Requirements for getting a CDL in California include having a high school diploma or GED, a clean driving record, and a class D license in good standing.

Written by Mary Cahill

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Mar 23, 2023

Table of Contents

What is required for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in California?
How to apply for a CDL in California
How long is a CDL valid in California?
How to save on car insurance in California

If you want to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in California you’re required to have a high school diploma or GED, a clean driving record free of major traffic violations, and a class D driver’s license that’s in good standing. All California CDL holders must be at least 18 years old to drive instate or at least 21 years old to drive from state to state.

Having a CDL in California enables you to legally operate a vehicle weighing 26,001 pounds or more (like a tractor-trailer) or a vehicle designed to carry more than ten passengers (such as a commercial van or bus). Obtaining a CDL is more involved than getting a regular driver’s license, but the steps are still relatively basic.

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What is required for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in California?

If you’re interested in getting your CDL in California you need to find out whether or not you’re even eligible to obtain this specialized credential. All California CDL applicants are required to be at least 18 years of age with a

clean driving record

and a high school diploma or GED. Convictions like reckless driving or a

DUI

in your past could make getting a CDL difficult—or even impossible.

Classes

The requirements narrow down based on what class of CDL you’re aiming for. CDLs have three tiers, each of which permits you to operate a slightly different type of commercial vehicle. Let’s look at how each class of CDL differs:

Class A: Required to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR)of 26,001 pounds or more, with consideration that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is over 10,000 pounds

Class B: Required to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or a combination of vehicles provided that the towed vehicle is less than 10,000 pounds

Class C: Required to operate a vehicle that carries hazardous materials or a vehicle that transports 16 or more passengers, so long as it does not meet the criteria for a Class A or Class B CDL

If you envision yourself behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer or tanker vehicle, you’ll need to obtain a Class A CDL. Bus drivers or operators of farm vehicles typically only need a Class B CDL. Drivers of commercial passenger vans or buses or transporters of HazMat materials need at least a Class C CDL.

Endorsements

The three CDL classes are just one way this licensing gets broken down. There are also six separate endorsements for CDLs in California which pertain to what kinds of vehicles commercially licensed drivers are allowed to operate. These endorsements are:

H: for operating a vehicle carrying hazardous materials

N: for operating tanker vehicles

P: for driving passenger vehicles

S: for school bus drivers

T: for driving a double or triple tractor-trailer

X: for transporting hazardous materials within a tanker vehicle

When you apply for a CDL in California, you must specify which endorsement(s) you’d like to obtain.

Each endorsement comes with different tests—either a written knowledge test taken alone or combined with a road test. For example, H, N, T, and X endorsements require only a written test. P and S endorsements require a written knowledge test, road test, and criminalbackground check.

Minimum age requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to get your California CDL. Getting commercially licensed at this age means you must drive within state lines at all times. You must be at least 21 years old if you want to use your CDL to travel from state to state or drive a HazMat vehicle

Medical requirements

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires CDL holders to pass specific medical exams designed to determine each driver’s ability to operate commercial vehicles safely. Here are some of the

medical requirements

expected of California’s CDL drivers:

70-degree peripheral vision, 20/40 acuity in each eye, and ability to differentiate the colors of traffic signals (corrective lenses can be worn during testing)

Ability to hear a “forced whisper” from a minimum distance of five feet (hearing aids can be worn during testing)

Loss or impairment of a limb or extremity must not interfere with the driver’s ability to perform normal operation of the vehicle

Must not have an established diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes

Must not have a clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, respiratory condition, or high blood pressure that would impair the driver’s ability to perform normal operation of the vehicle

Must not have an established diagnosis of a musculoskeletal impairment that would interfere with the driver’s ability to perform normal operation of the vehicle such as severe arthritis

Must not have a clinical diagnosis of a mental, nervous, or functional condition that would impair the driver’s ability to perform normal operation of the vehicle such as narcolepsy or chronic pain

Must not use any drug identified as a Schedule 1 substance according to the FMCSR Appendix D, such as marijuana, or have a physical dependence on alcohol that could result in withdrawal symptoms such as seizures

CDL holders in California must submit a

Medical Examination Report (MER) Form

and a

Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC)

in order to prove their physical capability.

New ELDT requirements

As of 2022, the California DMV enacted new Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements for CDL applicants. Drivers seeking a California CDL must undergo ELDT courtesy of a registered training provider as indicated on the

Federal Training Provider Registry (TPR)

On top of what’s required on the federal level, California requires all applicants of a Class A or B CDL to have a minimum of 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Confirmation of these real-time driving hours must be documented via a

California Commercial Driver Behind the Wheel Training Certification

. You will be expected to present this certificate at the DMV prior to receiving a CDL.

MORE:

Driving to California: tips, tricks, and laws

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How to apply for a CDL in California

Again, we must stress the importance of having a clean driving record if you want to apply for a CDL. If you’re a convicted felon or someone with a poor driving record, you could have a hard time getting a CDL in California—or any state for that matter.

So long as your criminal and driving history are in order, you can focus on the next set of requirements. You’ll need to apply for a commercial learner's permit (CLP) first. Complete the

online CDL application

, Go to your local DMV office and submit the following:

10-Year History Record Check

form

A completed MER and MEC

Proof of your social security number

Proof of identity

Proof of current California residency

$39 application fee

You’ll then be required to submit a thumbprint scan and pass the vision and knowledge tests. If all goes according to plan, you’ll have your CDL photo taken right then and there.

Your CLP can be held for a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 180 days before you can get your CDL. You are allowed to renew your CLP for another 180 days as long as it has not been more than one year since its expiration. If you have not obtained your CDL or renewed your CLP within 12 months of applying, your application will expire and you must start the process over.

If you’re not trying to drag things out, simply wait out the 14 days and then apply to take your California CDL skills test. In addition to making sure the DMV has the paperwork we mentioned earlier, this is what you’ll need to do to make that happen:

Schedule an appointment online

or by phone by calling 1-800-777-0133 during regular business hours

Bring the vehicle for which you want to obtain a license (make sure your truck is unloaded!)

Pass the skills test—this test is comprised of a vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and a driving test

Pay the $85 licensing fee

If you’re holding a current California CLP, have completed CDL training, and passed the skills test in a different state, you won’t have to take the California skills test.

How long is a CDL valid in California?

Your CDL in California is valid for five years, the same length of time as a California standard driver’s license. The renewal fee for your California CDL will cost $50. If your CDL is lost or stolen the replacement fee is $37.

MORE:

How to find a defensive driving course in California

How to save on car insurance in California

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