How do you get a commercial drivers license

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• myRMV 

• This page, Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL), is offered by
• Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

A commercial driver's license (CDL) allows a customer to operate a commercial motor vehicle. The operation of motor vehicles is regulated by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Learn how to obtain, renew, and replace your commercial driver's license and more.
Attention Commercial Drivers: Effective immediately and until April 12, 2020 (or sooner, if the declared national emergency is terminated), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has waived most rules and regulations concerning transportation and licensing for commercial drivers if they are engaged in the transportation of goods and supplies related to relief efforts for the COVID19 National Emergency. These exceptions do not include provisions for driving with: (1) Controlled Substances, alcohol or testing of their use; (2) the federal Commercial Driver Licensing requirements; (3) insurance requirements; (4) hazardous materials regulations; (5) applicable size and weight requirements; and (6) any other requirements not specified in 49 CFR § 390.23. For more information, please see the attached FMCSA Emergency Declaration.

Some military sites require commercial delivery drivers to have a REAL ID to be allowed onsite. Commercial drivers are advised to check before visiting a military site to determine if this is a requirement.

Effective February 7, 2022: If you are applying for a CDL for the first time or adding a Hazmat, Passenger, or School Bus endorsement for the first time, you must complete entry-level driver training (ELDT) prior to taking a CDL road test. Hazmat ELDT is required prior to taking the Hazardous Materials knowledge test. The training provider must be registered on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Go to the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) FAQ for more information about the ELDT requirement.

Effective May 14, 2022: The vehicle and traffic law and the transportation law was amended to establish a commercial driver's license (CDL) class A young adult training program. Please visit Commercial Driver’s License Class A Young Adult Training Program for more information including who can participate, training requirements, FAQs and more. See the full text of the law.

Important information for stretch limo drivers  

NYS commercial driver’s license standards require drivers of stretch limousines which carry nine (9) or more passengers including the driver to hold, at a minimum, a CDL Class C license, with a Passenger (P) endorsement.

NOTE: A road test is required to obtain the minimum class license.

Get a CDL for the first time

A commercial driver license is required to operate large or heavy vehicles. This includes, but is not limited to, dump trucks, tractor trailers, buses, and stretch limos.

• Get your first Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• Schedule a road test

If you already have a CDL

You can

• Check driving privilege and Medical Certification status through MyDMV
• Check mailing status of your recently ordered CDL license or permit
• Renew your CDL
• Replace your CDL

Medical certification

Federal regulations require that every commercial driver certify to the type of commercial driving they perform. 

• Medical certification requirements
  
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about medical certification
• CDL downgrades

Endorsements, restrictions and waivers

• Endorsement and restriction codes
• Hazardous material (hazmat) endorsement
  • Renew a hazmat endorsement
• Hazmat (H) or hazmat/Tank (X) endorsement
• School bus driver (S) endorsement
• A3 restriction
• K restriction
• Medical variances and the new V restriction
• Military skills test waiver

Motor Carriers

• Carriers who employ bus drivers (Article 19A)
• International Registration Plan (IRP)
• One-stop Credentialing and Registration (OSCAR)
• Motor carrier safety enforcement (PRISM)

Resources

DMV

• Interstate or intrastate driving
• Excepted or non-excepted driving
• CDL, hazmat and tow truck manuals
• Carriers who employ bus drivers (Article 19A)
• Covered farm vehicles
• Escort driver certification
• Enhanced, REAL ID and Standard commercial license

Outside of DMV

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• NY State Department of Transportation (DOT)

What is a commercial class license?

What does it take to get a CDL in Indiana?

How do I get my CDL in Nebraska?

How do I get my CDL in Texas 2022?