How do i get a cdl drivers license

Q: What do I need to get my CDL in Illinois?

You must be age 18 to apply for a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) to operate intrastate and age 21 to operate in interstate commerce or to transport passengers. To obtain a CLP, you must possess either a valid Illinois CDL or non-CDL license as a base license.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements are stricter than any other Indiana driver's license and are based upon stringent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Individuals who hold an Indiana CDL are permitted to operate the following vehicles:

Table of Contents Show

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
Frequently Asked Questions About CDLs
Step 1: Have a New York State driver license (Class D, Class E, or Non-CDL C) or a valid CDL from another state
Step 2: Apply for a commercial learner permit at a DMV office
Step 3: Prepare for your road test and practice with a supervising driver
Step 4: Schedule and take your road test
Additional information
How do I get my CDL in Texas 2022?
What do I need to get a CDL license in Florida?
What do I need to get my CDL in Illinois?
How do I get my CDL permit in PA?

Commercial motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles with declared gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 26,000 pounds
Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more people, including the driver; and vehicles used to transport hazardous materials.

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Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations set the baseline for training requirements for entry-level drivers. The ELDT regulations are effective February 7, 2022.

The regulations affect those who are applying to:

Obtain a Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time;
Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.

The ELDT regulations are not retroactive. If an applicant obtained a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or CDL prior to February 7, 2022 in the above situations the applicant is not subject to the ELDT requirements.

When applicants visit a branch to complete a hazardous materials knowledge exam, BMV branch staff will verify training prior to administration of the exam.

For applicants for the Class A/B, School Bus or Passenger endorsement the training will be verified by the 3rd Party CDL Skills Test site prior to scheduling the CDL skills test.

Frequently Asked Questions About CDLs

When does my CDL expire, and how much does it cost to renew?
Your CDL expires on your birthday and a late fee will be charged if the license is renewed after that date. If your birthday falls on a day when BMV branches are closed, such as a Sunday or a Monday, your license will remain valid until the end of the next business day.
View the Fee Chart
When Do I Need a CDL?
You will need to obtain a CDL if you operate a commercial motor vehicle that:
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds; or
- Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
- Is any size and is carrying hazardous materials which require placarding
How Do I Obtain a CDL?
- Have a valid Indiana driver's license;
- Have a valid United States Social Security number;
- Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident or qualify for a Non-Domiciled CDL;
- Pass a DOT physical examination and provide the BMV with an valid Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC);
- Obtain a commercial learner’s permit; and
- Pass a skills test in a vehicle class you intend to operate.
A CDL skills exam must be taken at one of the authorized CDL driving skills exam sites. There you will demonstrate your knowledge and skills of operating a commercial motor vehicle.
If a driver’s CDL has been expired, disqualified, canceled, revoked, invalidated or voluntarily surrendered for more than one year, the holder must pass all knowledge and skills exams prior to issuance of the CDL license [140 IAC 7-3-17.5(d)].

The DOT Physical Examination forms —Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) — are available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Companies and individual drivers can check the processing status of a Medical Examiner’s Certificate by calling 888-692-6841 and selecting option number three.
How do I submit my medical forms?
Use one of the following options to submit the completed MER and MEC:
1. Submit in-person to any BMV branch
2. Fax to: 317-974-1613
3. Email to:
  Please note the file must be in PDF format.
4. Mail to:
  Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
  Attn: CDL Programs
  100 North Senate Avenue, IGCN, Room N 481
  Indianapolis, IN 46204
If you have questions regarding your MER and MEC or want to know the status of your forms, view your Driver Record using your myBMV account or contact the BMV at 888-692-6841.

Follow these steps to get your first time New York State commercial driver license (CDL). If you already have a CDL, you can renew or replace your CDL. You can also download the Steps to get a Commercial Driver License Resource Guide (PDF) for reference.

Step 1: Have a New York State driver license (Class D, Class E, or Non-CDL C) or a valid CDL from another state

Get the New York State Commercial Driver's Manual (CDL-10) online or from a DMV call center. Study the sections of the manual that apply to the type of CDL you need. The sections of the manual that you need to study are explained in the manual. The manual describes the classes, the restrictions, and the endorsements of CDLs. This information is also included on the Driver License Class Descriptions (PDF) (MV-500C).

Effective May 14, 2022, the vehicle and traffic law and the transportation law was amended to establish a commercial driver's license (CDL) class A young adult training program. Please visit Commercial Driver’s License Class A Young Adult Training Program for more information including who can participate, training requirements, FAQ’s and more. See the full text of the law.

Step 2: Apply for a commercial learner permit at a DMV office

You must pass the written test for the CDL that you need. There is an application fee of $10.00. This fee allows you to take all written tests (knowledge and endorsement) required for permit and license issuance applied for which are taken at the same time. There will be an additional $5 fee for any other required tests not taken and passed at the time of initial application. There is a fee of $40.00 to take the CDL road test (skills test). You can pay the road test fee when the DMV office issues your commercial learner permit, or you can pay the fee online. You must pay the fee before you can schedule your road test.

When you apply for an originalNew York State CDL (Class A, B, or C), you must certify that

You did not hold a driver license in any state or in the District of Columbia except New York in the last 10 years or you must report every US state (or the District of Columbia) where you held a driver license in the last 10 years.
You meet the Federal medical examination requirements (see Medical Certification Requirements for more information). 1

You must also prove your legal presence in the United States.

