How to get a CDL permit (CLP), step by step
Age, the DOT physical, the paperwork, which tests to pass, what it costs in your state, and what the permit lets you do once you have it.
A commercial learner's permit (CLP) is the first document on the way to a CDL. It lets you practise driving a commercial vehicle with a CDL holder beside you, and you must hold it for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test. Here is the path, in order.
1. Check you qualify
- Age. You must be at least 18 for a CLP everywhere. Under 21 you can only drive within your state (intrastate), and you cannot carry hazardous materials or drive a school bus. At 21 you can drive across state lines.
- A regular driver's licence from your state, valid and not suspended. Some states ask for a year or more of driving experience.
- Legal presence and residency. Expect to show proof of identity, Social Security number, lawful status and two proofs of address. Several states stopped issuing permits to non-domiciled applicants in 2025 and 2026, so check your state page if that applies to you.
2. Get the DOT physical
Most drivers must pass a medical exam with an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The examiner issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate, often called the DOT card or med card. Since 2025 the examiner sends the result to FMCSA electronically and the state receives it from there; many states no longer accept a paper card at the counter.
You also self-certify which kind of driving you will do: non-excepted interstate is the common one for truck drivers and needs the medical card. If you pick excepted or intrastate categories you may not need it, but your licence will carry that limit.
3. Study the manual, then the tests
The state's CDL manual is free and is the source of every question. Read Section 1 (the rules for the permit itself) and Section 2 (general knowledge) first. Then:
- Everyone passes the general knowledge test, 50 questions.
- Class A applicants add combination vehicles, 20 questions.
- Almost everyone adds air brakes, 25 questions. Skipping it puts an L restriction on your licence that bans vehicles with air brakes, which is most trucks.
- Endorsements you want on the permit need their tests too: tanker, doubles/triples, passenger, school bus. The hazmat endorsement cannot go on a permit; it is added to the CDL after a TSA background check.
The pass mark is 80% on each test. The passing score guide explains what that means per test.
4. Apply, test and pay
Go to the licensing agency (DMV, BMV, DPS or Secretary of State depending on the state) with your documents and medical certificate. Some states require an appointment for the knowledge test, some are walk-in only, and some let you choose. Fees range from a few dollars to over a hundred, and in many states one application fee covers several test attempts. Here is what each state's agency publishes:
| State | Learner's permit fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36.25 | alea.gov |
| Alaska | $15 | dmv.alaska.gov |
| Arizona | $25 for a Class A or B permit, $12.50 for Class C | azdot.gov |
| California | No separate permit fee; one application fee covers 12 months | dmv.ca.gov |
| Colorado | $20.00 | dmv.colorado.gov |
| Connecticut | $20 | portal.ct.gov |
| Delaware | $5.00, charged when the permit is issued | dmv.de.gov |
| District of Columbia | $78 | dmv.dc.gov |
| Georgia | $10, paid before the knowledge exams | dds.georgia.gov |
| Hawaii | $30 permit application fee (Honolulu) | honolulu.gov |
| Idaho | $29 | itd.idaho.gov |
| Illinois | $50, original or renewal | ilsos.gov |
| Indiana | $17 | in.gov |
| Iowa | $12 | iowadot.gov |
| Kansas | $13.00 ($5.00 issuance plus $8.00 photo) | ksrevenue.gov |
| Kentucky | $11 ($14 for REAL ID) | drive.ky.gov |
| Maine | $70 examination fee (Class A, B or C), includes the first road test | legislature.maine.gov |
| Maryland | $106 | mva.maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts | $30 | mass.gov |
| Minnesota | $26.75 | dps.mn.gov |
| Mississippi | $16.00 | driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov |
| Missouri | $44.00, including $25 written exam, $10 permit and $9 processing fees | dor.mo.gov |
| Montana | $41.72 for an interstate permit at ages 21 to 67 (same table as the CDL) | mvdmt.gov |
| Nebraska | $15 ($10 plus $5 security fee) | dmv.nebraska.gov |
| Nevada | $57.50 | dmv.nv.gov |
| New Hampshire | $20.00, in addition to the CDL class fee | dmv.nh.gov |
| New Jersey | $125 commercial examination test receipt fee, non-refundable | nj.gov |
| New Mexico | $10 | mvd.newmexico.gov |
| New York | $10 application fee, covers all written tests taken at the same time | dmv.ny.gov |
| North Carolina | $25.50 | ncdot.gov |
| North Dakota | $15, or $20 if non-domiciled | dot.nd.gov |
| Ohio | $31.50 for the commercial learner's permit (temporary permit) | bmv.ohio.gov |
| Oregon | $40.00 | oregon.gov |
| Pennsylvania | No separate permit fee: one permit and photo come with the upgrade fee below; extra permits cost more | pa.gov |
| Rhode Island | $73.50 | dmv.ri.gov |
| South Carolina | $2.50 plus a $15 application fee | dmv.sc.gov |
| South Dakota | $43.00 | sd.gov |
| Tennessee | $14.00 for a Class A permit, $13.00 for Class B or C; valid 1 year | tn.gov |
| Texas | $25, expires 180 days from issuance | dps.texas.gov |
| Utah | $52.00 fee, plus $9.00 per endorsement, paid before the knowledge tests that earn the permit | dld.utah.gov |
| Vermont | $18.00, valid 1 year | dmv.vermont.gov |
| Virginia | $3 | dmv.virginia.gov |
| Washington | $40 | dol.wa.gov |
| Wisconsin | $30 (valid 180 days) | wisconsindot.gov |
| Wyoming | $45 | dot.state.wy.us |
5. Hold the permit, train, then take the skills test
Federal rules say you must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test. The permit is valid for 180 days to a year depending on the state, usually with one renewal.
If this is your first Class A or B CDL, or your first passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement, you must also complete entry-level driver training with a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry before the skills test. The ELDT guide explains who it applies to and how it works.
The skills test has three parts: vehicle inspection, basic control skills and a road test, in a vehicle of the class you want. Pass all three and the state issues the CDL.
What you can and cannot do on a permit
A CLP holder may drive a commercial vehicle only with a CDL holder in the front seat who holds the right class and endorsements. The permit itself carries restrictions: no passengers other than the trainer and other trainees (P), no hazardous materials, and a tank vehicle must be empty or purged (N). Treat the permit as a learning licence, because that is exactly what it is.