Do I need a commercial driver license?
Commercial driver licenses are required for drivers – paid or volunteer – who operate vehicles in North Carolina that are designed or used to transport passengers or property.
They are not required to drive recreational vehicles, military equipment, fire and/or emergency equipment or certain farm vehicles, but a driver must have a regular license of the appropriate class.
In addition to a commercial driver license, a special endorsement is required to haul hazardous materials, transport passengers, drive school buses and school activity buses, pull double trailers or drive tank vehicles.
What are the requirements to get a CDL?
- Must be at least 18 years old (21 for operations in interstate commerce or hazardous material endorsement)
- Possess a valid Class A, B or C driver license (not suspended, disqualified or revoked)
- Obtain a commercial learner’s permit.
What documents do I need to get a commercial learner permit?
You must take the following documents to an NCDMV driver license office:
Valid driver license
A Social Security card or
one document proving they have a Social Security number
For non-U.S. citizens,
one document issued by the U.S. government indicating legal presence
One document proving liability insurance coverage from a provider licensed to do business in North Carolina
Download Document Checklist
What are the steps I must take to get a CDL?
Before you can get a CDL, you must follow these steps to get a commercial learner's permit:
Study the
N.C. Commercial Driver License Manual
Take the required vision, traffic sign recognition and CDL knowledge tests at your local NCDMV driver license office.
Your permit will arrive within 20 business days. You'll receive a Temporary Driving Certificate to use until your permit arrives.
A commercial learner permit is valid for 180 days and is eligible for one renewal, which is also valid for 180 days. You must have your commercial learner's permit for at least 14 days before you can take your skills text.
- You'll need to complete the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) course from a school listed on the federal
Training Provider Registry. This classroom and behind-the-wheel training usually takes about 4 weeks.
- Call 919-715-7000 to schedule an appointment to take the CDL road skills test. You must provide your own commercial motor vehicle for skills test. The vehicle must be representative of the type of license for which you are applying. Bring your valid driver license and your unexpired commercial learner's permit.
Upon passing your skills test, your CDL will arrive within 20 business days. You’ll receive a Temporary Driving Certificate to use until your CDL arrives.
What are the different types of commercial driver licenses?
Commercial Class A | Required for any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more (provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is more than 10,000 pounds) |
Commercial Class B | Required for any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds |
Commercial Class C | Required for any vehicle not described in Commercial Class A or Commercial Class B but is: - Designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver
- Used to transport hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded under 49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F
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What endorsements do I need?
| CDL | Required to haul hazardous materials, transport passengers, drive school buses and school activity buses, pull double trailers or drive tank vehicles. |
| School bus/activity bus | - Six months of driving experience required
- Class B or Class C commercial driver license required
- be held for 14 days prior to skills testing
- Valid for 180 days
- Permits 30 days past expiration date, the driver is required to retake all written tests
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Is medical certification required?
When applying for a commercial driver license you will be asked to verify the type of vehicle you operate or expect to operate as well as to provide medical certification to NCDMV.
Depending on the type of commerce you operate in, you might be required to have medical cards, which must be present at the time of both the original application and renewal.
If questions arise about your physical condition, NCDMV may require you to submit a completed medical report, before or after certification, provided by NCDMV's Driver License Section.
Learn More About Medical Certification
What are the fees?
You can pay
fees associated with commercial driver licenses through a variety of common payment methods. The type of license you receive and the fee associated with it depends on the type of motor vehicle they will operate.
Are there waivers for military personnel?
NCDMV may waive the commercial driver license skills test for military personnel who meet the certain requirements.
Learn more about Military CDL Waivers
What if my license was suspended and revoked?
To avoid
suspension and revocation, a commercial driver license holder must follow
rules to maintain their commercial driver license and school bus driving privileges and comply with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
How else can I complete a security threat assessment?
Applicants for hazardous materials endorsements may use their Transportation Worker Identification Credential security threat assessment as a comparable security threat assessment during the application process.
Learn more about the security threat assessment:
Need more information?
Learn More