Getting Your Commercial Driver License (CDL)
Getting Your Commercial Driver License (CDL)
Contents
Ready to drive commercial vehicles in Arizona? Here's what you need to know to get your CDL.
Classes of Licenses
Arizona issues three classes of CDLs: Class A, B, and C. Each class authorizes you to operate different types of vehicles based on weight ratings.
Understanding Weight Ratings
Two important terms before reviewing license classes:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum recommended total weight assigned by the manufacturer, including the vehicle and its load.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): The total of your vehicle's GVWR plus the GVWR of any trailer or semitrailer you're towing.
Class A - Combination Vehicle
- GCWR: 26,001+ lbs
- Towed Vehicle GVWR: 10,001+ lbs
- A vehicle towing another vehicle with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds, when the GCWR is 26,001 pounds or more
- Any vehicle requiring a Class B, C, or D license
Class B - Heavy Straight Vehicle
- GVWR: 26,001+ lbs
- Can Tow Vehicle with GVWR: 10,000 lbs or less
- A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more
- A vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more towing a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less
- Any vehicle requiring a Class C or D license
Class C - Small Vehicle
- GVWR (or GCWR if towing): 26,000 lbs or less
- Designed to transport 16+ passengers or hazardous materials
- A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less
- A vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less towing another vehicle provided the GCWR is 26,000 pounds or less
- Any vehicle requiring hazardous materials placards
- A bus or school bus
- Any vehicle requiring a Class D license
For more information on deciding what class of CDL you may need, refer to Section 1 of the CDL manual.
Requirements for a CDL
Arizona Residency
Your state of residence is where you truly live - your permanent home and where you plan to return when you're away. You must call Arizona home to get an Arizona CDL.
Moving to Arizona? You have 30 days to change your CDL after you move here. Federal and state laws require that you surrender all previous license credentials.
Have an out-of-state driver license? Change it to an Arizona Driver License before you start the CDL application process.
Age Requirements
The minimum age for a CDL is 18.
Exceptions:
If you are under the age of 21, you may apply for an intrastate CDL that is valid only in Arizona. Drivers under the age of 21 are prohibited from transporting hazardous materials.
Documentation Requirements
You must provide:
- Proof that your presence in the United States is authorized under federal law
- Two proofs of residence address
- Your Social Security Number
See CDL documentation requirements for a full list of acceptable documents.
Note: Per FMCSA regulations, a Tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs Affidavit of Birth is not acceptable as valid proof of identity when applying for a CDL. Applicants who have this document must apply for a Delayed Birth Certificate with Vital Records.
Social Security Number Verification
You must provide your Social Security number. It will be used to verify your identity and to comply with federal and state child-support enforcement laws. It will not be used as your license number.
Medical Certification
You must have a physical performed by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
Your certified medical examiner will submit your Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) electronically. Allow 24 hours for this submission to be made before visiting an MVD office.
Arizona drivers can sign in to AZ MVD Now to check the status of your MEC under the “My Credential” section.
Note: If you are restricted to drive only within Arizona (Intrastate, indicated by a K restriction), continue submitting the paper MEC and long form to MVD for review.
The Medical Examiner Certificate is to be renewed every 24 months or sooner, as determined by the medical examiner or by regulation. Failure to maintain a current certificate on file with MVD will result in the suspension and revocation of your CDL privileges.
Steps to Get a First-Time CDL
Step 1: Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
If you are a first-time CDL applicant, you’ll need to get a CLP to operate a vehicle requiring a CDL on the highway. The CLP is valid for a maximum of 12 months.
To get a CLP, you must:
- Meet the Documentation Requirements, including your Medical Examiner’s Certificate, and have them on hand before you pay any fees or take any tests.
Note: Your “proof of one year of driving experience” is already available in our database for drivers with an Arizona license.
Out-of-state considerations:
- Out-of-state CLPs are not transferable.
- Your out-of-state driver license must have been issued more than one year ago OR you must provide a motor vehicle record (MVR) issued by another state that is less than 30 days old and shows proof of at least one year of driving history.
- No third-party MVRs will be accepted.
- Complete a Commercial Driver License Application at an MVD office.
- Successfully complete all applicable knowledge testing:
Testing hours at an MVD office are from 7:30am-3:00pm.
- Use the Commercial Driver License Manual as a study reference.
- You’ll take all knowledge tests during the same visit.
- You must pay for the class of license prior to taking the test.
- Knowledge tests require a minimum score of 80 percent to pass the exam. Applicants are required to wait until the next business day to retake any tests.
The following items are not allowed in the testing area:
- Electronic devices
- Any person other than the applicant (Children are not allowed in the test room area and must wait in the lobby, supervised by an adult who is accompanying you.)
The following may be brought into the testing area, but you will be instructed to store them in a designated area away from the testing computer:
- Backpacks, bags, and purses
- Books, paper, pens, pencils, etc.
Note: As a CLP holder, any restriction(s) on your MEC, must also be reflected on your current driving credential. This will require you to purchase a duplicate license to ensure both credential restriction(s) match.
Step 2: Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) if required
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires ELDT training from a certified provider before taking your skills test if you are:
- Obtaining a Class A or B CDL for the first time
- Upgrading from Class B to Class A
- Getting a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time
ELDT training includes curriculum in three areas: theory, range and road.
Step 3: Complete the road/skills test
After you've had your CLP for at least 14 days and completed any required ELDT training, schedule your skills test appointment.
To request an appointment:
- Visit any MVD office
- Or contact MVD
Once your request has been submitted, the CDL tester will contact you to schedule an appointment for your desired location.
