Get a New York State CDL
To apply for a New York Commercial Driver License (CDL), you must have a NYS driver license (Class D, Class E, or Non-CDL C) or a valid CDL from another state.
When you apply for an original NYS CDL (Class A, B, or C) you must certify that:
- you did not hold a driver license in any state or in the District of Columbia except NYS in the last 10 years or you must report every US state (or the District of Columbia) where you held a driver license in the last 10 years
- you meet the Federal medical examination requirements (see Medical Certification Requirements for more information)
What do I need to do to get a New York CDL?
- Get the NYS Commercial Driver's Manual (CDL-10) online or from a DMV office
or call center. Study the sections of the manual that apply to the type of
New York CDL you need. The sections of the manual that you need to study are
explained in the manual. The manual describes the classes, the restrictions,
and the endorsements of CDLs. This information is also included on the Driver
License Class Descriptions (MV-500C).
- Apply for a commercial learner permit at a DMV office. You must pass the
written test for the New York CDL that you need. There is an application fee
of $10.00. This fee allows you to take all written tests (knowledge and endorsement)
required for permit and license issuance applied for which are taken at the
same time. There will be an additional $5 fee for any other required tests
not taken and passed at the time of initial application. There is a fee of
$40.00 to take the New York CDL road test (skills test). You can pay the road
test fee when the DMV office issues your commercial learner permit, or you
can pay the fee online. You must pay the fee before you can schedule your
road test.
- Prepare for your road test and practice with a supervising driver. The supervising
driver must have a driver license that is valid to drive the commercial motor
vehicle that you use for practice.
- Schedule your road test using the Road Test Scheduling System. If you do
not pass the road test, you must pay a fee of $40.00 before you can schedule
another road test. You can pay the fee online with your credit card, or pay
the fee at a DMV office.
Will I get a temporary CDL after I pass my road test?
No. Effective May 23, 2014, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles will
no longer issue a 10-day temporary license document upon successful completion
of a New York Commercial Driver License skills test, in order to comply with the
Federal self-certification and medical certification requirements for commercial
drivers.
Instead, commercial drivers will be issued a receipt indicating they must wait
1 business day before visiting a Motor Vehicles office in order to obtain a New
York Commercial Driver's License document.
What is the fee for a CDL?
The amount of the New York CDL fee that you pay depends on the expiration date
and the class of your current driver license, and the date that you receive your
New York CDL.
The local DMV office will issue a temporary New York CDL that is valid for 90
days. Your photo CDL will arrive by mail in three to four weeks.
What if I have a CDL from another state?
To get a New York State CDL, you must apply for your CDL at a DMV Office and surrender your out-of-state CDL. If your out-of-state CDL has a hazardous materials endorsement, you must pass the hazardous materials knowledge test when you apply for your NYS CDL. You must also provide fingerprints for federal and NYS background checks for criminal violations.
New York CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the
New York Knowledge Tests that are required for
the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general
knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed
by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained
in the
FREE New York CDL Handbook. Please read and study this
manual carefully.
- Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
- Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
- Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air
brakes vehicles..
- Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
- School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.
If you need help . . .
determining what Class of CDL you need based upon the type
of vehicle you will drive (A, B or C) or are not sure which CDL
Endorsements you need based upon the type of loads you will carry; use the
free CDL Selector Tool . . .
New York
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which NY CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Classes of New York CDL and Required Tests
| CDL Class |
Tests Required |
Possible Endorsements and Required Tests |
Class A
(Combination
vehicle endorsement required) |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Combination Endorsement Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
| Class B |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
| Class C |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam
Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one. |
|
New York CDL Endorsements
| Exam |
Time Allowed (Minutes) |
# of Questions on Exam |
# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass |
| General Knowledge |
60 |
50 |
40 |
| Air Brakes |
25 |
25 |
20 |
| HazMat |
30 |
30 |
24 |
| Tank |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Passenger |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Doubles/Triples |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| Combination Vehicles |
20 |
20 |
16 |
| School Bus |
20 |
20 |
16 |
In addition to the New York CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the New York CDL and in the free New York CDL Handbook (which is quite boring and a bit confusing - and doesn't have a single multiple-choice question in it that is asked on the actual tests), the complete online
prep program will prepare you to easily pass your
New York CDL written exams to get your New York CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your
work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The New York CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .
