Determine what type of California CDL you need. Go to the
California CDL Flow Chart.
Find out what class of California CDL you need and which
California CDL endorsements you need.
How to obtain a California Commercial Driver's License
Getting Started . . .
Getting a California CDL involves several
steps. There are medical requirements and residency requirements besides
knowledge and skills requirements.
- The first step is to get a free copy of the California CDL Manual - CA CDL Handbook. The manual is available in their field
locations, downloaded from their website and printed. Each state has
its own processes to getting your California CDL.
- The second step is to decide which type of vehicle you will drive and what
type of loads you will carry.
- There are 3 classes of California CDLs with endorsements
for specialized qualifications for vehicles like school buses, tank
trucks, tractor trailers, etc. Each types of California CDL
requires you pass California CDL written tests and California CDL skills tests. It is important to make sure you pass all the required tests for your needs or risk having restrictions on your CDL prohibiting you from driving certain commercial vehicles and from carrying certain types of loads. Go to California CDL Classifications and Endorsement Codes for complete details.
Once you've finished getting informed and making decisions, there are two basic
steps to getting a California CDL:
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 . . .
California
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which CA CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Step 1: Get the California Commercial Learners Permit (CA CLP)
A
California Commercial Learners Permit (CA CLP) is a permit that only
authorizes you to practice on public roads with a qualified California CDL holder
sitting next to you. Getting the permit involves more than just passing all
the knowledge tests for the type of driving you want to do. To make sure that
you are eligible your driving record is checked for the last 10 years in all
50 states and the District of Columbia. You need to bring in the proof that
your state accepts to show that you are medically qualified. Most types of
commercial driving require a DOT medical card, requiring a DOT physical. Your
state may require specific documents it wants to see to prove your name and
proof of residency. There are fees for getting the California CLP. Reading and following
the instructions found in your specific
California CDL Information will streamline the process.
Step 2: Get the California Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
You are required to possess the California CLP for 14 days before taking the Skills Test.
Some states require the successful completion of California CDL training prior to
testing. Regardless, it is highly recommended that you practice the inspection
tests and maneuvers in the California CDL Manual that you will be tested on with a
qualified individual before showing up for the test. You must pass all 3 parts
of the Skills Test: the Vehicle Inspection Test, the Basic Controls Test,
and the Road Test. Your state may even allow you to use their "training aid"
to help you remember items on the vehicle inspection checklist. Taking the
Skills test is no guarantee that you will pass.
Once you have passed the Skills Test you need to take the documentation to the
counter for processing. Some states will give you the California CDL that same day,
while others send it to you in the mail. Regardless make sure that everything
is correct before you leave the counter. It can be costly and embarrassing
if you find a mistake later.
Checklist . . .
- Possess current valid regular driver's license in California.
- Show proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, payroll
check stub, W-2 Form).
- For interstate driving, submit proof of DOT Medical Certificate. For
intrastate driving, complete an application which includes a statement
certifying that you meet medical and driver qualifications. If you have
had any change in your physical condition since your last driver license
renewal which may affect your ability to drive, you may need a special
form from the branch office for your physician to fill out before you
can apply for your license.
- Meet driver record eligibility requirements as determined by your
California DMV office personnel.
- Pass the required knowledge and vision tests. You must pass all required
knowledge tests to obtain a California CDL Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP).
This allows you to practice driving under supervision of a driver who
has a CDL for the type of vehicle you wish to drive. A California CDL Temporary
Instruction Permit (TIP) is also required for taking the CA CDL skills
tests. If you do not pass a knowledge test on your first attempt, you
must wait one day to retake the test. There is a one-day wait period
for any subsequent retest.
- Pay your California CDL fees.
- Schedule your California CDL skills test.
- Upon successfully passing your Skills Tests, return to the California DMV
office.
- Receive your California CDL.
Do I need a California CDL?
What Class of California CDL do I need?
What California CDL endorsements do I need?
How to determine what Class of California CDL you need and which California CDL
Endorsements you need.
- The Class of California CDL you require
is based upon the type of vehicle you drive.
- The California CDL Endorsements you
require is based upon the type of loads that you carry.
