Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Requirements by State

CDLs are issued by each state's DMV or DOT to uniform FMCSA standards. Classes A, B, C cover combos, heavy vehicles, and hazmat loads. The exact hours, fees and exams are set by each state's board - here is the state-by-state breakdown, sourced from official licensing authorities.

Last updated August 7, 2026. Licensing rules change - confirm with the official board before applying.

National exam basics

CDL standards are set federally by the FMCSA and are uniform across states; each state DMV administers the knowledge and skills tests.

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) requirements by state

AlabamaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…AlaskaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…ArizonaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…ArkansasFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…CaliforniaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…ColoradoFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…ConnecticutFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…DelawareFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…District of ColumbiaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…FloridaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…GeorgiaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…HawaiiFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…IdahoFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…IllinoisFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…IndianaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…IowaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…KansasFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…KentuckyFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…LouisianaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…MaineFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…MarylandFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…MassachusettsFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…MichiganFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…MinnesotaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…MississippiFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…MissouriFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…MontanaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…NebraskaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…NevadaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…New HampshireFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…New JerseyFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…New MexicoFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…New YorkFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…North CarolinaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…North DakotaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…OhioFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…OklahomaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…OregonFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…PennsylvaniaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…Rhode IslandFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…South CarolinaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…South DakotaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…TennesseeFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…TexasFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…UtahFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…VermontFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…VirginiaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…WashingtonFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…West VirginiaFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for first-…WisconsinFMCSA Entry-Level Training required before the…WyomingFMCSA Entry-Level Training required for new dr…

FAQ

What are the CDL classes?

Class A covers combination vehicles such as tractor trailers, Class B covers heavy straight trucks and buses, and Class C covers smaller vehicles carrying hazardous materials or 16 or more passengers.

Do I need CDL training before I can test?

Since October 2022 the FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training rule requires new drivers to complete training at a registered school before taking the skills test.

What is a DOT medical certificate?

Drivers who cross state lines or are not excepted must carry a medical certificate from an accredited physician, renewed every two years.

If I move, does my CDL transfer?

You must get a new CDL in your new home state, usually within 30 days. Most states waive the full test but may require a knowledge exam.