Trucking, bus driving and delivery jobs are some of the most in-demand jobs in the country, and almost all of them start with the same thing: a commercial driver’s license, or CDL.
Getting one isn’t as simple as getting a regular license. There’s federal training, a medical exam, a learner’s permit and a skills test in a big rig or bus. And in the last year or so, a few federal rules have changed that every new driver should know about.
Here’s how the whole process works, step by step.
First, Which CDL Do You Need?
There are three classes of CDL, and the one you need depends on what you plan to drive.
| Class | What You Can Drive | Common Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Combination vehicles over 26,000 lbs, towing more than 10,000 lbs | Tractor-trailers, tankers, flatbeds |
| Class B | Single vehicles over 26,000 lbs, towing 10,000 lbs or less | Dump trucks, city buses, box trucks, garbage trucks |
| Class C | Smaller vehicles that carry 16 or more people (including the driver) or placarded hazardous materials | Shuttle vans, small passenger buses, hazmat vehicles |
A Class A license generally lets you drive Class B and C vehicles too, as long as you have the right endorsements. If you’re not sure, Class A gives you the most job options.
Endorsements: Extra Permissions for Special Jobs
On top of your class, some jobs need an endorsement. Each one usually means an extra knowledge test, and some need a skills test too.
- H (Hazmat): Hauling hazardous materials. Requires a TSA background check and fingerprints.
- N (Tank): Hauling liquids in tanks.
- X: A combo of hazmat and tank.
- P (Passenger): Driving buses and other passenger vehicles.
- S (School Bus): Driving school buses. You’ll need the P endorsement too.
- T (Doubles/Triples): Pulling double or triple trailers.
Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify
You need to be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines. Most states let you get a CDL at 18, but only for driving within that state.
You’ll also need a valid regular driver’s license, proof of identity, your Social Security number, and proof that you live in the state where you’re applying.
Step 2: Get Your DOT Medical Card
Before you can get a learner’s permit, you need to pass a Department of Transportation physical. It checks things like your vision, hearing, blood pressure and overall health.
The exam has to be done by a medical examiner listed on FMCSA’s National Registry. Your regular doctor won’t work unless they’re on that list. If you pass, you’ll get a medical certificate, which is usually good for up to two years.
Step 3: Pass the Knowledge Test and Get Your Learner’s Permit
Next, head to your state DMV and take the written tests. Everyone takes the General Knowledge test. Class A applicants also take the Combination Vehicles test, and anyone driving a vehicle with air brakes takes the Air Brakes test. Add any endorsement tests you need.
Pass those, and you’ll get your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). With it, you can practice driving a commercial vehicle, but only with a fully licensed CDL holder in the seat next to you.
Here’s an important rule: under federal law, you have to hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test. Some states require longer.
Step 4: Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
This is the step that catches a lot of people off guard. Since February 7, 2022, anyone getting a Class A or B CDL for the first time, or adding a school bus, passenger or hazmat endorsement for the first time, has to complete federal Entry-Level Driver Training.
The training covers both classroom theory and hands-on driving. And it has to come from a school or company listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry. If your school isn’t on the registry, the training doesn’t count.
Once you finish, your trainer reports it to the registry. Your state won’t let you take the skills test until it can see that record.
Many trucking companies offer paid training or will cover your training costs if you agree to drive for them for a set amount of time. Read those contracts carefully before you sign.
Step 5: Take the Skills Test
The skills test is where you prove you can actually handle the vehicle. It has three parts:
- Pre-trip inspection: You walk around the vehicle and explain what you’re checking and why.
- Basic control skills: Backing and maneuvering in a controlled area.
- Road test: Driving on real roads with an examiner.
You’ll need to bring a vehicle that matches the class you’re testing for. Most people use their training school’s truck or bus.
Step 6: Get Your CDL
Pass the skills test, pay your state’s fees, and you’ll get your CDL. If you’ve held a driver’s license in another state in the last 10 years, the state will check your driving record there too.
What’s New for CDL Drivers in 2026
If you’re starting the process now, a few recent changes are worth knowing.
English proficiency is being enforced. Federal rules have long required commercial drivers to read and speak English well enough to do the job, but for years the rule was rarely enforced. Since June 2025, roadside inspectors have been placing drivers out of service if they can’t meet the standard. Officers check by talking with drivers about routine job duties and asking them to read common road signs. Some states have also moved to English-only testing. Texas, for example, announced that its CDL knowledge exams would be offered only in English.
Tighter rules for non-citizen drivers. A federal rule that took effect March 16, 2026, limits who can get a “non-domiciled” CDL, the kind issued to people who aren’t permanent U.S. residents. Only certain visa holders now qualify, applicants have to show an unexpired foreign passport and I-94, states have to verify their status, and renewals must be done in person.
How Long Does It Take?
It depends on your schedule and your training program. With the 14-day CLP wait, training and testing, many full-time students finish in about one to two months. Part-time programs can take longer.
What Does It Cost?
Costs vary a lot by state and school. You’ll pay for the DOT physical, the CLP and CDL fees, any endorsement tests, and training, which is usually the biggest expense. Check your state DMV’s website for exact license fees, and compare a few registered training schools before you choose one.
Tips Before You Start
- Get your state’s CDL manual. It’s free from your DMV, and the knowledge test comes straight from it.
- Check the Training Provider Registry before paying any school.
- Veterans may get a break. Many states let military drivers with heavy-vehicle experience skip part of the testing. Ask your DMV.
- Think about your career. If you want the widest choice of jobs, aim for Class A with the endorsements you’ll need.
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