Louisiana · OMV

How to get your CDL permit in Louisiana

In Louisiana you apply for a CLP at an OMV field office once you are 18 and hold a Louisiana license. The permit lasts up to 180 days and can be extended once for free.

Last checked September 26, 2026 against official OMV sources

Start the free Louisiana permit classroom Official Louisiana CDL manual

Minimum age: 18 (in-state only) · 21 to cross state lines
Permit fee: Check with OMV
Permit valid for: Up to 180 days, one free 180-day extension
Wait before road test: 14 days
Knowledge test language: Not published
Passing score: 80%

Step by step

1Be at least 18 and hold a valid Louisiana driver's license (Class A, B, C, D or E).
2Get a DOT physical from a medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry.
3Fill out the CDL Supplemental Form (DPSMV 2211) and self-certify your type of driving.
4Visit an OMV field office with original ID, Social Security and Louisiana residency documents.
5Pass the General Knowledge test and any class or endorsement tests you need to get your CLP.
6Practice with a qualified CDL holder for at least 14 days.
7Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) with a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry if required.
8Take your skills test, in English, with the OMV or an approved third-party tester.

What to bring

Your valid Louisiana driver's license
Proof of identity plus one additional form of ID (originals only, no photocopies)
Social Security card, W-2 or SSA printout
Proof of Louisiana residency, such as a utility bill, lease, voter registration or insurance
CDL Supplemental Form DPSMV 2211
Medical certificate from a National Registry examiner

Medical card

You self-certify your type of driving, and you can check your status with the OMV's online Self-Certification Inquiry. The OMV has an online page for submitting your medical certificate, and says Louisiana meets electronic National Registry requirements as of September 15, 2026.

Fees

CLP extensionOne extension allowed.	Free
Skills testState maximum; third-party testers are used.	Up to $60
CDL (Class A, B or C)$76.50 for New Orleans residents.	$61.50
CDL application feeNon-refundable.	$15
Each endorsement	$7.50

Fees change. Confirm the current amount with OMV before you go.

The tests you'll take

General Knowledge (everyone)
Air Brakes (if your truck has air brakes)
Combination Vehicles (Class A)
Endorsement tests such as Passenger, School Bus, Tank, Doubles/Triples or HazMat, if you want them

Testing in Louisiana

By state law, the CDL skills test is given in English with no interpreters.
Skills tests are given by the OMV and approved third-party testers.

Study for these tests in the Louisiana classroom

Good to know in Louisiana

Your CLP can be extended once for free, up to 360 days total from first issue.
New Orleans residents pay a higher CDL fee ($76.50 vs. $61.50).
The OMV's posted CDL manual is the 2017 edition.

Non-domiciled applicants

Federal rules since March 16, 2026 limit non-domiciled permits to H-2A, H-2B and E-2 visa holders. In Louisiana you must apply in person, can't get HazMat, and Canadian and Mexican drivers aren't eligible.

Confirm with OMV before you go

We couldn't confirm these from official sources, so we left them out rather than guess:

The CLP fee. Confirm with the OMV before you go.
Knowledge test and retest fees, and any field office service fee.
Which languages the knowledge tests are offered in.
Whether testing needs an appointment.
How long you must wait to retake a failed test.
The vision standard you must meet.
The OMV's non-domiciled page still lists work permits (EADs) as acceptable, which conflicts with the 2026 federal rule. Confirm before applying.

Federal rules that apply in every state(show)

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.

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Official sources

This page is a study aid, not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Department of Public Safety & Corrections. Rules and fees change, so always check with OMV before you apply.