CDL Requirements

Commercial Driver License (CDL) Information

Find information on CDL Classes, Endorsements, steps on getting a CDL, study materials, cost, and steps to renewing a CDL.

• Hazardous Material Requirements
• Medical Certificate Requirements
• Self-Certification Affidavit
• Designation as a North Dakota Covered Farm Vehicle (SFN 60860)
• Application for CDL Knowledge and Skills Test Waiver-Military
  • Instructions
• Seasonal CDL or Agri-Business License
• Application for North Dakota Seasonal License (SFN 16275)
• Motor Carrier Services
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
• Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)

CDL Classes

Group A (Combination Vehicle)

Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more,
provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Group B (Heavy Straight Vehicle)

Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more,
or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Group C (Small Vehicle)

Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of Group A nor Group B,
but is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver or is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous which require the motor vehicle to be placarded. This includes any quantity of chemical or biological material or agent posing a threat to national security, including toxins

CDL Endorsements

Double/Triple Trailers (T)

Required to operate a commercial vehicle towing two or three trailers.(Requires a knowledge test.)

Hazardous Materials (H)

Required to operate a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous material that requires a placarding by federal regulation or any quantity of material listed as a select agent or toxin according to 42 CFR part 73. (Federal Background check and knowledge test required each time an H endorsement is added or renewed.)

Passenger Vehicles (P)

Required to operate a passenger bus designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver. (Requires knowledge and road test in a representative vehicle.)
If you road test in a bus over 26,000 GVWR (but not a tractor-bus trailer combination), you will be restricted to "No Class A Passenger Bus".
A road test in a Class A Bus is required to obtain a valid license to operate one tractor-bus trailer combination vehicle.

School Bus (S)

Required to operate a school bus designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and is used to transport pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school related events.
School bus does not include a bus used as a common carrier.
(Requires knowledge and road test in representative school bus equipped with flashing red lights for loading/unloading school children.)
If you road test in a school bus under 26,001 GVWR, you will be restricted to "No Class A or B Passenger Bus".

Tank Vehicles (N)

Required to operate a commercial vehicle used to haul liquids or gaseous materials within one or more tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 or more gallons. (Required knowledge test.)

Airbrake Restrictions (L or Z)

North Dakota does not classify Airbrakes as an endorsement,
but will restrict the CDL to “No Airbrake Equipped CMV” or “No Full Airbrake Equipped CMV”.
To avoid the restriction, the driver must have successfully passed both a knowledge and road test in a vehicle equipped with either a full or partial airbrake system.

How do I get a CDL

In order to obtain a CDL, you must:

1. Be 21 years old to cross state lines, 18-20 years old to apply for an intra-state CDL, or at 16 years old, you may test for a CDL restricted to custom harvesting operations only.
2. Read, write and speak English.
3. Must meet all Federal Medical Requirements in 49 CFR 391. Some of the medical conditions which may disqualify an individual are:
   1. Heart condition
   2. Hearing impairment
   3. Worse than 20/40 visual acuity in either eye
   4. Diabetes controlled with insulin
   5. Epilepsy
   6. Loss of or loss of use of a limb
   7. Seizure disorder requiring anti-seizure medication
4. ND Driver License Sites, apply in person, pass the required knowledge test(s) for the CDL Class to be driven, and purchase a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP). Prior to testing, you will always need to present your current Driver License, proof of legal presence, proof of residence address, make an application, and pass an eye examination. ID Checklist .
5. Prior to being eligible to complete your road test you are required to complete the federally required Entry Level Driver Training. For more information on this requirement visit: Training Provider Registry (dot.gov)
6. Demonstrate your ability to operate the vehicle by passing a road test in a representative commercial vehicle. A road test cannot be scheduled without a valid CLP which must have been earned at least 14 days prior.
7. Online Commercial Driver License Guide

What do I need to study

You will need to study the Commercial Drivers License Manual to prepare you for the required tests. Section 1 in the manual contains a chart indicating which sections of the manual you will need to study for the type of commercial vehicle you plan to drive.

CDL Exemptions

1. Age 15 licensed driver may drive a farm motor vehicle within 150 miles of the drivers farm when transporting agriculture products or farm supplies, provided the gross weight does not exceed 50,000 pounds.
2. Any two-axle, tandem axle, triple-axle, or truck-tractor farm vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer transporting agricultural products.
   farm machines or farm supplies to or from a farm within 150 miles of the person’s farm.
   Farm vehicle may tow a trailer semi-trailer or farm trailer except double, triple trailers or if under 18 years of age, a truck tractor.
3. Any farm vehicle operated by a farmer may transport hazardous material within 150 miles of the farm without a hazardous material endorsement on the operator’s license.
4. The farm exemption applies to farmers from adjoining states if there is a reciprocity agreement. North Dakota has reciprocity agreements for Farm CDLs with South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming within 150 miles of the farm.
5. For more information, contact Highway Patrol.

How much does it cost to get a CDL

Fees For ID Cards, Licenses, Permits, and Driving Tests.

Item	Cost
Knowledge Test	$5 per attempt (One attempt allowed per day)
Commercial Learner Permit	$15 ($20 for non-domiciled)
Endorsements	$3 Each
Road Test	$5

Renewing Your CDL

Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations require all Commercial Driver License (CDL) drivers to present proof of citizenship, lawful permanent residence, or legal presence (temporary status)  AND proof of North Dakota residence address (place of domicile).

When you come in to renew your license you will need to show the Driver License Examiner at least ONE of the Proof of Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residence, or Legal Presence documents listed below, your North Dakota CDL license, and at least ONE of the Proof of North Dakota Residence Address (place of domicile) documents listed below.

Proof of Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residence, or Legal Presence in the United States - Only these documents are deemed acceptable.

• U.S. birth certificate (state certified; Government issued)
• Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S passport card
• Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card
• Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Card (Temporary Status)
• Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with I-94 (Temporary Status)
• I-94 Card stamped Refugee or Asylee (Temporary Status)

Note: No photocopies. No hospital certificates. All documents must be original or certified copies only.

Proof of North Dakota Residence Address (place of domicile). All documents must contain your name and physical residence address. Post Office boxes are NOT acceptable for residence address. You must present your North Dakota CDL license and one of the documents listed below:

• A government issued property tax form
• Mortgage/Lease/Rental document
• Homeowners/renter’s insurance policy
• Utility bill (electricity, gas, water, sewer, cable, recycle)
• Non-cellular phone bill