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FREE IN CDL INFO | DMV Locations | Fees Forms | FAQs | Indiana CDL Requirements

Find official Indiana CDL test requirements to get your IN CDL - FREE information - FAST and EFFICIENT.

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Indiana CDL Info | IN CDL Requirements

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Indiana Commercial Driver's License

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana CDLs

When Do I Need a CDL?

You will need to obtain a CDL if you operate a commercial motor vehicle that:
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of at least 26,001 pounds; or
  • Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
  • Is any size vehicle carrying hazardous materials which requires placarding

How Do I Obtain an Indiana CDL?

To obtain an Indiana CDL you must:
  • Have a valid Indiana operator's license;
  • Have a valid United States Social Security number;
  • Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident;
  • Pass a DOT physical examination;
  • Obtain a commercial driver's license learner's permit and pass one or more of the written knowledge tests; and
  • Pass a skills test in a vehicle class you intend to operate after acquiring an Indiana CDL permit

A Indiana CDL skills test must be taken at one of the authorized Indiana CDL driving skills test sites. There you will demonstrate your knowledge and skills of operating a commercial motor vehicle.

What happens if a driver's Indiana CDL has been expired, disqualified, cancelled, revoked, or invalidated for more than one year?
If a driver's CDL has been expired, disqualified, canceled, revoked, invalidated or voluntarily surrendered for more than one year, the holder must pass all knowledge and skills exams prior to issuance of the Indiana CDL license [140 IAC 7-3-17.5(d)].

How can the status of a DOT physical examination be checked by a driver or employer?
Companies and individual drivers can check the processing status of a DOT physical examination form by calling 888-692-6841 and selecting option number one (1).

Indiana CDL Self-Certification

On February 1, 2014 all Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders who did not self-certify their driving type were disqualified for Failure to Self-Certify. Federal regulation requires CDL holders to certify to the BMV the type of commercial motor vehicles that they operate, or intend to operate, as well as acknowledge that they are required to meet the medical requirements for that CDL.

To close this disqualification, you must self-certify your driving type or surrender your CDL. You may self-certify on myBMV.com or during a Indiana CDL or IndianaCommercial Learner's Permit (CLP) transaction at a branch. Four notifications of the deadline were mailed over the past year.

Self-certifying online is free and easy. You will need to create a myBMV account, if you do not already have one. After accessing your account, click "my Driver Records" then click on "CDL Self-Certify Driver Type" in the left column and answer the questions. After answering the questions, place a checkmark in the "swear or affirm" box and then click "save". You may also self-certify during a CLP/CDL renewal, amend or replacement branch transaction.

Indiana Commercial Driver's License

Indiana Commercial Driver's License

An Indiana Commercial Driver's License (CDL) allows the holder to operate commercial motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles with declared gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 26,000 pounds; vehicles designed or used to transport 16 or more people, including the driver; and vehicles used to transport hazardous materials.

In general, Indiana CDL requirements are stricter than for any other Indiana driver's license and are based upon stringent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. To get a CDL you must a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident and be at least 18-years-old, if you will be transporting property within state lines, or at least 21-years-old if you will be transporting people. You must have held a valid driver's license, chauffeur's license, or public passenger chauffeur's license for at least one year. You must also hold a Indiana CDL learner's permit.

Getting an Indiana Commercial Driver's License Learner's Permit

To get a commercial driver's license learner's permit you must be at least 18 years old if you will be transporting property within state lines, and at least 21 years old if you will be transporting people. You must have held an Indiana driver's license, chauffeur's license, or public passenger chauffeur's license for at least one year.

To get a Indiana commercial driver's license learner's permit you need to pass the appropriate knowledge test for the vehicle type that you plan to operate:
  • All commercial vehicles drivers: General knowledge test
  • All school bus drivers: School bus endorsement test and passenger transport test
  • All bus drivers: Passenger transport test
  • Vehicle with air brakes: Air brakes test
  • Combination of vehicles: Combination vehicle test
  • Drivers required to transport hazardous material: Hazardous material test
  • Drivers required to transport liquids in bulk: Tanker test
  • Drivers required to pull double or triple trailers: Doubles/triples test

When you pass a knowledge test, the results are valid for 180 days. You may receive only three commercial driver's license learner's permits in two years. An Indianacommercial driver's license learner's permit is valid for six months.

Holders of a valid Indiana commercial driver's license learner permit may operate a commercial motor vehicle only when accompanied by the holder of a valid commercial driver's license holder who has the proper class and endorsement(s) necessary to operate the commercial motor vehicle.

You may find the material covered in the knowledge examinations in the commercial driver's license test booklet.

When you apply for a Indiana commercial driver's license you must present documents of identification proving your identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and Indiana residency.

