,
	degreesofhorizontalperipheralvisionineacheye;abletotellthecolorsoftrafficsignals
Hearing	Abletoperceiveaforcedwhisperat5feetorlessinthebetterear withorwithoutahearingaid ,
Bloodpressureandheart	Bloodpressureandcardiovascularstandardsapply;highreadingscanshortenthecertification
	period
Otherconditions	Epilepsy insulin-treated diabetes and certain other conditions may disqualify a driver or require an , ,
	exemptionorspecificmedicalfindings
Certificatelength	Upto24monthsfordriverswhomeetallstandards;certainconditionsrequireshorterperiodsand
	morefrequentexams

If your medical certification expires and a new one is not on file, the state downgrades your CDL to non-commercial status.

Entry-Level Driver Training Requirements

Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules require training from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) before certain tests. ELDT includes theory instruction and, for most categories, behind-the-wheel instruction on a range and on public roads.

First-time Class A or Class B applicants, drivers upgrading

The training provider reports completion to the TPR. That

from Class B to Class A, and first-time applicants for the

record must be on file before the state gives the skills test, or

hazardous materials (H), passenger (P), or school bus (S)

the H endorsement knowledge test.

endorsement.

State Residency and Domicile

You must get your CDL from your state of domicile, the state where you have your true, fixed, and permanent home. You may hold only one driver's license at a time. When you move and apply for a CDL in a new state, you must surrender the license from your previous state.

Special provisions allow a state to issue a CDL to someone who is not domiciled there. Military service members, for example, may apply for a CDL in the state where they are stationed. Non-domiciled CDLs for people domiciled outside the United States are limited to specific eligible groups, and the state must verify the applicant's status.