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Military CDL Waivers

​​​​​​​​​​Can I get a military CDL waiver?

If you have recent experience driving large trucks in the military, you may be eligible to obtain a North Carolina Commercial Driver License, or CDL, without retaking the skills or knowledge tests normally required.

Before you get started let’s see which waiver you qualify for. 

Does one of the qualifications below​ apply to you?

  • You are military personnel who holds or has held a Military Driver License with an approved Military Occupation Specialties Rating, or MOS. 

  • ​You are a service member who is currently licensed in North Carolina and are or were employed in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a Commercial Motor Vehicle within 1-year immediately before the date of application.

If you meet one of the qualifications above, you are eligible for the Even Exchange Program, which waives both the CDL skills and knowledge tests. 

Even Exchange Program

What if I'm not eligible for the Even Exchange Program?
If you’re not eligible for the Even Exchange Program, you can apply for the Military CDL Skills Waiver, which waives the CDL skills test only.​​​

Military CDL Skills Waiver ​​

Even Exchange Program

1. Gather your documents and fill out your online form

Have the documents below handy before you start your online application:

  • Copy of your military ID (Current Service Member)
  • Copy of your DD-214 (Veteran)
  • Copy of your military driving record
  • Copy of your Military Vehicle Operators Identification Card
  • 2-year driving record from previous state of issuance if North Carolina license has not been issued for more than 2 years
  • Commanding Officer’s name and military issued email address
  • Copy of DOT Medical Certificate (Form MCSA-5876)
  • Evidence that, during the 1-year period immediately prior to the application, you were regularly or are currently employed and designated in one MOS that fall under the Even Exchange Program

Apply for a CDL Skills Waiver

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2. NCDMV notifies you by email

Once your request is processed, NCDMV’s CDL Unit will reach out by email.

If approved, you’ll have 30 days from the date of contact to visit a DMV driver license office to be issued your commercial driver license.

Can I apply by mail?

Although online is the easiest and fastest way to complete this service, you can also apply for a CDL Skills Test waiver by mail.

​ Apply By Mail​

​

CDL Skills Test Waiver

1. Gather your documents and fill out your online form

Have the documents below handy before you start your online application:

  • Copy of your military ID (Current Service Member)
  • Copy of your DD-214 (Veteran)
  • Copy of your military driving record
  • Copy of your Military Vehicle Operators Identification Card
  • 2-year driving record from previous state of issuance if North Carolina license has not been issued for more than 2 years
  • Commanding Officer’s name and military issued email address

Apply for a CDL Skills Waiver

2. NCDMV notifies you by email

Once your request is processed, NCDMV’s CDL Unit will reach out by email.

If approved, you’ll have 30 days from the date of contact to visit a DMV driver license office to be issued your commercial driver license.

Can I apply by mail?

Although online is the easiest and fastest way to complete this service, you can also apply for a CDL Skills Test waiver by mail.

Apply By Mail​

Apply By Mail

1. Gather your documents and download the form

Depending on what type of waiver you would like, you will need different documents.

For both CDL Skills Test Waiver and Even Exchange Program:

  • Copy of your military ID (Current Service Member)
  • Copy of your DD-214 (Veteran)
  • Copy of your military driving record
  • Copy of your Military Vehicle Operators Identification Card
  • 2-year driving record from previous state of issuance if North Carolina license has not been issued for more than 2 years
  • Commanding Officer’s name and military issued email address

You will need the following additional documents if you are applying for the Even Exchange Program:

  • Copy of DOT Medical Certificate (Form MCSA-5876)
  • Evidence that, during the 1-year period immediately prior to the application, you were regularly or are currently employed and designated in one of the Military Occupation Specialties (MOS’s) that fall under the Even Exchange Program

Download the form

​

2. Mail your form

Mail your form and documents to:

NCDMV CDL Section
3177 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27697

3. NCDMV notifies you by email​

Once your request is processed, NCDMV’s CDL Unit will reach out by email.

If approved, you’ll have 30 days from the date of contact to visit a DMV driver license office to be issued your commercial driver license.

Questions?

For questions about the commercial driver license waiver process for military personnel, call (919) 861-3319.

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11/2/2025 12:27 PM

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