Getting your Utah CDL permit is the first real step toward a commercial license, and most delays come from small things people did not check ahead of time. Use this quick checklist before you go to a Utah Driver License Division office:
- You have held a Class D license for at least one year.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You have studied the CDL Handbook sections for the tests you plan to take.
- You know which endorsement tests you need, such as air brakes or combination vehicles.
- You know which office you are going to, because not every office handles CDLs.
What is a Utah CDL permit?
A Utah CDL permit, usually called a commercial learner's permit (CLP), lets you practice driving a commercial vehicle on public roads before you take the skills test. Utah's own rules may also call it a commercial driver instruction permit, so do not be thrown off if you see both terms. Either way, you earn it by passing the CDL knowledge tests, and it does not let you drive a commercial vehicle alone.
What do you need before applying for a Utah CDL permit?
The Utah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division sets the entry rules. You must have held a Class D license for one year and be at least 18. Utah's original CDL also requires U.S. citizenship, and people who are not citizens apply for a Non-Domiciled CDL instead. Also check your location. The Farmington, Logan and Tooele Driver License Division offices do not process CDLs, so plan a trip to a different office rather than finding out at the counter.
How many questions are on the Utah CDL knowledge tests?
The test you take depends on the vehicle and endorsements you want. Utah's general knowledge test has 50 questions. The combination vehicles test has 20 questions, and the air brakes test has 25. You need 80 percent to pass. If you skip the air brakes test, your license will carry an L restriction that keeps you out of air brake vehicles, which closes off most truck jobs. Take it unless you have a clear reason not to.
Skipping the air brakes test is the quickest way to end up with an L restriction. If you want to drive a tractor-trailer, take the air brakes test with your permit tests.
How long is a Utah CDL permit valid?
After you pass the required knowledge tests, Utah issues the permit for 180 days. That is your window to practice and finish the skills test, so book your practice time early. The permit must be held for 14 days before the skills test, which means you cannot pass the knowledge test one day and take the road test the next.
From permit to Utah CDL: the order of steps
- Study the handbookRead the Utah CDL Handbook sections for your tests, and before the skills test read sections 11, 12 and 13.
- Pass the knowledge testsTake the general knowledge test (50 questions) plus the endorsement tests you need, and score at least 80 percent.
- Hold the permitPractice for at least 14 days, within the 180 days the permit is valid.
- Finish trainingComplete the entry-level driver training (ELDT) course before the skills test.
- Pass the skills testPre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving, in the class of vehicle you want.
- Collect your CDLUtah issues a temporary CDL the same day, and the permanent license arrives by mail in roughly 4 to 6 weeks.
Are there any shortcuts or modified tests in Utah?
Do not count on one. Utah does not permit modified skills tests. If you want to remove an E, L or O restriction later, you need a qualifying permit and must pass the skills test in the right vehicle. That is another reason to test in the vehicle type you plan to drive for work. Hazmat is stricter still. A Utah H endorsement requires a TSA background check every 5 years and a written exam at original issue and at renewal.
Utah CDL permit mistakes to avoid
- Showing up at an office that does not process CDLs.
- Studying only the general section and forgetting endorsement material.
- Letting the 180 days run out before you finish training and testing.
- Skipping air brakes and getting stuck with an L restriction.
- Assuming a non-citizen can use the standard original CDL path.
Utah CDL permit FAQ
How old do you have to be to get a Utah CDL permit?
The minimum age under Utah law is 18, and you must have held a Class D license for one year.
How long do you have to hold a Utah CDL permit before the skills test?
14 days. Plan the skills test inside the 180 days that the permit is valid.
What score do you need on the Utah CDL knowledge test?
You need 80 percent. The general knowledge test has 50 questions, the combination vehicles test has 20 and the air brakes test has 25.
Do you get a CDL the same day you pass the skills test in Utah?
You get a temporary CDL the same day, and the permanent license comes by mail in roughly 4 to 6 weeks.
Can you get a Utah CDL if you are not a U.S. citizen?
Utah's original CDL requires U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens apply for a Non-Domiciled CDL instead.
Details can change, so confirm the current requirements, office locations and testing rules with the Utah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, before you go.