Here is how to get a CDL license in short: pass your state's CDL knowledge tests to get a commercial learner's permit (CLP), complete federally required entry-level driver training if it applies to you, hold the permit at least 14 days, then pass a three-part skills test in the class of vehicle you plan to drive. Each state runs its own office and fees, but the federal steps are the same everywhere.
Quick answer
Most people need four things: a regular driver's license, a passing score on the knowledge tests, entry-level driver training (ELDT) from a provider on the federal Training Provider Registry, and a passing skills test. Plan on a few weeks at minimum because of the 14-day permit wait, and longer if you train part time. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA, fmcsa.dot.gov) sets the national rules and your state licensing agency handles the rest.
How to get a CDL license step-by-step
- Choose your class and endorsementsClass A is for combinations where the towed unit is over 10,000 pounds, Class B for heavy single vehicles over 26,000 pounds, and Class C for smaller vehicles that carry 16 or more people or placarded hazmat.
- Check the basicsYou need a regular driver's license, proof of identity and residency, and you must be at least 18. You must be 21 to drive across state lines or haul hazmat.
- Get a DOT medical cardYou self-certify the type of driving you will do. Most interstate drivers need a medical examiner's certificate from an examiner on the FMCSA National Registry.
- Pass the knowledge tests and get your CLPTake the general knowledge test plus the tests for your class and endorsements. The CLP lets you practice with a qualified CDL holder beside you.
- Complete ELDT if it appliesRequired since February 7, 2022 for first-time Class A or B, upgrades from B to A, and first-time hazmat, passenger or school bus endorsements.
- Hold the CLP at least 14 daysFederal rules set 14 days as the minimum. Some states wait longer: Pennsylvania uses 15.
- Pass the skills testThree parts: vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and an on-road test, in a vehicle of the class you want.
- Get your CDL and keep it currentKeep your medical certificate up to date. Letting it lapse can get your CDL downgraded.
How do I get a CDL permit?
Go to your state licensing agency with your regular license and documents, self-certify the type of driving you will do, provide a medical certificate if your category needs one, and pass the knowledge tests. You do not need ELDT before the permit itself (except to take the hazmat knowledge test), but you need it before the skills test.
Which knowledge tests you need
| Test | Who takes it |
|---|---|
| General knowledge | Every CDL applicant |
| Air brakes | Anyone driving a vehicle with air brakes, including air over hydraulic. Skip it and your CDL gets an air brake restriction |
| Combination vehicles | Class A applicants |
| Passenger | Bus drivers |
| School bus | School bus drivers (along with passenger) |
| Tank vehicle | Drivers of tanks that hold liquids or gases in bulk |
| Doubles and triples | Drivers pulling double or triple trailers |
| Hazardous materials | Hazmat haulers. Also needs a TSA background check, and you cannot get it on a CLP |
Each test is scored separately, and federal rules set the minimum passing score at 80%. The number of questions varies by state: New Jersey's general knowledge test, for example, has 50.
Costs and timeline
Fees are set by each state and change often, so we do not list dollar amounts here. Use this table as a checklist of what to budget for, then look up the current numbers on your state agency's site.
| Item | What to expect | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge tests and CLP | A state fee for the permit, sometimes per test | Your state licensing agency |
| DOT medical exam | Paid to the medical examiner. The certificate is valid up to 24 months | Examiners on the FMCSA National Registry |
| ELDT | The biggest cost for most people. Some trucking companies pay for it | FMCSA Training Provider Registry |
| Skills test | A state or third-party tester fee, plus a vehicle to test in | Your state agency or approved tester |
| CDL issuance | A license fee when you pass | Your state licensing agency |
| Timeline | At least 14 days from CLP to skills test. Many states issue the CLP for 180 days | Your state CDL manual |
How to get a CDL in NJ, PA and Texas
- New Jersey: the Motor Vehicle Commission gives a 50-question general knowledge test by appointment and you need 80%. The CLP is valid for 180 days, and the MVC does not supply a truck for the skills test.
- Pennsylvania: PennDOT issues a Knowledge Test Authorization before the permit, and you wait at least 15 days from permit issuance to the skills test.
- Texas: DPS adds a Texas Commercial Rules test before general knowledge. DPS announced that from June 1, 2026, CDL and CLP knowledge tests are in English only.
How to study
- Get your state's CDL manual. It is free and it is where the test questions come from.
- Study general knowledge first. Every applicant takes it and it covers the basics the other tests build on.
- Study air brakes next. Many applicants find it the hardest test, because it is full of pressure numbers and parts in a specific order.
- Add combination vehicles if you want Class A, then any endorsements.
- Take practice tests and write down every question you miss. Reread that part of the manual.
- Learn the pre-trip inspection during your training, not the night before the skills test.
CDL FAQ
How do I get a CDL?
Pass the knowledge tests to get a CLP, complete ELDT if it applies, hold the CLP at least 14 days, then pass the three-part skills test in the right class of vehicle.
How do I get a CDL permit?
Bring your regular license and documents to your state licensing agency, self-certify your type of driving, provide a medical certificate if needed, and pass the knowledge tests.
How to get a CDL license without going to school?
Since February 7, 2022, first-time Class A and B applicants must complete entry-level driver training from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so you cannot skip training entirely. The provider does not have to be a traditional school: some trucking companies run registered programs and pay for them.
How long does it take to get a CDL?
At least 14 days from getting your CLP to the skills test under federal rules. Training length depends on the program and whether you go full or part time.
How old do you have to be to get a CDL?
18 to drive within your state, and 21 to drive across state lines or haul hazardous materials.
