CDL Requirements by State: a Comprehensive Guide

When planning your trucking career, it’s recommended to research CDL requirements by state since they can vary significantly. For those interested in joining the trucking industry, earning a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is an important certification and first step to success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your credentials, understanding the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements in your state ensures you are prepared to pass your CDL test. This guide breaks down the federal and state requirements to help you navigate the process of becoming a commercial driver.

Federal Requirements for a CDL

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes the minimum national standards for all states to follow regarding commercial driver’s licenses. While each state administers its own CDL program, these federal regulations ensure consistency across the United States in commercial driver qualifications.

Age Requirements

To operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) within your home state (intrastate driving), you must be at least 18 years old. However, if you plan to drive interstate, or if you want to get certified to transport hazardous materials, you must be at least 21.

Legal Residency Requirements

Federal regulations require every CDL applicant to provide “proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency” to their State licensing agency. If you are a lawful permanent resident of the US seeking a hazardous materials endorsement for your Commercial Driver’s License, you must also provide your Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) Alien registration number.  

Medical Requirements

All commercial drivers must meet specific physical qualifications to ensure they can safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. These requirements include:

• Vision: Drivers must have at least 20/40 acuity in each eye, with or without correction
• Hearing: Must be able to pass an audiometric test
• Blood Pressure: Applicants must not have high blood pressure that could interfere with safe driving
• Medical Conditions: Certain conditions may disqualify someone from obtaining a CDL, including diabetes that requires insulin therapy, epilepsy, certain heart conditions, and others

A valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT card) is required to receive a CDL or Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP).

Skills and Knowledge Testing Requirements

The FMCSA requires that all applicants pass both knowledge and skills tests to demonstrate their ability to safely operate commercial vehicles. The written knowledge test covers general knowledge of trucks, combination vehicles, air brake systems, and any endorsements the driver is seeking to earn. Next, applicants must pass a three-part driving test that includes: a pre-trip vehicle inspection and demonstrated ability in basic vehicle control in an on-road driving exam. For this text, applicants must drive the type of commercial vehicle they expect to operate in their role.

Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLP)

Before you can obtain your CDL, most states require drivers to first earn their Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). When driving with a Commercial Learner’s Permit, you must be supervised and accompanied by another driver who holds a valid CDL for the class and type of vehicle you drive. Permits (CLP) are not permanent, and usually expire after 6 months. CLP holders are not authorized to operate a commercial motor vehicle that transports hazardous materials.

Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)

As of February 2022, new regulations now require CDL applicants to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered trainer before they take the CDL skills test. This training includes not only theory but also behind-the-wheel instruction. Both portions of ELDT must be completed within a year.

Military Exemptions 

Members of the military may qualify for exemptions in their CDL applications. Current and former active duty military personnel who have experience driving military vehicles that are similar to CMVs may be able to waive the skills test portion of their CDL test.

To qualify for this exemption, military drivers must apply for their CDL within one year of separation from active duty.

CDL Requirements by State

While the FMCSA sets the minimum national standards for CDL licensing, each state has its own regulations for issuing commercial driver’s licenses. State requirements may exceed federal standards for medical fitness and other qualifications.

Application Process

The CDL application process varies depending on what state you’re seeking a CDL in, but generally includes:

1. Obtaining a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
2. Completing required training
3. Passing knowledge and skills tests
4. Paying applicable fees
5. Providing necessary documentation

State License Administration

State driver licensing agencies (usually Departments of Motor Vehicles) are responsible for:

• Processing applications
• Administering tests
• Issuing licenses
• Setting license fees
• Determining renewal cycles
• Establishing reinstatement requirements after disqualification

Third-Party Testing

Many states authorize third-party testers to administer CDL skills tests. These third parties must meet specific requirements, including using the same testing standards as the state and having examiners who meet state qualifications.