Determine which Class of California CDL
you require.
You can only possess
one Class of CDL . . . Class A CDL
or Class B CDL
or Class C CDL.
- Class A CDL - allows you to drive Class B and Class C type vehicles in addition to Class A.
- Class B CDL - allows you to drive Class C type vehicles in addition to Class B.
- Class C CDL - limits you to drive only Class C type vehicles.
- You must possess the proper endorsements for the
type of loads you carry, regardless of the Class of CDL that you possess.
-
Class A California CDL: Holders are authorized to drive any combination
of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of twenty-six thousand one (26,001) pounds or more,
provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds.
-
Class B California CDL: Holders are authorized to drive any single
vehicle with a GVWR of twenty-six thousand one (26,001) pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing a
vehicle not in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds.
-
Class C California CDL: Holders are authorized to drive any single
vehicle with a GVWR of less than twenty-six thousand one (26,001) pounds (vehicles that otherwise do
not require a CDL) or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds comprising:
- Vehicles designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including
the driver, or designed to transport more than ten passengers, including
the driver, and used to transport students under the age of twenty-one years
to and from school; (additional endorsement required - see below)
- Vehicles used to transport hazardous materials which are required to
be placarded in accordance with 49 CFR 172, Subpart F, as amended. (additional
endorsement required - see below)
Determine if you need any California CDL Endorsements based upon the type of loads you will carry.
-
Air Brakes (L Restriction): Air Brakes is not considered
an Endorsement. If you have not passed your Air Brakes written test or you
took your CDL skills tests in a vehicle without Air Brakes you will be restricted
to only drive vehicles without Air Brakes - the "L" Restriction. Requires
a CDL written test AND Skills test.
-
Combination Vehicles Endorsement: Technically not considered
an endorsement, this written test must be passed to get a Class A CDL allowing
you to drive a combination type vehicle (tractor-trailer). Requires a CDL
written test AND skills test in a Class A tractor-trailer type vehicle.
- T - Semi trailer Double or Triple (Written Test). Certain states prohibit triple trailers statewide, such as California, Florida, and New York. A Class A license is required to obtain the T endorsement.
- P - Passenger Vehicle (Written and Driving Tests)
- S - School Bus (Written and Driving Test, Background Check, Sex Offender Registry Check and P endorsement)
- N - Tank Truck (Written Test)
- H - Hazardous materials (Written Test and Background Check through the Transportation Security Administration)
- X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials (Written Test)
Eligible Endorsements for each Class of California CDL
Class C - California CDL must hold one or more of the following endorsements:
- Hazardous Materials (H)
- Passenger Transport (P)
- School Bus (S) (this is an optional endorsement; you must possess a "P" Passenger Endorsement in combination with the "S"
School Bus endorsement)
- Tank Vehicle (N)
Class B - California CDL can hold one or more of the following endorsements:
- Hazardous Materials (H)
- Passenger Transport (P)
- School Bus (S)
- Tank Vehicle (N)
- Tanker and Hazardous Materials (X)
Class A - California CDL can hold one or more of the following endorsements:
- Hazardous Materials (H)
- Passenger Transport (P)
- School Bus (S)
- Tank Vehicle (N)
- Tanker and Hazardous Materials (X)
- Double/Triples (T)
Are YOU ready to get YOUR California CDL?
Prepare for YOUR California CDL Tests NOW . . .
In addition to the California CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the California CDL and in the free California 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
California CDL Practice Test prep program will prepare you to easily pass your
California CDL written exams to get your California CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your
behind the wheel work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The California CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .
- Covers ALL Eight California CDL written tests.
- In separate study modules - you won't need all of them - don't waste time on what you don't require.
- Covers ALL Three California CDL skills tests.
- In separate study modules - you won't need all of them - don't waste time on what you don't require.
- 670 practice California CDL test questions with actual answers.
- Access to CDL videos covering written and skills tests.
- CDL study guide in both text and audio - listen as you read along.
- CDL study Quick Reviews.
- Interactive online CDL Quizzes.
- and much more!
May your new CAREER be prosperous!!!
Michael Hamilton
Director
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