All 50 states + DC

CDL permit requirements by state

Pick your state to see what the permit costs, what to bring, which tests you take and how long you have to pass the road test. Every state page links to its official sources, and every state has a free permit classroom.

Checked against official state sources on September 26, 2026

Compare every state

51 of 51 shown

State	Permit fee	Permit valid for	Wait before road test	Knowledge test language
Alabama	$36.25	360 days, not renewable	14 days	Not published
Alaska	$15	Check with DMV	14 days	Not published
Arizona	$25 (Class A or B)	Up to 12 months	14 days	Not published
Arkansas	Check with DFA	Up to 1 year, not renewable	14 days	Not published
California	$100 application fee (Class A or B)	180 days, renewable once	14 days	Not published
Colorado	$20	1 year, not renewable	14 days	English + Spanish
Connecticut	$20	1 year, not renewable	14 days	Not published
Delaware	$5	Up to 1 year	14 days	Not published
District of Columbia	$78	1 year, not renewable	30 days	English only
Florida	$0 + $6.25 service fee	Up to 1 year from your General Knowledge pass	14 days	English only
Georgia	$10	365 days	14 days	Not published
Hawaii	$30	180 days, renewable once	14 days	Not published
Idaho	$29	1 year	14 days	Not published
Illinois	$50	12 months	14 days	English only
Indiana	$17	1 year	14 days	Not published
Iowa	$12	1 year, not renewable	14 days	Not published
Kansas	$13	Check with DOV	14 days	Not published
Kentucky	$11 ($14 with REAL ID)	180 days, renewable once	14 days	Not published
Louisiana	Check with OMV	Up to 180 days, one free 180-day extension	14 days	Not published
Maine	Check with BMV	Up to 1 year	14 days	Not published
Maryland	$66	Check with MVA	14 days	Not published
Massachusetts	$30	180 days, renewable once for free	14 days	English + 2 other languages
Michigan	Check with SOS	Check with SOS	14 days	Not published
Minnesota	$26.75	180 days, renewable up to 1 year total	14 days	English only
Mississippi	$16	6 months	14 days	Not published
Missouri	$44	360 days, not renewable	14 days	English only
Montana	Check with MVD	1 year, not renewable	14 days (you can test on day 15)	Not published
Nebraska	$15	1 year	14 days	Not published
Nevada	Check with DMV	180 days, renewable	14 days	Not published
New Hampshire	$20 + class fee	180 days, renewable once	14 days	Not published
New Jersey	$125	180 days, renewable for $125	14 days	English + Spanish
New Mexico	$10	1 year; renewing means retaking all knowledge tests	14 days	Not published
New York	$10 application/test fee (license fee varies)	1 year	14 days	English + 3 other languages
North Carolina	$25.50	180 days, renewable once for 180 more	14 days	Not published
North Dakota	$15	Up to 1 year	14 days	English only
Ohio	$31.50	12 months	14 days	Not published
Oklahoma	Check with Service Oklahoma	1 year, not renewable	14 full days (test on day 15)	Not published
Oregon	$40	Check with DMV	14 days	English only
Pennsylvania	Check with PennDOT	1 year, not renewable	15 days	Not published
Rhode Island	$73.50	Up to 1 year, not renewable	14 days	Not published
South Carolina	$17.50 ($15 application + $2.50 permit)	1 year; renewing means retaking the knowledge tests	14 days	English only
South Dakota	Check with DPS	Up to 1 year	14 days	English only
Tennessee	$14 (Class A) · $13 (Class B or C)	1 year	14 days	Not published
Texas	$25	180 days, renewable once	14 days	English only
Utah	$52 application fee (no separate CLP fee)	180 days, renewable	14 days	English only
Vermont	$18	1 year, not renewable	14 days	Not published
Virginia	$3	1 year, not renewable	14 days	English + other languages (HazMat in English only)
Washington	$40	180 days, renewable once	14 days	English + 3 other languages
West Virginia	Check with DMV	Up to 1 year, not renewable	14 days	Not published
Wisconsin	$30	180 days, renewable	14 days	Not published
Wyoming	$45	365 days	14 days	Not published

The same in every state

These rules come from federal law, so they apply wherever you test. Your state page covers what changes from state to state.

Age

You can get a CLP at 18, but until you turn 21 you can only drive a commercial vehicle inside your own state. Hauling hazmat requires you to be 21.

Knowledge tests

Everyone takes General Knowledge. Class A adds Combination Vehicles, and anyone driving a truck with air brakes takes Air Brakes. You need at least 80% on each test.

14-day wait

You must hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills (road) test. Some states make you wait longer.

Driving on a CLP

A CDL holder with the right class and endorsements must sit in the front seat whenever you drive. Hazmat is never allowed on a CLP. With a passenger or school bus permit you can't carry passengers, and with a tank permit the tank must be empty.

Entry-Level Driver Training

You must finish ELDT with a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry before your Class A or B skills test. You do not need it to get the permit itself.

Medical card

You self-certify the kind of driving you will do. Most new drivers are 'non-excepted interstate' and need a DOT physical from a certified medical examiner, who now sends the results to your state electronically.

Clearinghouse check

Before issuing a CLP, your state checks FMCSA's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. A 'prohibited' status blocks the permit until return-to-duty is complete.

Not sure where to start?

The knowledge tests cover the same material in every state. Start the free guided study now and pick your state later.

Start studying free

We are not a government agency. Fees and rules change, so always confirm with your state licensing office before you go. If you spot something out of date, email tray@texascdlclass.com.