Applying for a Commercial Driver's License or CDL Instruction Permit
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You must be at least at 18 to obtain an intrastate CDL and age 21 to obtain a CDL.
All CDL applicants must certify either that they are in compliance with the federal and Virginia motor carrier safety regulations or that they do not have to comply with them. You may refer to the Code of Federal Regulations for an explanation of these requirements or view our FAQs.
If you must meet the federal or Virginia motor carrier safety regulations, you must provide a valid Department of Transportation Medical Examiner's Certificate. This form should be completed by a licensed medical examiner.
You must apply for your CDL or CDL instruction permit in person at a DMV customer service center. Refer to CDL classifications, endorsements and restrictions for additional information about CDL licensing.
Each time you apply for a CDL or CDL instruction permit and DMV records show you have not held a Virginia driver's license or ID card in the past, you must show two proofs of identity (only one primary document if you are under age 19), one proof of legal presence and one proof of Virginia residency. Proof of your social security number is required also.
You will be required to show your proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency, and social security number documents on each return visit until your license or instruction permit is issued. Use the interactive document guide to determine which documents you will need to bring to DMV when you apply.
Falsifying information on any driver's license or identification card application is a criminal offense. Altering or assisting a person with improperly or fraudulently obtaining a driver's license, learner's permit, CDL, CDL instruction permit or ID card are also criminal offenses.
Documents accepted by DMV as proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency and social security number may change without prior notice.
You may hold either a driver's license, or a CDL, but not both. If you hold a license of any kind, you are not eligible for a ID card.
If you are 18 or older, applying for a CDL and have not previously held a CDL, you must show proof that:
- you passed a state-approved driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles, or
- you held a CDL instruction permit at least 30 days before taking the CDL road skills test at DMV.
If you are 18 years of age, applying for a CDL and have not previously held a CDL, you must either hold a valid Virginia driver's license or have satisfied all the requirements necessary to obtain such a license and you must:
- pass a state-approved driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles, or
- hold the CDL instruction permit for at least 30 days before taking the CDL road skills test at DMV.
Selective Service Registration
Generally, males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to send your personal information to the Selective Service unless you have already registered.
If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must sign your application authorizing the
Selective Service to register you when you turn 18. Law prohibits DMV from issuing any type of
driver's license or ID card to an applicant who is required by federal law to register
with the Selective Service but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the
Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service registration, visit the
Selective Service website at www.sss.gov or call
847-688-6888, TTY: 847-688-2567.
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Completing the Application
When applying for a CDL or CDL instruction permit, you must complete an application for a Virginia driver's license (form DL 1P). You may complete this form before or after coming to DMV. Use your full legal name. Abbreviations and nicknames will not be accepted. For your convenience, you also may apply to register to vote or change your voter registration address when you apply for your CDL. Additionally, you may indicate your desire to become an organ donor.
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Payment
Normally your Virginia CDL is valid for eight years and expires on your birthday. Your first license will expire on your birthday in the eighth year of license validity. The CDL licensing fee is $8.00 per year; so, your fee will range from $24.00 to $64.00. Endorsement(s) cost an additional $1.00 per year. A CDL instruction permit costs $3.00.
Individuals required to register with the Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Children registry (Virginia Code Chapter 9 of Title 9.1) will be issued licenses valid for five years.
| License Period | Cost |
|---|---|
| 3 Years | $24.00 |
| 4 Years | $32.00 |
| 5 Years | $40.00 |
| 6 Years | $48.00 |
| 7 Years | $56.00 |
| 8 Years | $64.00 |
A standard CDL renewal license with no endorsements costs $64.00 and is valid for 8 years.
For many individuals authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, a CDL will be valid only for the amount of time that the individual is legally permitted to stay in the U.S. You will not be eligible to receive a limited duration CDL if your authorized stay in the U.S. is less than 30 days from the date of your application. The expiration of the CDL will be the same as the expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence. If the document does not show an expiration date, the CDL will be valid for one year. The CDL will cost $8.00 per year. A partial year will be rounded to the next full year. So if the CDL is issued for less than one year, the cost is $8.00.
CDL instruction permits expire in one year and are not renewable. Individuals authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily for up to one year receive a CDL instruction permit with the same expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence. For customers legally permitted to stay in the U.S. longer than one year, the expiration date of the CDL instruction permit is valid for one year.
Applicants for a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsement must be fingerprinted for a background check. The non-refundable fee is $83.00.
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Testing
Tests may include a vision screening, CDL knowledge exams and a road skills test. You may also need to take the two-part driver's license knowledge exam. A DMV representative will tell you which tests you need to take. Refer also to CDL skills test eligibility requirements.
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Issuing the License
Once you pass your required testing, your CDL or CDL instruction permit will be mailed to you.
DMV has converted to a new secure process for issuing driver's licenses and ID cards, and has discontinued issuing them over the counter. The new secure process is similar to the U. S. passport process and reduces the risks of fraud.
Make sure DMV has your current, correct address on record. If you have moved, notify DMV right away. Your license will be mailed to the address in DMV records. The U.S. Postal Service will not forward driver's licenses.
Additional Information
Applying for a Driver's License
Persons convicted of certain sexual offenses (as listed in Va. Code § 46.2-323) must register with the Virginia Department of State Police as provided in § 19.2-298.1.
Individuals required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry (Virginia Code Chapter 9 of Title 9.1) (Registry) will be issued licenses valid for five years. However, they are not eligible for a Virginia commercial driver's license/instruction permit with an "S" endorsement during any period in which registration with the Registry is required.
