Applying for a Commercial Driver's License or Commercial Learner's Permit
A commercial driver's license (CDL) allows you to operate a commercial vehicle in Virginia and possibly other states, depending on your qualifications. To obtain a CDL or commercial learner's permit (CLP) in Virginia, you must meet all requirements for a Virginia driver's license.
You may hold either a driver's license or a CDL, but not both.
You must apply for your CDL or CLP in person at a DMV customer service center. For additional information about CDL licensing, please refer to CDL classifications, endorsements and restrictions.
Age Requirements
You must be at least at 18 to obtain an intrastate CDL and age 21 to obtain a CDL.
Identification and Residency Requirements
If you apply for a CDL or commercial learner's permit and DMV records show you have not held a Virginia driver's license or ID card in the past, you must present documents proving your eligibility.
- If you are age 19 or older, you must show two proofs of identity, one proof of legal presence, one proof of Virginia residency, and proof of your social security number. You will also be required to present a document to show that you are eligible under federal requirements.
- If you are under 19 years of age, you will be required to show one proof of identity, one proof of legal presence, one proof of Virginia residency, and proof of your social security number. You will also be required to present a document to show that you are eligible under federal requirements.
Use the interactive Document Guide to determine which documents you will need to bring to DMV when you apply.
IMPORTANT: As of July 1, 2015, all applicants for an original, renewal, or replacement CDL or CIP will be required to meet additional document requirements.
Documents accepted by DMV as proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency and social security number may change without prior notice.
Medical Certification Requirements
All CDL applicants must certify either that they are in compliance with the federal and Virginia motor carrier safety regulations or that they do not have to comply with them. You may refer to the Code of Federal Regulations for an explanation of these requirements or refer to Medical Certification Requirements.
If you must meet the federal or Virginia motor carrier safety regulations, you must provide a valid Department of Transportation Medical Examiner's Certificate. This form must be completed by an exminer on the National Registry of Medical Examiners.
Driver Education Requirements
If you are 18 or older, are applying for a CDL, and have not previously held a CDL, you must either hold a valid Virginia driver's license or have satisfied all the requirements necessary to obtain such a license. In addition, you must:
- pass a state-approved driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles and hold a commercial learner's permit for at least 14 days, or
- if you did not complete the driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles, hold a commercial learner's permit for at least 30 days before taking the CDL road skills test at DMV.
Selective Service Registration
Generally, males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to send your personal information to the Selective Service unless you have already registered.
DMV is prohibited from issuing any type of driver's license or ID card to an applicant who is required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service registration, visit the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov or call 847-688-6888, TTY: 847-688-2567.
[Back to Top]Completing the Application
When applying for a CDL or commercial learner's permit (CLP), you must complete an application for a Virginia driver's license (form DL 1P). You may complete this form before or after coming to DMV. Use your full legal name, as abbreviations and nicknames will not be accepted. For your convenience, you also may apply to register to vote, change your voter registration address, or indicate your desire to become an organ donor when you apply for your CDL.
Falsifying information on any driver's license or identification card application is a criminal offense. Altering or assisting a person with improperly or fraudulently obtaining a driver's license, learner's permit, CDL, commercial learner's permit or ID card are also criminal offenses.
[Back to Top]HAZMAT Endorsement
Applicants for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HAZMAT) must be fingerprinted for a background check. The non-refundable fee is $83.00.
Applicants using Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®) comparability for a reduced fee hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsement do not have to be fingerprinted. The non-refundable fee is $41.00.
Duration of a CDL or Commercial Learner's Permit
Normally, your Virginia CDL is valid for eight years and expires on your birthday. Your first license will expire on your birthday in the eighth year of license validity.
Individuals required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry (Virginia Code Chapter 9 of Title 9.1) (Registry) will be issued licenses valid for five years. They are not eligible for a Virginia commercial driver's license/commercial learner's permit with an "S" endorsement during any period in which registration with the Registry is required. In addition, they are also not eligible for a Virginia CDL or CLP with a "P" endorsement unless it bears a restriction code prohibiting the driver from transporting children for school and/or daycare activities.
For many individuals domiciled in another country but authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, a CLP/CDL will carry the notation "non-domiciled CDL" or "non-domiciled CLP" and will be valid only for the amount of time that the individual is legally permitted to stay in the U.S. These individuals will not be eligible to receive a CLP/CDL if their authorized stay in the U.S. is less than 30 days from the date of their application. The expiration of the CDL will be the same as the expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence. If the document does not show an expiration date, the CDL will be valid for one year.
Commercial learner's permits are issued for a period of 180 days and may be renewed one time without testing. Individuals temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. and who have fewer than 180 days remaining, will receive a commercial learner's permit with the same expiration date as shown on the document used to prove legal presence.
[Back to Top]CDL Fees
Commercial driver's license fees are based on how long your license will be valid (refer to the DMV Fee Chart for details). A standard CDL with no endorsements costs $64.00 and is valid for 8 years.
Endorsement(s) cost an additional $1.00 per year. A commercial learner's permit (CIP) costs $3.00.
[Back to Top]Testing
Tests may include a vision screening, CDL knowledge exams and a CDL road skills test. You may also need to take the two-part driver's license knowledge exam. A DMV representative will tell you which tests you need to take.
For additional information, refer to the CDL skills test eligibility requirements.
[Back to Top]Receiving Your License
Once you pass your required testing, your CDL or commercial learner's permit will be mailed to the address in DMV's records. DMV has converted to a new secure process for issuing driver's licenses and ID cards, and has discontinued issuing them over the counter. The U.S. Postal Service will not forward driver's licenses, so make sure that DMV has your current, correct address on record. If you have moved, notify DMV right away.
[Back to Top]Additional Information
Applying for a Driver's License
Persons convicted of certain sexual offenses (as listed in Va. Code § 46.2-323) must register with the Virginia Department of State Police as provided in § 19.2-298.1.