How to Get a CDL: Steps From Learner’s Permit to Skills Test
The federal steps every new commercial driver follows, the Class A, B and C licenses compared, and what drives the cost and the timeline.
To get a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you pass a DOT physical, earn a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) by passing knowledge tests, complete entry-level driver training from a school on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, hold the permit at least 14 days, and then pass a three-part skills test. You must be 18 for an in-state CDL and 21 to drive across state lines.
States issue CDLs, but they follow federal minimum standards in 49 CFR Part 383. The steps below reflect those standards as of November 2026; your state DMV sets the fees, appointment system and document list.
Which CDL class do you need?
The class depends on the weight rating of the vehicle and anything it tows. A higher class covers the lower ones, as long as you hold the right endorsements.
| Class | What it covers | Typical vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Combinations with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 lb or more, towing a unit rated over 10,000 lb | Tractor-trailers, flatbeds, tankers, livestock haulers |
| Class B | Single vehicles rated 26,001 lb or more, or such a vehicle towing a unit rated 10,000 lb or less | Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks over 26,000 lb, city buses |
| Class C | Smaller vehicles built to carry 16 or more people including the driver, or hauling placarded hazardous materials | Small passenger vans, small hazmat delivery trucks |
The definitions are in 49 CFR 383.91. Most long-haul and regional trucking jobs ask for a Class A. Tankers, doubles, hazmat and passengers need endorsements on top of the class; see our guide to CDL endorsements and restrictions.
What are the steps to get a CDL?
- Check eligibility. Hold a valid regular driver’s license from your state of residence. You must be at least 18 for a CLP and an intrastate CDL, and 21 to drive a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce.
- Pass a DOT physical. A medical examiner listed on FMCSA’s National Registry examines you and issues a medical certificate if you qualify. You also tell the state which type of commerce you will drive in.
- Get your CLP. Pass the state’s general knowledge test, plus the tests for the class and any endorsement you want on the permit, such as air brakes and combination vehicles for Class A. The state checks the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before issuing it.
- Complete entry-level driver training (ELDT). Required before a first Class A or B skills test, and before a first passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement test. The school must be on the Training Provider Registry.
- Wait at least 14 days. A CLP holder may not take the skills test in the first 14 days after the permit is issued.
- Pass the skills test. It has three parts: a vehicle inspection, basic control skills such as backing, and an on-road drive. You take it in a vehicle representative of the class you want.
- Receive the CDL. The state issues it after you pass and your training record is on file. A CDL is valid for no more than 8 years before renewal.
How does entry-level driver training work?
ELDT has been required since February 7, 2022, for anyone getting a first Class A or B CDL, upgrading from B to A, or adding a first P, S or H endorsement. It has two parts:
- Theory. Classroom or online instruction on topics set out in the appendices to 49 CFR Part 380, ending with a written assessment. You need an overall score of at least 80 percent.
- Behind-the-wheel. Training on a driving range and on public roads. The instructor judges when you are proficient; federal rules set no minimum number of hours.
Hazmat training is theory only. When you finish, the provider submits your completion to the Training Provider Registry, and the state checks the registry before allowing your skills test. Search FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry to confirm a school is listed before you pay; FMCSA can remove providers that do not meet the standards.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
The federal minimum is 14 days between getting the permit and taking the skills test. Real timelines depend on the training program’s schedule and how soon the state can book a skills test.
Costs come from several places, and each varies by state and school:
- Tuition for ELDT, the largest expense for most people. Some carriers train new drivers at no upfront cost in exchange for a work commitment, often with a repayment clause if you leave early.
- State fees for the permit, knowledge tests, skills test and license.
- The DOT physical, which medical examiners price individually.
- Rental of a test truck if your school does not provide one.
Before signing a carrier-sponsored training contract, read the repayment terms. Pay structures you can expect after training are explained in our guide to truck driver pay.
What medical certification do you need?
Drivers in non-excepted interstate commerce, which covers most trucking jobs, need a medical certificate from a National Registry examiner, generally valid for up to 24 months. Shorter certificates are issued for conditions that need monitoring.
Since June 23, 2025, examiners’ results reach state licensing agencies electronically, and the state updates your CDL record. If your medical status lapses, the state must downgrade the commercial privilege within 60 days. Our guide to the DOT physical and medical card covers the exam itself.
Are there extra rules for non-U.S. citizens?
Yes. A final rule effective March 16, 2026, limits non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs for people domiciled outside the United States to holders of specific employment-based nonimmigrant status, verified through federal immigration records. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents apply under the standard process. Ask your state DMV which documents it requires.
Bottom line
Skills test appointments are scheduled by the state or its third-party testers, and in some areas they can be the slowest step, so ask about wait times before you start training. Taking the skills test in an automatic truck adds an E restriction, which blocks you from manual transmissions until you retest. A clean Clearinghouse record is checked at the permit stage, before you spend money on training.
FAQ
Can I get a CDL without going to a truck driving school?
Not for a first Class A or B license. You must complete entry-level training from a provider on the Training Provider Registry. A carrier or a public college can be that provider if it is registered.
How long is a CLP valid?
A CLP is valid for no more than one year from the date it was first issued. After that you must retake the knowledge tests.
Can I drive a truck alone with a CLP?
No. A CDL holder with the right class and endorsements must sit in the front seat next to you and supervise at all times. CLP holders may not haul hazardous materials.
Do I need ELDT to upgrade from Class B to Class A?
Yes. Upgrading to Class A for the first time requires entry-level training for Class A before the skills test.
