To get your Oklahoma commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must be at least 18 years old, provide a valid form of identification, and show proof of your Oklahoma residency.
If you want to drive a commercial truck or bus in Oklahoma, you may need to get a commercial driver’s license. Getting your CDL in Oklahoma can be a long, tedious process, but the requirements are pretty simple. You’ll need to pass some tests, provide valid ID and proof of legal residence, and pay a license fee of between $38.50 and $56.50 before you can legally drive a commercial vehicle in the Sooner State.
In this article, trusted car insurance broker app
and licensing buff Jerry
will outline all the steps you’ll need to take in order to get your commercial driver’s license in the great state of Oklahoma—plus, we’ll end off with how to cut your Oklahoma insurance costs
! What is required for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Oklahoma?
Commercial trucks and buses are large vehicles that must be operated by skilled professionals. To ensure that all operators meet the knowledge and skills required to safely operate commercial vehicles, the state of Oklahoma has implemented a rigorous licensing process that can get pretty arduous.
The particular requirements hinge on what class of CDL you want to get, or what kind of endorsements
you might require. These needs can vary depending on the type of vehicle you wish to drive. Oklahoma CDL classes
There are three classes of commercial driver’s license in Oklahoma: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Here is what each class allows the holder to operate:
Class A: Holders may operate any vehicle combination—e.g. tractor and trailer—with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,000 pounds or more, and the GVWR of the trailer is more than 10,000 pounds.
Class B: Holders may operate straight trucks or combo vehicles where GVWR is more than 26,000 pounds. The trailer being towed cannot exceed 10,000 pounds.
Class C: Holders may operate straight trucks or a combo of vehicles designed for the transport of 16 or more passengers (driver included), or vehicles used for the transport of hazardous materials.
Drivers who wish to drive a classic semi-truck and trailer, for example, will need a Class A CDL. Those operating a single-framed truck—i.e. no detachable trailer—are required to have a Class B license. In order to drive single-framed or combination vehicles designed for 16 or more people, or any vehicle used to transport hazardous materials, drivers have to obtain a Class C license.
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Endorsements
You may also be required to add an endorsement to your CDL depending on your driving requirements. There are six commercial license endorsements available in Oklahoma. They are:
T: For pulling double and triple trailers
P: For operating passenger vehicles
N: For operating tank vehicles
H: For transporting hazardous materials
X: For hazardous materials transported by tank
S: For operating school buses
Some of these endorsements require you to pass knowledge and skills tests before they are added to your CDL. For example, people wanting to drive a school bus will need to obtain both the P and S endorsement, both of which require an in-bus skills test.
Other endorsements, such as the H and T endorsements, only require you to pass a knowledge test for them to be added to your commercial license.
Minimum age requirement
You must be at least 18 years of age in order to hold an Oklahoma commercial driver’s license. However, if you will be driving a commercial vehicle across state lines, you must be at least 21 years of age. You must also be at least 21 to add an H or X endorsement to your Oklahoma CDL.
Medical requirements
You will need to meet some basic health and physical requirements in order to obtain a commercial driver’s license in Oklahoma. You may be tested or otherwise asked to prove the following:
Blood pressure of 160/100 or better (use of prescription medication to regulate blood pressure is permissible)
At least 20/40 vision in both eyes
Must be able to distinguish colors
Must be able hear a forced whisper from at least five feet away
Must not use Schedule 1 drugs, amphetamines, narcotics, or any other habit-forming drugs
Diabetes controlled through diet or medication is OK, but diabetes regulated with insulin injections is not.
If you plan on driving out of state, you will be required to provide a Medical Examiner’s Certificate to verify that you meet the above stipulations.
ELDT requirements
If this is your first time applying for a commercial driver’s license, you will have to adhere to new federal training requirements: Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)
. Starting back in February 2022, all new applicants must complete training with a provider in the FMCSA registry
before they are allowed to take their skills tests or knowledge tests for the P, S, H, and X endorsements. MORE: How to get cheap commercial truck insurance
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers How to apply for a CDL in Oklahoma
In order to get a CDL in OK, you must first have a valid Oklahoma state Class D driver’s license—the kind that allows you to drive regular cars and trucks. You must have only one driver’s license and it cannot be suspended, canceled, or revoked in any state.
When you have provided all of this, you must apply for a commercial learner’s permit (CLP). For that you’ll need to provide identification, proof of legal Oklahoma residence, your Social Security number, and a Medical Examiner’s Certificate if you plan on driving out-of-state. You’ll also need to pass one or more commercial driver’s knowledge tests.
Your knowledge tests may include:
Endorsements (if applicable)
CDL knowledge tests are multiple choice and you must score 80% or higher to pass.
Once you pass your knowledge test, you will need to pay an application fee after which you will be issued a commercial learner’s permit. The application fee varies depending on which class you are applying for, but the most expensive application fee is $25. Your CLP is valid for 180 days, and you must possess your CLP for a minimum of 14 days before you can take your CDL driving skills test.
Once you’ve obtained your CLP, you will need to register for Entry Level Driver Training by selecting an authorized trainer from the FMCSA registry. Upon completion of this training you may book a driver skills test with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
Keep in mind that it is your responsibility to provide your own test vehicle of the same class and type for which you are seeking a CDL. You must provide proof of insurance
and registration
. Your vehicle must also pass a safety inspection, and if it does not have air brakes you will have an air brakes restriction on your CDL if you pass your exam. Your CDL skills test will include:
Observing traffic signs, signals, and other traffic
Downgrades and downgrade stopping
Upgrades and upgrade stopping
Bridge and underpass clearance
Observance of traffic laws
MORE: How bad is Oklahoma City traffic?
How long is a CDL valid in Oklahoma?
When you have passed your CDL skills test, you must pay your license fee—$51.50 for Class A and Class B CDLs, $41.50 for Class C—and self-certify
that you meet the medical requirements for the class of commercial driver’s license you are paying for. You may need to provide a Medical Examiner's Certificate if requested. Your CDL is valid for four years so long as you continue to pass your annual Department of Transportation physical. The renewal fee for a Class A and B CDL is $59.41, and $49.51 for Class C.
You will also need to pay the fee for any endorsements that you have obtained. If you have applied for a Hazardous Materials CDL you will be required to submit to a fingerprint and background check.
MORE: How to check for Oklahoma road closures
How to save on car insurance in Oklahoma
Getting your Oklahoma commercial driver’s license can be a long and expensive journey. One easy way to free up some extra cash is by finding cheap car insurance
with Jerry
. Jerry is a licensed insurance broker app with a team of agents backing it up. Just sign up and tell Jerry what kind of auto insurance you’re looking for. Within seconds you’ll get quotes from over 55 of the most respected car insurance providers in the game. Just choose the one that fits you best and let the savings begin!
The best part about it is that you can make the switch to cheaper car insurance right in the app, and you never have to talk to anyone. But, if you get a hankering to hear a human voice, you can totally still call us. We’d love to help you out.
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