Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
Credential: Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
Credentialing Agency: United States Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
The United States Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is for individuals who drive certain Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs). There are three classes of CDLs with endorsements for specialized qualifications for vehicles like school buses, tank trucks, and tractor trailers. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires drivers to obtain and hold a CDL if they operate in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce and drive a vehicle that meets one or more of the classifications of a CMV described on the FMSCA website. FMSCA has developed and issued standards for state testing and licensing of CDL holders. These standards require state governments to issue CDLs to certain CMV drivers only after the driver passes knowledge and skills testing that is administered by the state and related to the type of vehicle the driver expects to operate.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Attainability:
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience
- Education
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Skill Test
- Performance Assessment
Exam Administration (View Details)
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY
Renewal Period
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
United States Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Phone: (202) 366-4000
Contact Page
Other REQUIREMENTS
The Commercial Driver's License (CDL) credential has the following other requirements:
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Step 1: Obtain the Commercial Learners Permit (CLP):
- Applicants must meet the state's medical qualifications.
- Applicants must meet the state's proof of name and residency requirement.
- Applicants must pass knowledge tests for the type of vehicle and kind of driving they want to get the license for.
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Step 2: Obtain the Commercial Driver's License (CDL):
- Applicants must have a valid operator (non-CDL) driver's license, and have passed such vision, sign/symbol, and knowledge tests as the state issuing the learner's permit ordinarily administers to applicants for operator (non-CDL) drivers' licenses.
- Applicants must possess the CLP for 14 days before taking the skills test.
- Applicants must successfully complete CDL training prior to testing if required by the state.
- Applicants must pass all three parts of the skills test: Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Controls Test, and Road Test.
States develop their own knowledge and skills tests, which must meet the minimum Federal standards in 49 CFR Part 383 Subpart G and Subpart H. The specific types of items that a state must include in the knowledge and skills tests that it administers to CDL applicants are included in this section. The skills tests must be taken in a vehicle representative of the type of vehicle that the applicant operates or expects to operate.
Knowledge Test General
All CMV operators must have knowledge of the following 20 general areas.
- Safe operations regulations
- Safe vehicle control systems
- CMV safety control systems
- Basic control
- Shifting
- Backing
- Visual search
- Communication
- Speed management
- Space management
- Night operation
- Extreme driving conditions
- Hazard perceptions
- Emergency maneuvers
- Relationship of cargo to vehicle control
- Vehicle inspections
- Hazardous materials
- Mountain driving
- Fatigue and awareness
- Skid control and recovery
Knowledge Test Air Brakes
All CMV drivers operating vehicles equipped with Air brakes must have knowledge of the following 7 areas:
- General air brake system nomenclature
- The dangers of contaminated air supply (dirt, moisture, and oil)
- Implications of severed or disconnected air lines between the power unit and the trailer's
- Implications of low air pressure readings
- Procedures to conduct safe and accurate pre-trip inspections
- Procedures for conducting en route and post-trip inspections of air-actuated brake systems
- General operating practices and procedures
Knowledge Test Combination Vehicles
All CMV drivers operating combination vehicles must have knowledge of the following 3 areas:
- Coupling and uncoupling
- Vehicle inspection
- General operating practices and procedures
Knowledge Test Double/Triple Trailers Endorsement
To obtain a double/triple trailer endorsement, each applicant must have knowledge covering the following:
- Procedures for assembly and hookup of the units
- Proper placement of heaviest trailer
- Handling and stability characteristics including off-tracking, response to steering, sensory feedback, braking, oscillatory sway, rollover in steady turns, and yaw stability in steady turns
- Potential problems in traffic operations, including problems the motor vehicle creates for other motorists due to slower speeds on steep grades, longer passing times, possibility for blocking entry of other motor vehicles on freeways, splash and spray impacts, aerodynamic buffeting, view blockages, and lateral placement
- Operating practices and procedures not otherwise specified
Knowledge Test Tank Vehicle Endorsement
To obtain a tank vehicle endorsement, each applicant must have knowledge covering the following:
- Causes, prevention, and effects of cargo surge on motor vehicle handling
- Proper braking procedures for the motor vehicle when it is empty, full and partially full
- Differences in handling of baffled/compartmented tank interiors versus non-baffled motor vehicles
- Differences in tank vehicle type and construction
- Differences in cargo surge for liquids of varying product densities
- Effects of road grade and curvature on motor vehicle handling with filled, half-filled and empty tanks
- Proper use of emergency systems
- For drivers of DOT specification tank vehicles, retest and marking requirements
- Operating practices and procedures not otherwise specified
Knowledge Test Hazardous Materials Endorsement
To obtain a hazardous material endorsement each applicant must have such knowledge as is required of a driver of a hazardous materials laden vehicle, from information contained in 49 CFR parts 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, and 397 on the following:
- Hazardous materials handling
- Operation of emergency equipment
- Emergency response procedures
- Operating practices and procedures not otherwise specified.
