How To Get Your CDL


Unfortunately, one of the biggest pieces of misinformation found online today when searching for "how to get your commercial driver’s license" is that you must go to a truck driving school.

It is NOT a federal law or requirement that you attend a truck driving school or any formal education to get your CDL. While you need to practice with a licensed driver once you get your commercial learner’s permit, in order to prepare for your road skills test; it is not required that said licensed driver be at a truck driving school. Lets say you're like me, I'm actually a 3rd generation truck driver. My father was taught by his father and then my father taught me. Being able to ride in the truck with your father or someone else close to you is a great benefit to getting experience behind the wheel. Not all are this fortunate.

With that being said, landing a job once you get your CDL this way isn’t as easy without any verifiable experience under your belt. Which is why going to a truck driving school that offers job placement once you’ve completed your training is the better route to go but again, it isn't a requirement. Most entry level trucking companies require that you hold a minimum of 6 months of verifiable OTR (over the road) experience before they will hire you unless again, you choose a trucking company that has a truck driving school and also offers a job within that company once you finish your training. 

Most large trucking companies offer a truck driving school with a guaranteed job placement once you receive your CDL. If you would like to see what companies offer a truck driving school or if you're interested to see what other schools, such as community colleges or trades schools that offer truck driver training are in your area, feel free to visit out Truck Driving Schools page. We have a large database of truck driving schools located all across America. We have also partnered with some of the best schools around. If you need assistance picking the best school for you if you so choose that route, feel free to contact one of our recruiters by filling out the form below. A recruiter can not only see what schools are in your area but they can also help you choose the best one that fits your needs, as well as give you all the information about that school. 
Second, you do not need to pay for your state’s CDL manual. Some websites offer to sell it to you, which is very unethical when it is free on your state’s CDL licensing website. If you check your state’s DMV page, they may also list locations where you can get it in print form for free. 

Lastly, there are numerous sites trying to charge for practice tests, which we find ridiculous since there are plenty of high-quality free CDL practice tests that are readily available online that you can print out to study. Your state’s DMV probably offers some, and you may find them in your state CDL manual. You can also find plenty of completely FREE CDL practice tests here that do not require any personal information, sign in, or any payment or commitment of any type; just navigate to our Practice Tests page to get started.

Steps Required to Get a CDL License

  • Be at least 21 years of age (18 to 20 years of age to drive intrastate)
  • You must hold a Class C driver’s License prior to going for your Class A
  • Submit your state’s CDL Application and pay the appropriate fee (each state differs)
  • Provide identity and social security Number (check your state’s requirements)
  • Provide proof of state and US residency
  • Submit a completed Medical Examination Report Form and Medical Examiner’s Certificate Form (This is both your short and long form DOT Physical)
  • Pass a vision test
  • Pass a knowledge exam
  • After passing, be issued a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
  • You must wait a minimum of 14 days before you can schedule your CDL road skills examination
  • Pass a pre-trip inspection
  • Pass the skills and driving examination (you must bring your own vehicle. A licensed driver must bring this vehicle to the testing location for you)
  • After passing, pay the necessary fees for your new CDL (Optionally, submit a 10 Year Record Check, if you’ve had a driver’s license in any state or jurisdiction other than the one where you are applying for your CDL)
Getting your commercial driver’s license makes you part of an industry that moves the lifeblood of the American economy. While everyone sees trucks on the road, they don’t realize those trucks are moving more than 80% of the freight in the United States.This freight is vital to our survival in today's world. Anything you can see or touch has most likely been transported on a truck.

It is a federal law that you must be 21 years of age or older to drive commercially interstate (across all US states). However, many states will issue a CDL strictly for intrastate driving (Only able to drive within your state) for those who are 18 or older; check your state’s regulations. When you are completely prepared to apply for your CDL, and you’ve filled out your state’s CDL application, you’ll need to provide proof of the following:

Your social security number
Your identity
Proof of your residency

Documents accepted as proof of your social security number by most states usually include your social security card, a Medicare ID card, a current ID card from any of the US Armed Forces (active, retired, reserve, or dependent), or a military separation document, otherwise known as a DD-214. Some states may accept some other forms of social security number proof, so check before you go.

