More Commercial Driver Info

Since 1992, all drivers have been required to have a CDL in order to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has developed testing standards for licensing drivers. States are able to issue CDLs only after a written and driving test have been given by the State or approved testing facility.

Do I need a CDL?

A driver will need a CDL if the vehicle meets one of the following definitions of a CMV:

Class A – Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds (11,793 kg) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds (4536 kg).

Class B – Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds (11,793 kg), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds (4536 kg) GVWR.

Class C – Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.

States may require drivers of additional vehicles to have CDLs.

Any vehicle for which a CDL license is required is considered a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV).

How do I get a CDL?

If you are interested in obtaining a CDL, you should verify the CDL requirements of the issuing state by referencing a CDL Manual provided by the state in question.

Note that formal training is not mandatory to obtain a CDL. You’ll need only to make sure you meet all state requirements and focus on passing your knowledge and skills tests.

Knowledge Tests

You will have to take one or more knowledge tests depending on your individual needs. Knowledge tests include:

• The General Knowledge Test, taken by all applicants.
• The Passenger Transport Test, taken by all bus driver applicants.
• The School Bus Test is required if you want to drive a school bus.
• The Air Brakes Test, which you must take if your vehicle has air brakes.
• The Combination Vehicles Test, which is required if you want to drive combination vehicles.
• The Hazardous Materials Test, required if you want to haul hazardous material or waste in amounts which require placarding.
• The Tanker Test, required if you want to haul liquids in bulk.
• The Doubles/Triples Test, required if you want to pull double or triple trailers.

Skills Tests

If you pass the required knowledge test(s), you can take the CDL license skills tests.

There are three types of general skills that will be tested:

• Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.
• Basic Vehicle Control: You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area.
• On-Road Driving: You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets or highways.

You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.

Endorsements on a CDL:

A driver will be required to pass additional tests to obtain any of the following endorsements on their CDL. These are only obtained after a CDL has been issued to the driver.

• T Semi trailer Double or Triple (Written Test)
• P Passenger Vehicle (Written and Driving Tests)
• S School Bus (Written and Driving Test, Background Check, Sex Offender Registry Check and P endorsement)
• N Tank Truck (Written Test)
• H Hazardous materials (Written Test and Background Check through the Transportation Security Administration)
• X Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials (Written Test)

CDLIS Clearinghouse

The Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) and the National Driver Register (NDR) exchange information on traffic convictions, and driver disqualifications about commercial drivers. States have to use both CDLIS and NDR to check a driver’s record before any State can issue a CDL. To gain access to these databases, CDLIS and NDR, respectively, one should visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Technical Support Web site for instructions on how this information is accessed and who can access it. Trucking companies can use a commercial company that has clearance for providing this information before hiring any driver for employment