Knowledge and Skill Test Passenger Endorsement
An applicant for the passenger endorsement must satisfy both of the following additional knowledge and skills test requirements:
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Knowledge test
- Proper procedures for loading/unloading passengers
- Proper use of emergency exits, including push-out windows
- Proper responses to such emergency situations as fires and unruly passengers
- Proper procedures at railroad-highway grade crossings and drawbridges
- Proper braking procedure
- Operating practices and procedures not otherwise specified
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Skills test
- To obtain a passenger endorsement applicable to a specific vehicle class or group, an applicant must take his/her skills test in a passenger vehicle satisfying the requirements of that vehicle class or group as defined in Commercial Motor Vehicle Groups.
Knowledge and Skill Test School Bus Endorsement
To qualify for the school bus endorsement, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:
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Knowledge test
- Loading and unloading children, including the safe operation of stop signal devices, external mirror systems, flashing lights, and other warning and passenger safety devices required for school buses by State or Federal law or regulation
- Emergency exits and procedures for safely evacuating passengers in an emergency
- State and Federal laws and regulations related to safely traversing railroad-highway rail grade crossings
- Operating practices and procedures not otherwise specified
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Skills test
- Must take a driving skills test in a school bus of the same vehicle group as the school bus applicant will drive
Skill Test General
Skills tests are conducted in on-street conditions or under a combination of on-street and off-street conditions. States may utilize simulators to perform skills testing, but under no circumstances as a substitute for the required testing in on-street conditions. Applicants for a CDL must possess the following basic skills for the vehicle class that the driver operates or expects to operate:
- Pre-trip vehicle inspection skills
- Basic vehicle control skills
- Safe on-road driving skills
Skill Test Air Brake Equipped Test Vehicles
Applicants for a CDL must possess the following basic skills for the vehicle class that the driver operates or expects to operate. Skills tests are conducted in on-street conditions or under a combination of on-street and off-street conditions. States may utilize simulators to perform skills testing, but under no circumstances as a substitute for the required testing in on-street conditions.
- Locate and verbally identify air brake operating controls and monitoring devices
- Determine the motor vehicle's brake system condition for proper adjustments and that air system connections between motor vehicles have been properly made and secured
- Inspect the low pressure warning device(s) to ensure that they will activate in emergency situations
- With the engine running, make sure that the system maintains an adequate supply of compressed air
- Determine that required minimum air pressure build up time is within acceptable limits and that required alarms and emergency devices automatically deactivate at the proper pressure level
- Operationally check the brake system for proper performance
Skill Test Passenger Endorsement
- To obtain a passenger endorsement applicable to a specific vehicle class, an applicant must take his/her skills test in a passenger vehicle satisfying the requirements of that vehicle group as defined in Subpart F - Vehicle groups and endorsements.
Skill Test School Bus Endorsement
- Must take a driving skills test in a school bus of the same vehicle group as the school bus applicant will drive.
Exam Preparation Resources
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) examination:
- Best Sources
An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.
Testing Information
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Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
For more information on the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) testing process, visit the agency website.