The list of documents accepted as proof of your identity varies even more by state. Some of the most commonly accepted include a US birth certificate or certified copy of said certificate, valid US passport, USCIS American Indian Card, valid military ID card, certificate of either Citizenship or Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card, or Temporary Resident ID Card. In all likelihood, your state probably accepts several other documents as proof of identity, so it’s best to check your state CDL manual or DMV website for the latest information.

Proof of residency requirements will vary by state as well. You may only need to provide a copy of a single utility bill for some states. However others like Texas or California may require two or three different documents from a list of up to eighteen different options, and the address on the documents must match the address on your CDL application. Again, it’s best to check your state’s DMV website before you go to avoid any problems.

In addition to providing proof of your given name, birth date, state of residency, age, and social security number, providing proof that you’re medically able to drive a Commercial vehicle is part of the requirements to get your CDL license. The easiest portion of this process consists of a vision exam, which you will take with the rest of your CDL exams, but the more in-depth portion involves submitting required medical reports. 

Whether you drive intrastate or interstate, you must supply two forms to your state commercial driver’s licensing agency: 

The Medical Examination Report Form (MCSA-5875) 
The Medical Examiner’s Certificate Form (MCSA-5876)

In short, one is the short form for your DOT Physical and the second is your long form.

Once you have provided all necessary paperwork, you must pass your exams. All applicants for CDLs must first pass a vision test, as well as the written exams. Once you pass these, you will receive your commercial learner’s permit (CLP). The Code of Federal Regulations states that you must have your CLP for a minimum of 14 days before you can take your road skills test, and the maximum amount of time you can hold a CLP is 180 days. 

NOTE: THIS MAY CHANGE SOON. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is currently considering extending this to 365 days. This change would save many people CLP renewal fees.

Forms You'll Need: Medical Examination Report and Medical Examiner’s Certificate.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that all interstate commercial motor vehicle drivers maintain a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876 to drive. As part of the physical, drivers are required to fill out the medical history portion of the Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875.

Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876
If the Medical Examiner determines that the driver examined is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in accordance with the physical qualification standards, the Medical Examiner will complete and provide the driver with a Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876. The Medical Examiner will keep a copy of the Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876 on file for at least 3 years.

Your DOT Physical is valid if in good health for 2 years. If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, or other notable medical issues that do not keep you from passing your DOT Physical, you will be required to renew every year. All drivers must make sure that both your long and short form paperwork gets submitted to your local DMV prior to expiration for the life of holding your CDL. Drivers must also carry their short form on their person for the entirety of holding a CDL. 

How to Get a Class A License

Be of age
Pass your DOT Physical
Pass your written portion exams
Bring a class A vehicle to your road skills test
Apply for recommended class A endorsements if you wish to add these (double-triple, combinations, etc.) However, these are not a requirement to get a general CDL. 

You need to get a Class A License if you are driving a combination of vehicles with a weight of over 26,000 pounds. For many states, this would include commercial vehicles that have trailers or semi-trailers with two or more axles.

For the second portion of your exam, once you’ve held your permit for the minimum of 14 days; you need to bring a class A vehicle to your driving skills test. Prior to doing your road test, you will do a pre-trip exam on the equipment, which if you do not pass, you will not move on to the driving test.  Once you’ve filled out all the relevant paperwork, filed all necessary documentation, passed your written, pre-trip, and driving tests, you’ll have your new class A commercial driver’s license!


What is a Knowledge Exam?

A knowledge exam is an online exam that tests what you know about commercial driving based on the CDL manual. This exam typically takes around an hour and a half to complete, and requires a pass rate of 80 percent or higher.

What is a Skills Test?

The skills test is where you get behind the wheel of a vehicle similar to the one you will be driving once you get your CDL. There are three parts to the skills test:

Vehicle Inspection (Pre-Trip)
Basic Controls
Road Test

Notable Applicable Exemptions

The federal government exempts some drivers from the skills test. Active military and veterans with two years of safe driving of similar vehicles do not have to take the skills test. This also applies to farmers, firefighters and some Winter plow drivers. 

Note: Some states have additional requirements and restrictions such as felony restrictions. Check your state’s CDL requirements. 
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