Virginia CDL requirements depend on three things: the class of vehicle you drive, where you drive it and how old you are. Get those three right and the rest, from permit to tests to endorsements, falls into place. This guide covers what the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) expects from a first-time CDL applicant.
What are the Virginia CDL classes?
- Class A: any combination of vehicles with a combined GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, where the towed vehicle has a GVWR over 10,000 pounds. This includes tractor-trailers.
- Class B: a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or such a vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 pounds or less. Straight trucks and large buses are examples.
- Class C: vehicles not in Class A or B that carry placarded hazardous materials or are designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
The class depends on the GVWR and the manufacturer's design, and altered vehicles keep their original class. A Class A holder may also drive Class B and C vehicles, and a Class B holder may drive Class C vehicles, if they have the right endorsements.
How old do you have to be for a Virginia CDL?
The minimum age is 18. Interstate driving, hazmat transport and interstate freight carried within a state require age 21. Drivers under 21 can receive a CDL with a K restriction, which limits driving to Virginia.
Who is eligible for a Virginia CDL?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and present approved documents, such as a passport, certified birth certificate or Permanent Resident Card. Temporarily authorized individuals may apply for a non-domiciled CDL or permit with a valid Employment Authorization Document, or a foreign passport with an approved I-94. People domiciled in Mexico or Canada are not eligible for a Virginia non-domiciled CDL or permit.
What vision and medical rules apply to a Virginia CDL?
For vision you need at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses, and at least 140 degrees of horizontal vision. You must also recognize standard red, green and amber traffic signals. Waivers may be available.
For medical status you certify one of four categories: excepted interstate, excepted intrastate, non-excepted interstate or non-excepted intrastate. Either intrastate category puts a K restriction on the CDL or CLP. Non-excepted drivers need a valid medical examiner's certificate from an examiner on FMCSA's National Registry. Virginia no longer accepts these certificates directly from drivers, so the examiner must submit them electronically through the FMCSA portal. Plan the visit with that in mind.
How does the Virginia CLP work?
You earn a commercial learner's permit (CLP) by passing the CDL general knowledge exam and the exams for the vehicle types you plan to drive. It is valid for one year. Permit holders may drive only the class and type listed, and only with a licensed driver of the same vehicle type present. New CDL applicants must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test, unless they show proof of a previous CDL or complete an approved Virginia CDL driver education course. An out-of-state CLP cannot be exchanged for a Virginia CLP without testing, but time held on it counts toward the 14 days.
What Virginia CDL endorsements and restrictions exist?
Endorsements add privileges to your CDL, and each needs its own knowledge exam.
- H: hazardous materials.
- N: tank vehicle.
- P: passenger vehicle.
- S: school bus.
- T: double or triple trailers.
- X: tank vehicle and hazardous materials combined.
Restrictions limit what you can drive. The common ones are B (corrective lenses), E (automatic transmission only), K (Virginia only), L and Z (air brake limits) and O (no tractor-trailers). Removing certain restrictions requires a skills test, so decide which vehicle you want to be licensed for before you test.
What is entry-level driver training (ELDT) in Virginia?
ELDT applies to first-time Class A or B applicants, drivers upgrading from Class B to Class A, and first-time hazmat (H), passenger (P) or school bus (S) endorsements. For hazmat, ELDT must be completed before the knowledge exam. Existing CDL holders are exempt unless they upgrade a class or endorsement.
What happens on Virginia CDL test day?
- Knowledge exams are taken on a computer, once per business day. Hazmat is English only, with no translator or oral testing.
- Passed knowledge results are valid for one year, and passed skills results for six months.
- The skills test has three parts, pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving, and takes about 90 minutes.
- You provide the vehicle. It needs a valid safety inspection sticker, plates, registration and working brakes, safety belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors and a speedometer.
- Only the applicant and the DMV representative may be in the vehicle during the road test.
Virginia CDL requirements FAQ
What is the minimum age for a Virginia CDL?
The minimum age is 18. Interstate driving, hazmat transport and interstate freight carried within a state require age 21, and under-21 drivers get a K restriction.
How long is a Virginia CLP valid?
A Virginia CLP is valid for one year. You must hold it at least 14 days before the skills test, with limited exceptions.
What vision do you need for a Virginia CDL?
You need at least 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without lenses, and at least 140 degrees of horizontal vision. You must also recognize red, green and amber signals.
Do I have to provide my own vehicle for the Virginia skills test?
Yes. The vehicle must be in safe working condition and have the required inspection sticker, plates and registration.
Can I transfer a hazmat endorsement to Virginia from another state?
No. Hazmat endorsements are not transferable, and all hazmat tests must be taken. A background check may be transferred from another state.
Rules change, so confirm the current requirements with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles before you apply.