BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S PERMIT/LICENSE

• Must have a Pennsylvania Driver's License.
• Certify that you are in agreement with state motor carrier safety regulations. See Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or call (800) 932-4600 (Customer Call Center) for more information.
• Provide a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate. You can obtain one by having a licensed medical professional fill out the appropriate Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness reports. The medical examiner should provide you with a Medical Examiner's Certificate.
• Provide proof of identity.

.

• Provide proof of Pennsylvania residency.
• Provide your Social security number.

STEPS TO APPLY FOR A CDL PERMIT/LICENSE

1. You must have a Pennsylvania Driver's License.
2. Fill out the Commercial Learner's Permit form and hand in in-person to a Driver License Center. For more information see Instruction Permit section below.
3. Pay the required fee for your permit.
4. If the privileges requested for require a Knowledge Test and Road Test you will be issued a Knowledge Test Authorization after which you will have to clear the Knowledge Test.
5. Pass vision screening test.
6. Attend and then provide proof that you have taken a Commercial driver's education program specifically for commercial motor vehicles.
7. Take road test at your local Driver License Center.
8. Pay license and endorsement fees.

INSTRUCTION PERMIT

In order to be eligible for a Pennsylvania CDL, you must first obtain a CDL instruction permit. First, you must fill out the Commercial Learner's Permit Form. Then show proof of legal presence and US residency. Next, pay the required permit fee. Lastly, pass the CDL general knowledge exam and vision screening test. The combined time span of a Knowledge Test Authorization and CDL Permit is one year. For example, if you take two months to clear the knowledge test, the permit will be valid for 8 months.

FEES

A Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's License will be valid for 4 years. The cost is $71.00 for a standard CDL license. Please see a list of fees for more information.

CDL ENDORSEMENTS

The following is a list of endorsements you can get on your CDL:

• Hazardous Material (Class H).
• Tank Vehicles (Class N).
• Passenger-Carrying Vehicle (Class P).
• School Bus (Class S).
• Towing a Double or Triple Trailer (Class T).
• Combination of Hazardous Material and Tank Vehicle (Class X).

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (HAZMAT)

This is an endorsement required if you are driving a commercial motor vehicle that transports hazardous materials. There are specific background checks and knowledge exams that you need to pass in order to receive this endorsement on your CDL. Please see the HAZMAT endorsement article for more detailed information.

FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR INTERSTATE DRIVERS

The following is a list of federal requirements for interstate drivers.

• Certify that you are in agreement with state motor carrier safety regulations. See Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or call (800) 932-4600 (Customer Call Center) for more information.
• Have the correct class of license. See Classes of CDLs, Restrictions and Endorsements for more details.
• See Pennsylvania's Commercial Driver's Manual for more information on state regulations and guidelines.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• If you already have a CDL, see CDL renewal.
• For more information regarding test centers and hours and locations see your local Driver License Center.
• See Pennsylvania's Commercial Driver's Manual for knowledge exam information.