Indiana CDL Knowledge Examination and Skills Testing

To get a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in Indiana, you must pass a knowledge examination and a driving skills test in a vehicle representative of the class of Indiana CDL that you will receive. The driving skills test must be taken at a BMV authorized test site and consists of a pre-trip inspection test, a basic control skills test, and the road trip test. Authorized test sites electronically transmit the skills test results to the BMV to increase security and accuracy.

The Indiana Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), all knowledge tests and skills tests are valid for one hundred and eighty (180) days. Renewal of an Indiana CLP may require retaking the knowledge examinations.

Documents of identification

You must be either a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident to apply for an Indiana Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) or Indiana Commercial Driver's License (CDL), per 49 CFR 383.71. For further information on this requirement, please visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

When you apply for an Indiana CLP or Indiana CDL you must present documents of identification proving your identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and Indiana residency.

Transferring a CDL From Out of State

The Indiana BMV will conduct a driver record search using the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) for all license holders transferring to Indiana from another state. If your CDLIS Pointer (Driver History) from your prior state of record is not available, or your CDLIS Pointer is incomplete, there will be a delay in processing your application for a license in the State of Indiana.

The Indiana BMV will contact the licensing officials in the state(s) where the license was previously held to complete this process. When the BMV has received the required information, the applicant will be contacted by the BMV to return to the license branch to complete processing.

You must meet all requirements to transfer a base license and pass the general knowledge written tests to transfer a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to Indiana. If you have a hazardous materials endorsement on your current CDL you will be required to pass that knowledge test and have acceptable threat assessment approval to be issued the endorsement on an Indiana license.

Renewing or Replacing an Indiana CDL Renewing or Replacing an Indiana CDL

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) issued in Indiana is valid for four years. You may renew your Indiana CDL at any Indiana license branch up to one year before the license expires.

To replace an Indiana CDL, you will need to visit any Indiana license branch and present certain documents of identification.

Re-Applying For a Indiana CDL

If you voluntarily surrender or relinquish your Commercial Driver's License and would like to re-apply for commercial driving privileges after one year, you must obtain an Indiana Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), pass all necessary knowledge tests and driving skills tests, and provide a valid Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination (medical examination) and Medical Examiner's Certificate unless a valid medical examination and medical examiner's certificate is already on file with the Indiana BMV.

Indiana CDL Fees

  • 4 year Indiana CDL - $36.00
  • Restricted Class B Indiana CDL - $36.00
  • Upgrade/Downgrade Indiana CDL - $19.00
  • Replacement/Amended Indiana CDL - $5.50
  • Indiana Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) - $17.00
  • Amended or Replacement Indiana CLP - $10.50

Indiana CDL Written Knowledge Tests

You will need to pass the Indiana 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 Indiana 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.

Go to Indiana CDL Selector Tool
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 . . .
Indiana
Go to CDL Selector Tool
(Use only for a new CDL)
Not sure which IN CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.

Classes of Indiana 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

H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam
T - Doubles/Triples Written Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam
L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus Written and Road Exam
Class B

General Knowledge Written Exam

Road Exam

H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam
L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus Written and 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.
H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam
N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam
P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam
X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam
L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam
S - School Bus Written and Road Exam

Indiana 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

Quickly access the most complete and accurate Official Indiana CDL Information

Indiana CDL Manual, CDL Indiana Handbook
Indiana CDL Requirements

Access Official Federal CDL General Information

Access Official Federal CDL Medical Requirements Info

Access Official Federal CDL Hazardous Materials Info

Click on the items above to find answers to your Indiana CDL questions

  • What is a Commercial Drivers License (CDL)?
  • How to get a Indiana CDL (Commercial Driver's License)
  • How old do you have to be to get a Indiana CDL (Commercial Driver's License)
  • How to get a Indiana CDL HazMat (Hazardous Materials Endorsement) Permit
  • What is the difference between Interstate and Intrastate?
  • How to get a free Indiana CDL Study Guide
  • How to get a Indiana School Bus CDL
  • How much does a Indiana CDL cost?
  • Where is my nearest Indiana DMV CDL office located?
  • Where can I find Indiana CDL (commercial drivers license) forms?
  • What are the Indiana CDL Medical Requirements?

. . . and answers to many more Indiana CDL questions!

Are YOU ready to get YOUR Indiana CDL?
Prepare for YOUR Indiana CDL Tests NOW . . .

 Indiana CDL License
In addition to the Indiana CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the Indiana CDL and in the free Indiana 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 Indiana CDL Practice Test prep program will prepare you to easily pass your Indiana CDL written exams to get your Indiana 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 Indiana CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .
  • Covers ALL Eight Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana 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!!!

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Michael Hamilton
Director
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