To apply for a New Jersey commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must be at least 18 years of age with a valid New Jersey Class D driver’s license.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all drivers seeking a CDL to meet certain requirements before they can get in the driver seat of an 18-wheeler or school bus. Individual states must implement these requirements at the bare minimum, but they can also add their own rules to the mix, making the New Jersey CDL application process unique to the Garden State.

Here to walk you through all the requirements for a CDL from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) is

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

You need a New Jersey Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) if you plan on operating a truck, bus, or another commercially contracted vehicle in the state. Most states require drivers to be of a certain age and possess a state license, but there are a few other CDL requirements that are unique to New Jersey.

The full set of requirements for New Jersey CDL applicants includes the following:

Be at least 18 years of age

Carry a Basic New Jersey Class D driver’s license

Be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen with lawful permanent residency status

Vision is at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without glasses

Be able to see red, green, and amber colors

Meet certain criteria for physical fitness

Applicants for a New Jersey CDL will also need to submit a

CDL Holder Self-Certification document

, but it will help to know which class of CDL and any endorsements you’ll need first.

New Jersey CDL classes

New Jersey offers three classes of CDL: Class A, Class B, and Class C.

Class C offers the most basic permissions and is best for bus drivers, authorizing operation of the following vehicles:

Vehicles for hire designed to carry eight to 15 passengers (driver included)

Vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers (driver included)

Vehicles transporting hazardous materials with a mandated placard

Vehicles owned or contracted by the public government, churches, charitable organizations, or private institutions for the transportation of children

Class B includes the permissions of a Class C CDL license—pending the proper endorsements—and adds ideal authorizations for truck drivers. Drivers with a Class B CDL can operate a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) greater than 26,000 pounds without any additional trailers.

Class A includes the permissions of Class B and Class C CDL licenses (with the proper endorsements) but expands the definition of Class B permissions to include trailering. Drivers with a Class A CDL can operate vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) greater than 26,000 pounds towing a unit with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.

Endorsements

Endorsements further specify what type of work you can do or cargo you can transport with your specific class of CDL. New Jersey offers the following five types of endorsements:

T: for double or triple trailer vehicles operated with a Class A license

P: for community buses and other passenger vehicles

S: needed with a P endorsement for school buses

N: for tanker vehicles used to transport liquid and gaseous materials

H: for vehicles used to transport hazardous material

Certain endorsements carry different requirements. For example, while an N endorsement can be added without any additional criteria, the P and S endorsements include special road testing and more.

Minimum age requirement

Drivers must be 18 years or older to apply for a New Jersey CDL; however, you must be at least 21 years or older to operate a commercial vehicle without any restrictions. The restrictions for New Jersey CDL holders below the age of 21 include the following:

No interstate driving—operation of a commercial vehicle is limited to within state lines

Not eligible for H, P, or S endorsements

Not able to select options one or two on the

CDL Holder Self-Certification form

Furthermore, you must have at least three years of driving experience to get an H, P, or S endorsement after turning 21.

Medical requirements

In addition to passing an eye exam with at least 20/40 vision in both eyes, New Jersey CDL applicants are required to complete a physical exam with a

state-certified medical examiner

and submit a valid

medical examiner certificate

You can be disqualified for a New Jersey CDL if a medical examiner does not deem you physically fit to operate a commercial vehicle.

New ELDT requirements

As of February 2022, first-time applicants for a CDL need to meet new regulations for

Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)

from the FMCSA. These requirements include the completion of a training course with a registered provider from

FMCSA’s registry

. You must complete these requirements before taking the CDL skills test or any additional endorsement tests.

MORE: How to replace a lost New Jersey driver’s license

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How to apply for a CDL in New Jersey

Before you start the application process, make sure you’ve completed the following checks:

You are 18 years or older.

You are a valid U.S. citizen or non-citizen with legal residency status.

You carry a New Jersey Class D driver’s license.

You’ve completed your

CDL Holder Self-Certification form

and

medical examiner certificate

Once you’ve met all these requirements, you can schedule an appointment to get your Commercial Driver’s Permit (CDP) at a

New Jersey Licensing Center

. Fill out an

application for a Commercial Driver's License

and bring it with your

Six Points of ID

, which must include the following:

Your social security card

Proof of address

Proof of citizenship or legal residency

You’ll pay a $125 commercial testing fee and take or schedule your CDL written knowledge test, which you can prepare for using the

New Jersey CDL manual

. You’ll need to complete your ELDT requirements first if you plan on taking the H endorsement knowledge test at the same time.

You may also be subject to a background check at this time including a check of your current driving record. While a

clean driving record

is not required to qualify for a New Jersey CDL, you are subject to disqualification for any reason based on what’s found in the background check.

Once you’ve completed your ELDT training requirements and had your New Jersey CDP for at least 14 days,you can schedule your CDL skills test. Once you pass your skills test, you just need to pay a $42 fee plus an additional $2 per endorsement, and you’ll receive your New Jersey CDL!

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How long is a CDL valid in New Jersey?

Your New Jersey CDL is valid for four years. Once this time approaches, you’ll need to

schedule a renewal appointment

at a Licensing Office and supply many of the same required documents as for the CDL application. The CDL renewal required materials include the following:

Six Points of ID including your social security card, proof of address, and proof of citizenship or legal residency

A $42 renewal fee (plus an additional $2 per applicable endorsement)

A new CDL Holder Self-Certification form and medical examiner certificate (if needed to update your CDL with any additional endorsements)

ORE: How to deal with rising gas prices in New Jersey

How to save on car insurance in New Jersey

Your employer will hopefully handle your commercial truck insurance if you work on contract or as part of a fleet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take some time to think about your own car insurance needs! You could even help pay for your New Jersey CDL testing and license fees by finding some savings on your current personal coverage policy.

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