What is on the cdl class a permit test

Getting a CDL involves several steps. There are medical requirements and residency requirements besides knowledge and skills requirements.

• The first step is to get a copy of your state's Commercial Driver’s Licensing (CDL) Manual. The manual is available in their field locations, downloaded from their website and printed. Each state has its own processes to getting the CDL.
• The second step is to decide which type of vehicle and what kind of driving you want to get the license for.
• There are 3 classes of CDLs with endorsements for specialized qualifications for vehicles like school buses, tank trucks, tractor trailers, etc. Each types of CDL and endorsement requires you pass a skills test and in some cases a written test. It is important to make sure you pass all the required tests or risk having restrictions on your license.
• Applicants for certain CDLs and CDL endorsements are required to complete entry-level driver training before taking the CDL skills test or hazardous materials endorsement written test--see Entry-Level Driver Training for more details.

Once you've finished getting informed and making decisions, there are three basic steps to getting a CDL:

Step 1: Get the Commercial Learners Permit (CLP)

A commercial learner's permit (CLP) is a permit that only authorizes you to practice on public roads with a qualified CDL holder sitting next to you. Getting the permit involves more than just passing all the knowledge tests for the type of driving you want to do. To make sure that you are eligible your driving record is checked for the last 10 years in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You need to bring in the proof that your state accepts to show that you are medically qualified. Most types of commercial driving require a DOT medical card, requiring a DOT physical. Your state may require specific documents it wants to see to prove your name and proof of residency. There are fees for getting the CLP. Reading and following the instructions in your states CDL Manual streamlines the process.

Step 2: Complete Entry-Level Driver Training

Drivers applying for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time who are issued a CLP on or after February 7, 2022 must complete entry-level driver training with a registered training provider prior to testing. Some States may have additional requirements above and beyond the Federal training requirements.

Note: There is no Federal requirement for drivers to complete their entry-level driver theory training before applying for a CLP.

Visit the Training Provider Registry (https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/) to search for a training provider. Once you have completed training, the provider will electronically submit certification of your training completion to the Training Provider Registry. Drivers may look up their training certification information using the "Check My Record" tool.

Step 3: Get the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

You are required to possess the CLP for 14 days and complete applicable entry-level driver training to be eligible to take the CDL skills test.

You must pass all 3 parts of the Skills Test: the Vehicle Inspection Test, the Basic Controls Test, and the Road Test. Your state may even allow you to use their “training aid” to help you remember items on the vehicle inspection checklist. Taking the skills test is no guarantee that you will pass.

Once you have passed the skills test you need to take the documentation to the counter for processing. Some States will give you the CDL that same day, while others send it to you in the mail. Regardless make sure that everything is correct before you leave the counter. It can be costly and embarrassing if you find a mistake later.

Note: FMCSA issued a waiver for certain CDL requirements, effective December 1, 2020 through February 28, 2022. Learn more

Any summary, description, or paraphrase of a regulatory requirement on this site is intended to provide general guidance only.  Please consult the text of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for a full account of the applicable requirements.

Reminder

FMCSA does not issue Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). State governments are responsible for issuing CDLs.

It takes special skills, training, and aptitude to safely operate large vehicles. We issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to ensure that drivers meet our high standards for operating commercial motor vehicles.

Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) CDL Applicants:

On February 7, 2022, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) implemented federal Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements for commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants. ELDT must be conducted by a registered training provider listed on the federal Training Provider Registry (TPR).

Successful completion of ELDT is required on or after February 7, 2022, for applicants who are:

• Obtaining an original CDL (Class A or B);
• Upgrading an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
• Obtaining a School Bus (S), Passenger (P), or Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement 

In addition to the federal requirements, when applying for an original CDL (Class A or B) in California, the applicant must complete a minimum of 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training and submit a California Commercial Driver Behind The Wheel Training Certification (DL 1236) to the DMV as proof of completion prior to the issuance of their CDL.

For more information regarding ELDT, please visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

For more information about the TPR, visit: tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Frequently asked questions regarding ELDT for applicants and training providers.

In California, you may be hired to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) carrying cargo that originates and terminates within state lines if you are at least 18 years old, and to drive for interstate commerce or transport hazardous materials/waste if you’re 21 or older. In either scenario, you need to hold a CDL in order to drive a CMV.  What classifies as a CMV?

How to Apply for a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) plus minus

If you have never had a commercial driver’s license (CDL), or you want to make a classification, endorsement, or restriction change that requires a skills test, you first need to get a CLP and hold it for at least 14 days. Here’s how you apply for a CLP:

• Get a standard California noncommercial Class C driver’s license (DL) (a temporary/interim DL is acceptable).
• Complete an online CDL Application.
• Visit a DMV office, where you will:
  • Submit a completed 10 Year History Record Check (DL 939) (if you have been issued a DL of any kind in another state or jurisdiction in the last 10 years).
  • Submit a completed Medical Examination Report (MER) Form (MCSA 5875) and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) (MCSA 5876) (see the “Medical examination report” section below for more information).
  • Provide proof of your social security number (SSN). It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office.
  • Verify your identity with an acceptable identity document. Your current name needs to match the name on the identity document (see the FAQs for more information).
  • Present acceptable residency documents (if you have never had a California driver license or identification (DL/ID) card).
  • Pay the nonrefundable application fee (application and fee valid for 12 months).
  • Have your thumbprint scanned.
  • Pass a vision exam.
  • Have your photo taken.
  • Pass the knowledge test(s). You have three attempts to pass each of the required knowledge tests. If you fail the same test three times, your application is no longer valid and you need to reapply. To allow for sufficient testing time, we do not administer knowledge tests within 30 minutes of closing.
  • If you want to apply for a REAL ID, you must also provide proof of your identity, social security number (SSN), and two proofs of residency from the list of acceptable REAL ID documents.

We will issue you a CLP after you pass the knowledge test(s).

If you do not meet all the requirements to get a CDL within 12 months of applying (including passing the knowledge test and skills test), the application will no longer be valid and you must reapply.

Rules and Restrictions

Here are the rules and restrictions for operating a CMV with a CLP:

• You must also obtain and carry a valid California DL.
• The CLP is valid for a maximum of 180 days from the date issued. It can be renewed for an additional 180 days if the expiration date is not more than one year from the initial application date.
• If you present limited term legal presence documents, your CLP may expire on the same date as your legal presence documents.
• A CLP is limited to these endorsements:
  • Tank (N)
  • Passenger (P)
  • School Bus (S)
• You must be accompanied by a California CDL holder while operating a CMV. The license holder must possess the appropriate class of CDL and endorsements to operate the CMV.
• If you have an “N” endorsement, the tanks must be empty when you are driving the CMV. The tank must be purged if it previously contained a hazardous material.
• If you have a “P” or “S” endorsement, you cannot operate a CMV with passengers (other than federal/state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the accompanying CDL holder).

How to Apply for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) plus minus

After you hold a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for 14 days, you can apply to take the skills test to earn your CDL. This 14 day waiting period also applies to classification upgrades and endorsement/restriction changes that require a skills test.

To apply for a CDL:

• Schedule a skills test appointment (skills tests are not given without an appointment). You may also call 1-800-777-0133 during the regular business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri., and between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., excluding holidays) to make an appointment.
• Bring the type of vehicle(s) for the class you want to drive.
• Pass the skills test, which includes a vehicle inspection, basic control skills test, and road test. If you fail any part of the skills test, all other testing will be postponed. You have three tries to pass the skills test. You must pay a retest fee each time you retake the skills test.

Certain applicants may qualify to have the skills test requirement waived:

• If you have a valid CDL from another state that is current or has been expired for less than two years, you can surrender that license (or proof thereof). The license must have equivalent classification, endorsements, and restrictions to the one you are applying for in California.
• You can submit a Certificate of Driving Skill (DL 170 ETP) if your employer is authorized to issue them. Both you and your employer must sign the form.
• If you have military driving experience, you can submit a completed Commercial Military Waiver (DL 965). Learn more about the Troops to Trucks military waiver program.
• If you have a California CLP, and completed CDL training and passed the skills test in another state, you are not required to take the skills test in California. The skills test results will be sent to California DMV from the state where you were tested. You will need to go to a DMV Commercial Driving Test Office to finalize your application. Failing to return to a commercial DMV office may result in your application expiring.

After you pass your skills test, surrender your out-of-state CDL, or submit your certificate, we will issue an interim CDL that’s valid for 60 days. If you have not received your official CDL after 45 days, call us at 1-800-777-0133 to check the status.

Commercial Driver's License Renewal

If your commercial driver’s license expires in less than 120 days and is not suspended or lost, you may qualify to renew using the Virtual Office.

CDL Renewal

What Classifies as a CMV?

A CMV is defined as a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles and trailers used for hire to transport passengers or property.

• A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
• A combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
• A vehicle designed, used, or maintained for carrying more than ten passengers (including the driver).
• A vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
• A vehicle transporting hazardous materials (requires placards).
• A vehicle transporting hazardous waste as defined in California Health and Safety Code §25115 and §25117.
• A vehicle towing a combination of two trailers or vehicle and trailer.
• A 3-axle vehicle weighing more than 6,000 pounds.

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