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NC CDL Test
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FREE NC CDL INFO | DMV Locations | Fees Forms | FAQs | North Carolina CDL Requirements

Find official North Carolina CDL test requirements to get your NC CDL - FREE information - FAST and EFFICIENT.

Jump to official North Carolina CDL website information.

North Carolina CDL Info | NC CDL Requirements

North Carolina CDL Learner Permit Training Program
North Carolina CDL Practice
Test Prep
NC CDL  School Bus

North Carolina Commercial Driver License CDL

Classes of North Carolina CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

  • North Carolina Commercial Class A - Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating, GVWR, of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • North Carolina Commercial Class B - Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • North Carolina Commercial Class C - Any vehicle not described in Class A or B above but is: Designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded under C.F.R., Part 172, Subpart F.

North Carolina CDL Learner Permit

  • Valid for six months
  • Limit of two permits in two years
  • Permit thirty days over their expiration date, the driver is required to retake all written tests

Your North Carolina Commercial Driver license is issued for a period of 5 years.

The cost of a North Carolina license & endorsements is based on the yearly charge.

North Carolina CDL Requirements & Documents

You will need to bring 4 documents total
To avoid inconveniences, make sure you have all necessary documents before visiting the Driver License Office.

In order to apply for the first time issuance of a NC CDL you will need to gather documents from the following categories:
  • Proof of Age & Identity
  • Proof of Social Security
  • Proof of Residency
  • Proof of Liability Insurance

Proof of Clear Driving Record
At time of application, you must certify that;
  • Your license is not suspended, disqualified or revoked
  • You currently do not hold more than one Driver License

CDL Holders Medical & Physical Requirements

Many commercial motor vehicle drivers are required to have medical cards. Those who require medical cards are required to bring them at the time of both the original application and renewal.

If questions arise about a driver's physical condition, the North Carolina DMV may require the driver to submit a completed medical report, before or after certification, provided by the North Carolina DMV Driver License Section.

North Carolina CDL Learner Permit - Additional Requirements
  • You must be at least 18 years of age (21 for operations that require a medical card)
  • You must possess a valid Classified A, B, or C Driver License
  • Will be accompanied by a licensed CDL operator, with the proper class of license, in the front seat beside you.

North Carolina CDL Tests

North Carolina CDL Written Tests - Written tests are provided at all full service Driver License locations.

North Carolina CDL Skills Tests - Skills tests are provided at many Driver License locations throughout NC. Skills tests are also given by Certified Third Party testers to employees of their company.

North Carolina CDL Fees

Payments for transactions at Driver License Offices are accepted in the form of cash, money order, personal checks. Debit/credit cards are not accepted at this time.
  • Application Fee - $30.00
  • CDL Endorsement - $3/yr. per endorsement
  • Class A License, CDL - $15.00/yr.
  • Class B License, CDL - $15.00/yr.
  • Class C License, CDL - $15.00/yr.
  • Duplicate License - $10.00
  • Learner Permit, CDL - $15.00

North Carolina CDL Suspensions & Revocations

In addition to the rules that apply to the driving public, North Carolina Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders are required to follow rules specific to Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers in order to comply with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act, maintain their CDL license and keep their school bus driving privileges.

North Carolina Commercial Driver License Rules

For a complete listing of rules, view the North Carolina Commercial Driver's Manual, Section 1. A few key rules include:
  • No one can drive a commercial motor vehicle without a CDL.
  • No one can have more than one license. If you break this rule, you can be fined for up to $5000 or put in jail.
  • Notify your employer and the motor vehicle licensing agency in the state issuing your CDL within 30 days of conviction for any moving traffic violations.
  • Notify your employer if your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled, or if you are disqualified from driving.
  • Give your employer information on all driving jobs you have held for the past 10 years. You must do this when you apply for a commercial driving job.
  • It is illegal to operate a CMV if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is .04% or more. You will lose your CDL for one year for your first offense. You will lose it for life for your second offense. If your blood alcohol concentration is less than 0.04% but you have any detectable amount, you will be put out-of-service for 24 hours.
  • Fines for violations of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Out-of-State criteria must be paid when the citation is written.
  • It is a violation of State law to possess any alcoholic beverage (open or closed) while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
  • There is a minimum fine of $250 for speeding in highway work zones in addition to any fines or penalties that may be imposed for speeding violations.
  • There are now minimum limits of insurance requirements for commercial motor vehicles licensed in North Carolina, whether interstate or intrastate, private or "For Hire" in the amount of $750,000.
  • The court system can double any fine for operators of commercial motor vehicles that violate motor vehicle laws in which points are assessed.
  • There will be an increase in the number of points assessed to your driving record for motor vehicle law violations including railroad crossing violations and possession of an alcoholic beverage while operating a CMV.

North Carolina CDL Written Knowledge Tests

You will need to pass the North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 . . .
North Carolina
Go to CDL Selector Tool
(Use only for a new CDL)
Not sure which NC CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.

Classes of North Carolina 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

North Carolina 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 North Carolina CDL Information

North Carolina CDL Manual, CDL North Carolina Handbook
North Carolina 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 North Carolina CDL questions

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

. . . and answers to many more North Carolina CDL questions!

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

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