Louisiana CDL Fees:
- A CDL physical is required (fee set by the medical examiner).
- $15 application fee.
- Third Party Skills test is $100 (if you provide the vehicle). NOTE: Cost for rental of a vehicle, discretion of the Tester/Examiner.
- License fee - $41 ($51 if you reside in Orleans Parish).
- Additional endorsements - $5 each, except for motorcycle which is $8.
- Applicable parish fee - not to exceed $3.
The costs may vary slightly.
How long does the Louisiana CDL application process take?
You have 6 months from the day you pay your $15 application fee to have all of your written tests completed,
your skills test completed and the license issued. Failure to do so will result in a forfeiture of the application
fee and your tests will be considered expired.
Who Needs a Louisiana CDL?
A Louisiana CDL is required to operate the following:
- Any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
- A vehicle pulling a trailer if the trailer has a (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more.
- A vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver.
- A vehicle hauling hazardous materials in amounts required to be placarded.
What Louisiana CDL tests are required?
Depending on the class of license you are applying for, the test required will vary.
- General Knowledge Test is taken by all applicants.
- Air Brakes Test is required if you intend to drive vehicles so equipped.
- Combination Vehicles Test is required if you want to drive a Class "A"
combination vehicle.
- Tanker Test is required if you want to haul liquids in bulk.
- Doubles/Triples Test is required if you pull double or triple trailers.
- Hazardous Materials Test is required if you want to haul hazardous materials or waste in amounts required to be placarded.
- Passenger Transport Test is required if you want to drive a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.
This endorsement requires a skills test in a bus. It is prohibited to skills test in a van to obtain a passenger endorsement.
If you pass the required knowledge test, you can take the CDL skills tests. There are three parts to the skills test: pre-trip inspection,
basic controls, and a road skills test.
Louisiana CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the
Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 . . .
Louisiana
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which LA CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Classes of Louisiana 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. |
|
Louisiana 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 Louisiana CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the Louisiana CDL and in the free Louisiana 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
Louisiana CDL written exams to get your Louisiana 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 Louisiana CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .
