Get your CDL In Indiana
Get your CDL In Indiana:
To obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Indiana, you need to meet specific requirements and complete a series of steps. The process involves gathering documentation, passing written and skills tests, and paying the necessary fees. Here’s a general overview:
1. Eligibility Requirements:
– You must be at least 18 years old to drive within Indiana and 21 years old to drive across state lines or transport hazardous materials.
– You should hold a valid Indiana driver’s license.
– You must provide proof of your Social Security Number.
2. Documentation:
– Gather the required documentation, including proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate, passport), proof of residency, and proof of Social Security Number.
– You may also need to provide documents verifying your legal presence in the United States.
3. CDL Written Test:
– Study the Indiana Commercial Driver’s License Manual thoroughly.
– Visit a local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) license branch to take the written CDL exam.
– The exam covers general knowledge, specific vehicle classes, air brakes (if applicable), and any additional endorsements you seek.
4. CDL Skills Test:
– Schedule an appointment at a BMV license branch or an authorized third-party testing location to take the CDL skills test.
– The skills test consists of three parts: pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving.
– You’ll need to provide the appropriate vehicle for each test, such as a commercial vehicle of the appropriate class.
5. Medical Examination:
– Obtain a medical examination from a certified medical examiner.
– The medical examiner will complete the Medical Examination Report (MER) and provide you with a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC).
6. Fees:
– The fees for obtaining a CDL in Indiana can vary. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the fee for a Class A, B, or C CDL was $30 for an eight-year license and $9 for each endorsement.
– Additional fees may apply for duplicates, skills tests, and other services.
Please note that the fees and specific procedures may have changed since my last update. To get the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the official website of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) or contact your local BMV license branch in Indiana. They will provide you with the current requirements and fees for obtaining a CDL in Indiana.
What is required to obtain a CLP?
- You must be at least 18-years-old if you will be transporting property within state lines or be at least 21-years-old if you will be transporting people, and
- You must have held a driver’s license for at least one year.
- When applying for your first CDL (or CLP) in Indiana, you must provide a valid Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC). To maintain a valid CLP or CDL, you must provide a valid MER and MEC prior to the expiration of your current MER and MEC on file with the BMV.
How long is a CLP valid?
When you pass a knowledge exam, the results are valid for 180 days. You may receive only three CLPs in two years. A CLP is valid for 180 days.
Holders of a valid CLP may operate a commercial motor vehicle only when accompanied by the holder of a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), who has the proper class and endorsement(s) necessary to operate the commercial motor vehicle.
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations set the baseline for training requirements for entry-level drivers. The ELDT regulations are effective February 7, 2022.
The regulations affect those who are applying to:
- Obtain a Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time;
- Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
- Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
The ELDT regulations are not retroactive. If an applicant obtained a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or CDL prior to February 7, 2022 in the above situations the applicant is not subject to the ELDT requirements.
When applicants visit a branch to complete a hazardous materials knowledge exam, BMV branch staff will verify training prior to administration of the exam.
For applicants for the Class A/B, School Bus or Passenger endorsement the training will be verified by the 3rd Party CDL Skills Test site prior to scheduling the CDL skills test.
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