You get your CDL license from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, not from a federal office

Your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is issued only by the state where you hold a regular driver's license or plan to establish residency. There is no national CDL office — each state runs its own program through its DMV or equivalent agency (some states call it the Secretary of State's office or Department of Transportation). You cannot get a CDL in one state and use it in another without transferring it, and you cannot hold CDLs from multiple states at once.

The process always starts at your state DMV's CDL section. You will need to pass a written knowledge test, a skills test (driving test), and a medical examination. The order and exact requirements vary slightly by state, but the DMV website for your state will list the current sequence and what documents to bring.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your state's DMV directly — search "[your state] CDL" or visit your state DMV website to find the CDL office location nearest you.
  • You must pass a medical examination from a FMCSA-certified medical examiner before or during the CDL process; your regular doctor cannot perform this exam.
  • The written test covers general CDL rules plus endorsement-specific material (air brakes, tanker, doubles, hazmat), and you study using your state's CDL manual.
  • The driving test uses a commercial vehicle provided by the testing site or your own truck, and you must demonstrate basic vehicle control and safe operation on public roads.
  • Processing time ranges from same-day (for the written test) to several weeks (for the full license after all tests pass), depending on your state's backlog.

Finding your state DMV's CDL office

Start by searching "[your state name] CDL" or "[your state name] commercial driver's license." This will take you to your state DMV's official CDL page, which lists office locations, hours, required documents, and current fees. Some states have a single CDL testing center; others have multiple locations spread across the state.

Call ahead before you visit. Many DMV offices require an appointment for CDL testing, and some have long waitlists. A few states allow you to schedule online; most require a phone call. The DMV staff can also tell you whether your state lets you take the written test before the medical exam or requires the medical exam first.

If you cannot find your state's CDL page, go to your state's main DMV website and look for a link labeled "Commercial Driver's License," "CDL," or "Truck Driver License." If your state uses a different name for its motor vehicle agency (like "Secretary of State" or "Department of Transportation"), search that agency's name plus "CDL" instead.

What documents and fees to bring

Every state requires proof of identity, proof of residency, and your current driver's license. Acceptable identity documents usually include a passport, birth certificate, or state ID card. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are usually not accepted.

You will also need to pay a testing fee and a license fee. Testing fees typically range from $50 to $150 for the written exam and $100 to $300 for the driving test, though these amounts vary by state. The CDL license itself costs between $50 and $200 for a multi-year license. Some states charge all fees upfront; others charge the testing fee when you test and the license fee only if you pass.

If you are testing for endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles, passenger), there are additional endorsement fees, usually $10 to $25 per endorsement. Ask the DMV which endorsements you need for the job you are pursuing — you do not have to get all of them at once.

The medical examination requirement

Before you can take the CDL driving test, you must pass a medical examination from a FMCSA-certified medical examiner. This is a federal requirement, not a state one, and your regular doctor cannot perform this exam even if they are willing. The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health to may support you can safely operate a commercial vehicle.

You can find FMCSA-certified examiners through the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners at fmcsa.dot.gov. Search by your state and city to find examiners near you. The exam costs between $75 and $150 and takes about 30 minutes. You will receive a Medical Certificate (Form MCSA-5875) that you bring to the DMV when you take your driving test.

The Medical Certificate is valid for 24 months. If you fail the medical exam, you can retest with a different examiner, but some conditions (like uncontrolled diabetes or certain vision problems) may disqualify you permanently. Ask the examiner about any concerns before you pay.

The written knowledge test

The CDL written test covers general knowledge that applies to all commercial drivers, plus endorsement-specific material if you are testing for hazmat, tanker, doubles, or passenger endorsements. The general knowledge section has 50 questions; endorsement tests have 20 to 30 questions each. You must score at least 80 percent to pass.

Your state DMV provides a free CDL manual (available online and in print) that covers all test material. Study this manual thoroughly — the test questions come directly from it. Some states also offer practice tests online or through the DMV office. You can take the written test as many times as you need, though some states charge a fee for each attempt after the first.

The written test is administered at the DMV office on a computer or on paper, depending on your state. You will get your score when ready. If you pass, you move on to scheduling the driving test. If you fail, you can usually retake it the same day or within a few days.

The driving test and what to expect

The CDL driving test has three parts: a pre-trip inspection (where you walk around the truck and point out safety features), a basic vehicle control test (backing, turning, and parking in a closed course), and a road test (driving on public streets under an examiner's observation). The entire test takes 1 to 2 hours.

You can use a truck provided by the testing site, bring your own commercial vehicle, or use a truck from a CDL training school. If you use your own truck, it must be the same class of vehicle you are testing for (Class A, B, or C) and must pass a pre-test inspection. Many people use a training school's truck because it is already set up for testing and the school knows what examiners expect.

The examiner is looking for safe driving habits: smooth steering, proper mirror checks, safe speeds, and correct use of signals and brakes. Serious mistakes like hitting a cone, rolling through a stop sign, or unsafe lane changes result in an automatic fail. Minor mistakes (like forgetting to signal once) do not necessarily fail you, but too many add up.

After you pass: receiving your CDL

Once you pass the driving test, the DMV will issue your CDL. Some states print it on the spot; others mail it to you within 1 to 2 weeks. Your CDL is valid for 4 to 8 years depending on your state, and you will need to renew it before it expires. Renewal usually requires passing the medical exam again and paying a renewal fee, but not always the written or driving test.

Your CDL will show your class (A, B, or C), any endorsements you passed, and any restrictions (like corrective lenses or automatic transmission only). If you need to add endorsements later, you can return to the DMV and test for them without retesting for your base CDL.

Keep your CDL on you whenever you operate a commercial vehicle. Driving without it or with an expired CDL is a violation in every state and can result in fines and loss of your license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a CDL in a different state than where I live?

You must hold a valid driver's license in the state where you are testing for a CDL. If you are moving to a new state, you can transfer your CDL to that state's DMV once you establish residency and get a state driver's license there. You do not have to retake the tests.

How long does the whole CDL process take from start to finish?

The written test can happen within days of your appointment. The driving test usually happens 1 to 4 weeks after you pass the written test, depending on your state's backlog. The medical exam can be scheduled independently and typically happens within a week. Total time is usually 2 to 6 weeks, but some states have longer waits.

What if I fail the driving test?

You can retake the driving test, usually within a few days or weeks depending on your state's availability. There is typically a fee for each retake. You do not have to retake the written test or medical exam unless they have expired. Most people pass on the second or third attempt.

Do I need to go to a CDL training school, or can I test without one?

You do not have to attend a training school to get a CDL, but many people do because schools provide truck access, instruction, and practice before the test. If you already have commercial driving experience or access to a truck, you can study the manual and test on your own. The DMV does not care how you learned.

Can I hold a CDL in more than one state?

No. Federal law requires you to hold a CDL in only one state at a time. If you move or change jobs to a different state, you must transfer your CDL to that state's DMV. You cannot maintain licenses in multiple states.