CDL Classes and Endorsements

States issue three classes of CDLs:

• Class A: For vehicles with a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, towing a trailer of 10,001 pounds or more
• Class B: For single vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or towing a trailer under 10,001 pounds
• Class C: For vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials

Depending on the type of commercial vehicle you operate, you may need additional endorsements, such as:

• H: Hazardous Materials
• N: Tank Vehicles
• P: Passenger Vehicles
• S: School Buses
• T: Double/Triple Trailers
• X: Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials

Medical Certification and Self-Certification

Commercial drivers must “self-certify” the type of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) they plan to operate:

1. Non-Excepted Interstate: Meeting Federal DOT medical card requirements while operating across state lines
2. Excepted Interstate: Not required to meet Federal DOT medical card requirements while operating across state lines
3. Non-Excepted Intrastate: Meeting Federal DOT medical card requirements while operating only in your home state
4. Excepted Intrastate: Not required to meet Federal DOT medical card requirements while operating only in your home state

Accommodations for Drivers with Disabilities

The Department of Labor defines reasonable accommodations as “a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done during the hiring process to enable an individual with a disability to have an equal opportunity to get a job and perform their job tasks to the same extent as people without disabilities.”

Modifications can be made to trucks to accommodate drivers with disabilities.
Some examples include:

• Suspension seats for drivers with back injuries
• Wheelchair lifts and ramps
• TTY units for hearing-impaired drivers
• Spinner knob hand controls for those with reduced hand strength
• Steering wheel and pedal extensions
• Reduced effort braking systems
• Left foot accelerators
• Adaptive electronic controls

As long as a person with disabilities can drive safely during a Skill Performance Evaluation, they can qualify to earn their CDL and drive commercially.

Disqualifications and Penalties

There are only a few issues that can disqualify you from getting a CDL:

• Not having a driver’s license
• Not passing a DOT physical exam
• Failing a drug screening

Of course, there are other violations that may affect your employment, even if they don’t hinder you from getting a license. These include:

• Major violations (such as DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, or using a vehicle to commit a felony)
• Serious traffic violations (excessive speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changes)
• Railroad crossing violations
• Violating out-of-service orders

An employer might suspend you from driving for a shorter period of time or for a lifetime, depending on the violation and whether it’s a repeat offense.

Exemptions from CDL Requirements

In certain emergencies or other special conditions, states offer certain drivers exemptions from CDL requirements. It is important to note that these exemptions may only apply in the driver’s home state, unless there’s a reciprocity agreement with other states. Firefighters and ambulance drivers, drivers plowing snow and removing ice on rural roads, and seasonal drivers in farm-related industries are frequently exempt from needing to hold a CDL.

Finding State-Specific Requirements

Each state has its own Commercial Driver’s License Manual, which outlines the exact requirements for and procedures to earn a CDL in that state. Most states’ guides are available online for download and printing. To find your specific CDL requirements by state, contact your State licensing agency or visit their website.

Am I a Good Fit for Trucking?

At Truck Driver Institute, we have seen students from all walks of life succeed in their commercial driving careers. Workers who have experienced layoffs start out anew on the open road in commercial trucking. Military veterans often excel as truck drivers due to their disciplined personality and prior experience driving large vehicles. Retirees can find purpose and stay active with commercial truck driving, and employers appreciate their maturity and reliability. Women who become truckers enjoy the independence of the open road, bringing trucking companies their fresh perspectives and unique skillset that contributes to safer, more stable fleets.

Veterans can leverage the Military Skills Test Waiver Program to substitute military driving experience for the CDL skills test, and the Even Exchange Program to waive the knowledge test requirements. To pay for training, veterans can use military apprenticeship programs or their GI Bill® benefits. The industry offers competitive starting salaries, providing our nation’s heroes with financial stability and freedom.

Many carriers offer excellent benefits that appeal to women entering trucking, including safety training, mentorship, and family-friendly schedules, with entry-level positions often earning $55,000-$70,000 annually and providing growth potential for specialized roles.

Shift Your Career to the Next Level with Your CDL

Understanding the requirements to earn a CDL in your state is the first step toward a successful commercial driving career. We provide our students comprehensive training that addresses CDL requirements by state for drivers who operate across multiple jurisdictions. From federal standards set to state-specific procedures, knowing what’s required will help you be prepared to pass the knowledge and skills tests, and provide all necessary documentation to earn your CDL. Remember: state requirements may change over time, so it’s always best to check with your state’s licensing agency for the most up-to-date information before you begin applying for your CDL. 

Your new career is just around the corner. In just 15 days, you can become a certified commercial driver. Ready to get on the road? Contact us now to set your trucking career in motion.