Know what to bring to the DMV office

If you have a Standard and want to change to a REAL ID or Enhanced, you must come into a DMV office. Complete this guide to make sure you have the proofs of identification you need before coming.

Find the documents you need to get a REAL ID or enhanced license

The DMV Document Guide lists all acceptable legal presence and New York State residence proof documents. Please note: You must provide us the original documents (not photocopies), and documents submitted as proof of residence must have your current residence address on it (no P.O. Box permitted).
If you are not U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (i.e., temporary visitors) your Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) or CDL document will have the legend “NON-DOMICILED” printed on documents issued on it. The “TEMPORARY VISITOR” and the expiration date of your legal status documentation will continue to be displayed on the CLP and/or CDL document.

Per federal regulations, the DMV will check for any open suspensions or revocations you may have in any state. If you have an open suspension or revocation, we will reject your application.

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

Effective February 7, 2022: If you are applying for a CDL for the first time or adding a Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus endorsement for the first time, you must complete entry-level driver training (ELDT) prior to taking a CDL road test. Hazmat ELDT is required prior to taking the Hazardous Materials knowledge test. The training provider must be registered on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Go to the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) FAQ for more information about the ELDT requirement.

Step 3: Prepare for your road test and practice with a supervising driver

The supervising driver must have a driver license that is valid to drive the commercial motor vehicle that you use for practice.

Based on feedback we have received from the motor carrier industry regarding the new federal CDL test model, we have learned that drivers are facing difficulties with certain sections of the test, often times resulting in failures. In an effort to address some of the common difficulties encountered during the skills test, we are providing some information that may be useful for drivers and instructors.

Sections 11-13 of the CDL Manual (PDF) covers the skills test. Please pay special attention to the Air Brake Check information on page 11-4. We strongly recommend that drivers and instructors focus on the steps outlined for the air brake check, and follow the steps as written. More information is provided in the full Commercial Driver's Manual (CDL-10).

In addition, please note that the federal regulations allow the pre-trip inspection section to be randomized each time a new test is initiated for an applicant. As a result, the pre-trip portion of the test could start at the front of the vehicle, in the middle, or if the test is for a Class A vehicle, with the trailer. On page 11-12 of the manual, you will find the CDL Vehicle Inspection Memory Aid, which drivers are permitted to bring to the test as long as there are no notes or marked items on the document. Motor Vehicle License Examiners will also have a copy to provide to the applicant at the test site, if necessary.

Step 4: Schedule and take your road test

Use the Road Test Scheduling System. Please note that you can’t schedule an appointment for a date that is less than 14 days of being issued a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP). If you do not pass the road test, you must pay a fee of $40.00 before you can schedule another road test. You can pay the fee online with your credit card, or pay the fee at a DMV office.

CDL restrictions defined below by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may affect CLP holders when taking a Skills Test in a vehicle without full airbrakes and/or a manual transmission.

E - No Manual Transmission Equipped Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)
L - No Airbrake Equipped CMV
Z - No Full Airbrake Equipped CMV restrictions

If the vehicle used for your skills test has:

An automatic transmission, and this is your first road test in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), you will be given an E restriction.
No form of airbrakes, and this is your first road test in a CMV, you will be given an L restriction.
Air over hydraulic brakes, and this is your first road test in a CMV, you will be given a Z.
If you have a CDL with an L restriction and you test in a vehicle with air over hydraulic brakes, you will be upgraded from an L to a Z restriction.

Additional information

Will I get a temporary CDL after I pass my road test?

No. Effective May 23, 2014, the New York State DMV cannot issue a 10-day temporary license document upon successful completion of a Commercial Driver License skills test, in order to comply with the Federal self-certification and medical certification requirements for commercial drivers.

Instead, commercial drivers will have log onto the website listed on the card provided to them at the end of the road test after 6PM that night to obtain the road test results.

Upon passing the road test, commercial drivers must also go into a DMV office (a reservation may be required) in order to amend their license.

What is the fee for a CDL?

It depends on the expiration date and the class of your current driver license, and the date that you receive your CDL.

When will I get my CDL?

The local DMV office will issue a temporary CDL that is valid for 60 days. Your photo CDL will arrive by mail in 3 to 4 weeks.

What if I have a CDL from another state?

To get a New York State CDL, you must apply for your CDL at a DMV office and surrender your out-of-state CDL. If your out-of-state CDL has a hazardous materials endorsement, you must pass the hazardous materials knowledge test when you apply for your New York State CDL. You must also provide fingerprints for federal and New York State background checks for criminal violations.

1. Federal regulations in 49 CFR Part 391

How do I get my CDL in Texas 2022?

Minimum age of 21 for driving across state lines and the country. Own a valid Texas driver's license. Own a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) 14 days prior to taking the CDL test. Complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) from an FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) approved program.

What do I need to get a CDL license in Florida?

All applicants for a Commercial Driver License are required to have an Operator's License, pass the vision requirements, and pass knowledge and skills tests. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. If they are under 21, they will be restricted to intrastate operation only.

What do I need to get my CDL in Illinois?

You must be age 18 to apply for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) to operate intrastate and age 21 to operate in interstate commerce or to transport passengers. To obtain a CLP, you must possess either a valid Illinois CDL or non-CDL license as a base license.