- Casa Grande
- Flagstaff
- Goodyear (M)
- Holbrook (M)
- Kingman
- Payson
- Prescott
- Show Low
- Southeast Mesa (M)
- Tucson (M)
- Sierra Vista
- Yuma (M)
* (M) are locations that have transitioned to the new Modernized CDL Skills Test.
In addition to MVD CDL offices, there are many public and private organizations in Arizona that have MVD-certified testers who are authorized to administer the road/skills test to CDL applicants.
Preparation:
- You’ll need to provide your own vehicle. (If testing for the passenger or school bus endorsement, you must test in the size of bus you intend to drive.)
- Sections 11, 12, and 13 in the CDL manual explain what to expect during a skills test. (Or section 11M, 12M, and 13 for the Modernized version.)
CDL Skills Test Waiver for Military Personnel
Eligible military personnel or veterans may have the CDL skills tests waived when applying for a CDL.
The applicant must meet these two conditions:
- Is either on active duty or separated within the last year under honorable conditions
- Certify that he or she has operated a commercial motor vehicle or equivalent for at least two years immediately preceding discharge or applying for the waiver
Procedure
- Fill out the application for Military Skills Test Waiver. Some portions of the waiver must be completed by a commanding officer.
- Take your completed Military Skills Test Waiver form to an MVD office to take the CDL knowledge test.
- The customer must meet all applicable eligibility, identity and authorized presence requirements.
Endorsements
Hazardous Materials Endorsement
To apply for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME), follow these steps:
- Complete ELDT training from a certified provider.
- Visit an MVD office to complete a CDL application.
- Pass all required knowledge tests. (A new knowledge test is required for all original or renewal applicants.) Test questions are pulled from the Hazardous Materials section of the Commercial Driver License Manual.
- Apply to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
TSA will not accept handwritten HME applications.
After completing the road/skills tests, you may choose to receive a CDL without the HME for use until TSA approval is received.
Note: All first-time HME applicants must complete the TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA) before the HME is issued on the credential. (The HME is not allowed on a CDL permit.)
After receiving a TSA STA approval email, you will return to an MVD office for issuance of the HME. Please note that STA approval may take up to 45 days.
The STA is valid for up to five years from the date of approval. MVD will notify you 60 days before the expiration of the STA, not the expiration of your license. In most instances the dates of expiration of the license and the STA will not match.
Bus and School Bus Driver Endorsements
New Applicants
New applicants must take the CDL test in a bus or a school bus to obtain a passenger and/or school bus endorsement. School bus drivers must have both the passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements to operate a school bus.
Existing CDL Holders
If you are an existing CDL holder who wishes to add a passenger bus (P), school bus (S) or both endorsements to a current CDL, you must obtain a CLP with the passenger and/or school bus endorsement for the class of bus you intend to drive (fees for the class of bus will apply).
Skills Test
After you’ve held the CLP for 14 days, you can then take a CDL skills test (pre-trip, basic controls, and road) in the appropriate class of bus or school bus.
Skills Test Fee:
- New Applicants: $25
- Existing CDL Holders: $5
Note: If you test in a passenger vehicle or school bus with a GVWR under 26,001 pounds, you will receive a restriction on your license. This restriction prohibits you from operating a passenger vehicle or school bus with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds and over.
Fees for New CDL Applicants
New or Transfer from Another State
- Class A or B: $25.00
- Class C (must include a P endorsement or HME): $12.50
CLP Fees
- Class A or B permit, no endorsements: $25.00
- Class C permit (must have a P endorsement; HME not allowed on Class C permits): $12.50
- Duplicate permit: $2.00
- Duplicate Class D license (required to add any applicable MEC restriction(s) to match with your CLP): $12.00
- Upgrade to Class D license (this only applies to applicants who currently hold a Class G license): $12:00
Endorsement Fees
- Doubles/triples trailers endorsement: $10.00
- Tank endorsement: $10.00
- HME: $10.00
- Motorcycle endorsement: $7.00
- School bus endorsement: No fee
- Passenger endorsement: $10.00
Required Road/Skills Tests
- Class A or B vehicle: $25.00
- Class C vehicle: $12.50
- Passenger or school bus endorsement: $5.00 (when adding to an existing CDL)
Other Application Fees
- UnCertified CDL Motor Vehicle Record: $3.00
- Extended Certified CDL Motor Vehicle Record (contains necessary medical and HAZMAT information): $5.00
- Returned Check Fee: $25.00
Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order (payable to Motor Vehicle Division) for most fees; credit cards may be used at some offices. Returned check fees must be paid by certified funds.
Additional Resources
Federal Exemptions
To apply for or obtain information regarding federal driver exemptions, please call 202.366.4001 or visit FMCSA's Driver Exemptions website.
Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate
To apply for or obtain information regarding the federal SPE certificate due to a limb impairment or amputation, please call 404.327.7371 or visit FMCSA's SPE Certificate Program website.
National Driver Register and CDLIS
Arizona is a member of the National Driver Register, a nationwide computer system providing information about problem drivers. When you apply for an Arizona driver license, the information from your application is checked against this system. If you have outstanding or unresolved actions in any other state, or you provide false information on your application, the application process will stop, or if issued, your Arizona driver license will be canceled. There are no refunds of application fees once a credential has been issued.
The Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) is a nationwide computer system providing information about CDL holders. When you apply for a new CDL or transfer a CDL from out of state, your application is checked against this system. Just like the National Driver Register, if you have outstanding or unresolved actions in any other state or you provide false information on your application, your Arizona CDL will be canceled.
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