RECERTIFICATION
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS for the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) include:
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires all commercial drivers of vehicles in interstate commerce with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) to obtain and maintain a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (ME Certificate). CDL holders must provide their State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) with a copy of their ME Certificate. CDL drivers, who do not update the expiration date of their ME Certificate with their state will have their commercial driving privileges downgraded and will not be eligible to drive a CMV that requires a CDL.
All CDL holders must also declare to their SDLA that they only operate or expect to operate commercially in one of four possible categories with their CDL in order to determine their medical self-certification status. CDL holders, who are found driving in a category other than one to which they self-certified, are subject to suspension or revocation of their commercial driving privileges.
Additional information, including state-by-state instructions for submitting ME Certificates and the self-certification process, can be found on the FMCSA website.- Drivers with physical impairments, which affect the ability to safely operate CMVs, must obtain a "variance" from the state in order to be approved to drive commercially. The variance document must be carried with the commercial driver whenever they are operating a CMV.
FMCSA's Military Skills Test Waiver Program and Even Exchange Program (Knowledge Test Waiver) make it easier, quicker, and less expensive for experienced military drivers to obtain Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).
Military Skills Waiver
Every state and the District of Columbia now offer the Military Skills Test Waiver program, which allows active duty Service members and Veterans within one year of discharge to substitute two years of safe driving experience in military equivalents of commercial vehicles for the CDL skills (driving) test. If the candidate qualifies, they can use the Commercial Driver License (CDL) Skills Test Waiver Form or a state version of the form when they apply for a state CDL. See the information below the map for details about the specific waiver qualifications.
Some states have updated their web sites with waiver program information, while others have not.
In the map below:
- Dark green states have waiver program information on their web sites. Click the state to open a browser tab displaying that state’s waiver information.
- Light green states do not yet have waiver program information on their web sites, although they do have approved waiver programs. Click the state to open a browser tab displaying that state’s commercial driver licensing information. Look on the state web site for contact information to learn what you need to do for that state to submit your waiver form.
In May, 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration finalized the commercial learner's permit rule. Within that rule is a special military provision that gives state driver licensing agencies the authority to substitute two years of safe driving experience in military equivalents of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) for the skills test portion for the CDL. This waiver may be used by Service members who have the following:
- A safe driving record during the two-year period prior to applying for the CDL
- Two years of experience operating a military vehicle of the type of CMV for which the Service member or Veteran seeks a CDL
- Regular employment in a military position requiring operation of a CMV within one year prior to applying for the CDL (revised from 90 days to one year, as of July 8, 2014)
Qualified Service members can use the Commercial Driver License Skills Test Waiver form (or a state adaptation of that form) to apply for a state CDL.
Note: CDL knowledge (written) tests cannot be waived. The transfer of school bus and/or passenger endorsements under this waiver program also is not allowed. Click on a state in the map above for additional information on specific state CDL requirements.
Military Even Exchange
The Even Exchange Program (Knowledge Test Waiver) allows qualified military drivers to be exempt from the knowledge test for obtaining a CDL. When used with the Military Skills Test Waiver, this allows a driver to exchange a military license for a CDL. Additional information, including participating states, can be found on the FMCSA Military Drivers Program webpage.
Third Party Testing
Service members pursuing a Colorado CDL, may use a third-party authorized testing unit to administer the CDL Skills Test on behalf of the Department of Revenue – Division of Motor Vehicles.
Entity Eligible to Apply for a CDL Testing Unit License
(1) The Department may authorize a testing unit to administer the CDL Skills Test on behalf of the Department if such training and testing is equal to the training and testing of the Department.
(2) A CDL Testing Unit must enter into a written contract with the Department and agree to:
a) Maintain an established place of business in Colorado with a vehicle fleet of no less than three CMVs owned, leased or registered to the testing unit, the business owner, or an employee of the business;
b) Maintain an adult education occupational business license with the Division of Private Occupational Schools, a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education; or
c) Be a government agency, public school district, private or parochial school, or other type of pre- primary, primary, or secondary school transporting students from home to school or from school to home.
Additional information on testing units can be found starting in Section I, in the Rules and Regulations for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program, 1 CCR 204-30 Rule 7.