What you need to do to get a CDL

Getting a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) means passing a written test on vehicle operation and safety rules, then passing a practical driving test in the type of truck or bus you want to drive. You cannot skip either one. Most states require you to hold a regular driver's license first, pass a medical exam, and show that you meet vision and hearing standards. The whole process typically takes between two weeks and three months, depending on how quickly you study, how many test attempts you need, and how fast your state's testing centers can schedule you.

The path splits based on what you want to drive. A Class A CDL covers tractor-trailers and large combination vehicles. A Class B CDL covers single large vehicles like straight trucks or buses. A Class C CDL covers smaller vehicles that carry hazardous materials or 16 or more passengers. Most people pursuing truck driving careers need a Class A. Each class has its own written test and its own behind-the-wheel exam.

Key Takeaways

  • You must hold a valid regular driver's license, pass a Department of Transportation medical exam, and meet your state's vision and hearing requirements before you can test for a CDL.
  • The written test covers vehicle operation, safety rules, and air brake systems (if you want to drive vehicles with air brakes), and you must score at least 80 percent on most state exams.
  • The practical driving test happens in an actual truck or bus and includes a pre-trip inspection, basic control skills, and on-road driving, and you cannot use your own vehicle.
  • You can study using your state's CDL manual (free from your Department of Motor Vehicles website) or paid prep courses, but the manual alone is sufficient to pass.
  • Testing fees vary by state but typically range from $50 to $200 for the written exam and $100 to $300 for the practical exam.

Getting your medical certification and learner's permit

Before you can take any CDL test, you need a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate. This is not your regular doctor's checkup. You must see a DOT-certified medical examiner, who will check your vision (you need at least 20/40 in each eye, corrected or uncorrected), hearing, blood pressure, and general health. The examiner will also ask about any medications you take and any medical conditions you have. The certificate is valid for two years, and you cannot test without it.

Once you have your medical certificate, you can explore for a CDL learner's permit (sometimes called a CDL instruction permit). This is different from a regular learner's permit. You go to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, bring your valid driver's license, your medical certificate, and proof of your Social Security number, and pay the permit fee. Your state will give you a study manual. You then study and take the written test. Most states let you take the written test the same day you explore for the permit, though some require a waiting period of a few days.

Studying for and passing the written test

The written test covers three main areas: general knowledge (how to operate a large vehicle safely, weight and balance, cargo security), air brakes (if you want to drive vehicles with air brake systems), and any endorsements you need (hazmat, passenger, tanker). You must pass the general knowledge test. The air brake test is required if you want to drive air-brake vehicles; if you fail it or skip it, you will get a restriction on your license that prevents you from driving those vehicles.

Your state's CDL manual covers everything on the test. You can read it free from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website. Most people study for one to four weeks, depending on how much time they have and how much they already know about trucks. You can also buy paid prep courses or use online practice tests, but these are optional—the manual is sufficient. On test day, you will answer between 50 and 100 multiple-choice questions (the exact number depends on your state and which endorsements you are testing for). You typically need to score at least 80 percent to pass.

Finding a testing location and scheduling the practical exam

Once you pass the written test, you can schedule your practical driving test. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles maintains a list of approved testing locations. Some are run by the DMV itself; others are run by third-party testing companies under contract. Call ahead to schedule—do not just show up. Wait times vary widely. Some locations can test you within a week; others have a wait of several weeks. You will need to bring your learner's permit, your medical certificate, and a valid photo ID.

You must provide your own vehicle for the practical test, and it must be the class of vehicle you are testing for. If you are testing for a Class A CDL, you need a tractor-trailer. If you are testing for a Class B, you need a straight truck or bus. You cannot borrow a friend's vehicle and show up—the vehicle must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition. Many people use vehicles provided by truck driving schools, which is why attending a school is common even though it is not legally required.

What happens during the practical driving test

The practical test has three parts: the pre-trip inspection, the basic control skills test, and the on-road driving test. During the pre-trip inspection, the examiner will ask you to walk around the vehicle and point out and explain critical safety components—lights, tires, brakes, mirrors, coupling devices (if applicable), and cargo securement. You do not have to touch everything, but you have to know what you are looking at and why it matters. This usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

The basic control skills test happens in a closed course or parking lot. You will be asked to back the vehicle in a straight line, back into a 90-degree angle, and perform other maneuvers that show you can control the vehicle. You will be marked down for hitting cones, crossing lines, or taking too many attempts. This part usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. The on-road test is the longest part—typically 30 to 50 minutes of actual driving on public roads. The examiner will direct you where to go and will watch how you handle turns, lane changes, merging, stopping, and how you respond to traffic and road conditions.

You can fail any one of these three parts and have to retake the entire test. Most states allow you to retake the test the next business day if you fail, though you may have to pay the testing fee again. Some states allow you to retake only the part you failed; others require you to start over from the beginning.

Truck driving schools versus self-study

You do not have to attend a truck driving school to get a CDL. You can study the manual on your own, take the written test, borrow or rent a vehicle, and take the practical test. However, most people attend a school because schools provide the vehicle for the practical test, provide structured instruction, and often have relationships with testing centers that can get you tested faster. Schools typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 and take four to eight weeks.

If you go the self-study route, you save the school cost but you have to find a vehicle, arrange insurance for the test day, and study without an instructor. Some people find this easier; others find it harder. There is no legal advantage to attending a school—your CDL is the same either way. The choice depends on your budget, how much time you have, and whether you learn better with instruction or on your own.

After you pass: getting your actual CDL card

Once you pass both the written and practical tests, your state will issue your CDL. In most states, you get a temporary paper permit on the day you pass, and the actual card arrives in the mail within two to four weeks. You can legally drive with the temporary permit. Your CDL will show your class (A, B, or C), any endorsements you earned (hazmat, passenger, tanker), and any restrictions (such as no air brakes if you failed that test).

Your CDL is valid for four or five years, depending on your state. You will need to renew it before it expires. Renewal usually requires passing a new medical exam and paying a renewal fee, but not retaking the written or practical tests. Some states require you to renew in person; others allow online renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to go to truck driving school to get a CDL?

No. You can study the manual on your own, take the written test, and take the practical test in a vehicle you provide. However, you must have access to the correct class of vehicle for the practical test, and most people find it easier to attend a school because the school provides the vehicle and instruction.

How long does it take to get a CDL from start to finish?

If you study on your own and can test quickly, you might finish in two to four weeks. If you attend a truck driving school, the school itself takes four to eight weeks, plus time to schedule and take the practical test. The total time depends on how fast your state's testing centers can schedule you and how many attempts you need.

What if I fail the practical test?

You can retake it. Most states let you retake it the next business day, though you usually have to pay the testing fee again. You can fail the same part multiple times and still retake it—there is no limit on the number of attempts, only on how long you have to complete the test (usually within 180 days of passing the written test).

Can I get a CDL if I wear glasses or have hearing loss?

You can wear corrective lenses and still meet the vision requirement (20/40 in each eye, corrected or uncorrected). Hearing loss is evaluated by the DOT medical examiner, and you may still pass the medical exam depending on the degree of loss. The examiner will determine whether you meet the standard.

What is the difference between a Class A, Class B, and Class C CDL?

A Class A CDL lets you drive tractor-trailers and large combination vehicles. A Class B CDL lets you drive single large vehicles like straight trucks or buses. A Class C CDL is for smaller vehicles that carry hazardous materials or 16 or more passengers. Most truck drivers get a Class A. The class you need depends on what you want to drive.