Getting your CDL in Florida

Trucking Schools in Florida

Getting your CDL In Florida

Getting your CDL In Florida: 

To obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Florida, you need to fulfill 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 Florida and 21 years old to drive across state lines or transport hazardous materials.
– You should hold a valid Florida 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 Florida Commercial Driver License Handbook thoroughly.
– Visit a local Division of Driver Licenses (DDL) office 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. Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP):
– Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) by passing the written knowledge test for the appropriate CDL class and endorsements.
– The CLP allows you to practice driving a commercial vehicle under the supervision of a CDL holder.

5. CDL Skills Test:
– Schedule an appointment at a DDL office 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.

6. 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).

7. Fees:
– The fees for obtaining a CDL in Florida can vary. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the fee for a Class A, B, or C CDL was $75, which included the written and skills tests.
– Additional fees may apply for endorsements, duplicates, 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 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or contact your local Division of Driver Licenses (DDL) office in Florida. They will provide you with the current requirements and fees for obtaining a CDL in Florida.

General Information

NOTICE:  EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 7, 2022, THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S (FMCSA) ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING (ELDT) REGULATIONS WILL TAKE EFFECT. THESE REGULATIONS SET THE BASELINE FOR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY LEVEL COMMERCIAL DRIVERS. THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS MUST BE VERIFIED PRIOR TO TAKING A SKILLS TEST WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DRIVERS TAKING THE KNOWLEDGE EXAM TO OBTAIN A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ENDORSEMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME, IN WHICH CASE THE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE VERIFIED PRIOR TO TAKING THE EXAM.
ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING APPLIES TO THOSE APPLYING TO:
  • OBTAIN A CLASS A OR CLASS B 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.
IF A DRIVER HOLDS A COMMERCIAL LEARNERS PERMIT (CLP) THAT WAS ISSUED BEFORE FEBRUARY 7, 2022, THE DRIVER IS NOT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING AS LONG AS THE DRIVER OBTAINS A CDL BEFORE THE CLP EXPIRES.
FLORIDA WILL ALLOW THE APPLICANTS TO BE SCHEDULED FOR A CDL SKILLS TEST PRIOR TO THE APPLICANT COMPLETING THE REQUIRED ELDT TRAINING AND THE TRAINING INFORMATION BEING UPDATED IN THE TRAINING PROVIDER REGISTRY (TPR). HOWEVER, THE ELDT REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BEFORE TAKING THE TEST.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT FMCSA’S ELDT WEBPAGE.
Customers with CDL licenses that have expired for one year or more, will be required to complete and pass all applicable CDL knowledge and skills exams to obtain a new “Original” CDL.

 

Do I need a CDL?

All applicants for a Commercial Driver License are required to have an Operator’s License, pass the vision requirements, and pass knowledge and skills tests. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. If they are under 21, they will be restricted to intrastate operation only.

Knowledge tests are offered in multiple languages and may be taken orally in English or Spanish with the exception of the hazardous materials test. Skills tests must be conducted in English. Interpreters may not be used during the administration of any tests. Review the CDL Handbook.

Class A Requirements – To operate trucks or truck combinations weighing 26,001 lbs or more, and towing a vehicle/unit over 10,000 lbs, a Class A license is required. The following tests are required:

  • Knowledge Tests
    • General Knowledge Test
    • Combination Vehicles Test
    • Air Brakes Test (if applicable, most Class A vehicles are equipped with Air Brakes but not all)
    • Applicable exams for desired endorsements
  • Skills Tests
    • Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection
    • Basic Vehicle Control
    • On-road Test

Class B Requirements – To operate straight trucks and buses 26,001 lbs or more, a Class B license is required. The following tests are required:

  • Knowledge Tests
    • General Knowledge Test
    • Air Brakes Test (if applicable)
    • Applicable exams for desired endorsements
  • Skills Tests
    • Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection
    • Basic Vehicle Control
    • On-road Test

Class C Requirements – To operate vehicles transporting placarded amounts of hazardous materials, or vehicles designed to transport 16 or more people including the driver, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 lbs, a Class C license is required. The following tests are required:

  • Knowledge Tests
    • General Knowledge Test
    • Air Brakes Test (if applicable)
    • Applicable exams for desired endorsements
  • Skills Tests
    • Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection
    • Basic Vehicle Control
    • On-road Test

Already have an out of state CDL?

We will reciprocate an out of state or a Canadian commercial driver license. However, an out of state applicant with a hazmat endorsement will have to reapply for a hazmat endorsement, which will include a background check, appropriate tests and fees.

Already have a Military CDL?

Military or prior military customers requesting to be issued a CDL due to qualifications of experience while serving on military duty must:

  • Pass all required knowledge and endorsement tests for the CDL license class and endorsements they are applying to obtain, and
  • Present the Certification for Waiver of Skill Test for Military Personnel form completed by their commanding officer or designee while on active duty or within 90 days of separation from service in order to be exempt from taking the skills tests.

The process must be completed and the CDL issued within 120 days of separation from service.

What are Endorsements?

An “Endorsement” is a special authorization, which permits a driver to drive certain types of vehicles, to transport certain types of property, or a certain number of passengers. The following endorsements can be placed on Class A, B, or C commercial driver licenses.

  1. Placarded Hazmat (H) – Issued to those who have passed the required written test and who will transport placarded hazardous materials.
  2. Tank Vehicles (N) – Issued to those who have passed the required written test and who will drive tank vehicles.
  3. Passengers (P) – Issued to those who have passed the required written and skills test and who will drive passenger vehicles. A passenger vehicle is any vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver.
  4. School Bus (S) – Issued to those who have passed the required written and skills test and who will transport pre-primary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events (does not include a bus used as a common carrier). The P endorsement is also required.
  5. Double/Triple Trailers (T) – Issued to those who have passed the required written test and who will drive double or triple tractor- trailer vehicles. Triple trailers are not allowed on Florida roads.
  6. Placarded Hazmat & Tank Vehicles (X) – Issued to those who qualify for the H and N endorsements.