Indiana CDL Requirements

Indiana CDL Classes

      In the state of Indiana you must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the state lines (intrastate) and at least 21 years of age to drive a commercial motor vehicle outside the state lines (interstate). You must also be at least 21 years old to operate a commercial passenger vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers, including the driver. You need an Indiana CDL in order to operate either commercial or non-commercial motor vehicles that fall into the following categories:

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Class A
      Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the gross vehicle weight rating of the towed vehicle is in excess of 10,000 pounds.  

Class B
      Any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 or more pounds, as well as any vehicle towing another vehicle that does not exceed a weight of 10,000 pounds. 

Class C
      Any vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the criteria of either Class A or Class B, but is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or is used in transporting materials classified as hazardous in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. Each applicant must also have a passenger or hazardous materials endorsement in order to obtain a Class C commercial driver’s license. 

Applying for an Indiana Commercial Learner’s Permit

      You must already possess an Indiana commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before you can take the CDL skills test. Before applying for an Indiana commercial learner’s permit, you must already possess a valid Indiana Class D driver’s license. You will be issued an Indiana commercial driver’s license (CDL) when you pass both the written general knowledge test and the CDL Driving Skills Test. 

      In order to obtain an Indiana commercial learner’s permit, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving (within Indiana state lines).
• Be at least 21 years of age for interstate driving (outside Indiana state lines).
• Be at least 21 years of age to transport passengers.
• Possess a valid Indiana Class D driver’s license for at least one year.
• Provide your Social Security card.
• Prove you are of legal U.S. status by providing your SecureID card .
• Provide proof of your current Indiana residency that shows your name and current address (i.e., a utility bill, vehicle registration, etc.).
• Provide your current D.O.T. medical examination (cannot be more than 2 years old).
• Pass the CDL general knowledge written test. 
• Pay the $16 fee for the commercial learner’s permit.

      If you have questions about which documents to bring to the DMV when you apply for your commercial learner’s permit, you may call the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-888-692-6841 and speak to a customer service representative. You can email any questions you may have to the Indiana BMV as well.  

      Over 60% of first time CDL applicants fail the written test! Be sure to download the Complete CDL Practice Test Study Package, as it contains practice tests containing questions and answers specifically designed to help you pass the actual CDL written tests administered by the DMV. You may also want to download the Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package as it includes a collection of study guides with key information designed to help you rapidly learn all the sections of the CDL manual you must know in order to pass the CDL written exams.

100% Money Back Guarantee!
Complete Indiana CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package

Why risk failing your CDL written exams on the first try? Get the Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package and be fully prepared for your CDL written exams. Best of all, there’s a 100% Money Back Guarantee if you fail your CDL written exams!

Our Free CDL Tests will help prepare you for the actual CDL knowledge tests administered by the DMV.

      Click here to see a map and clickable list of Indiana driver’s license branch locations that offer the CDL written tests.

Applying for an Indiana Commercial Driver’s License

      In order to obtain an Indiana commercial driver’s license, you must:

• Possess a valid Indiana commercial learner’s permit.
• Possess a current Department of Transportation medical card.
• Provide proof of vehicle insurance and vehicle registration (must be verified before you can take the test).
• Provide a passenger with a valid Indiana CDL to ride with you in your commercial vehicle to the test site.
• Pass the CDL general knowledge test.
• Pass the CDL Driving Skills Test.
• Pay the $100 test fee if you use your own vehicle.
• Pay the $175 test fee if you use the test facility’s vehicle.
• Pay the $30 fee for the commercial driver’s license.

      The CDL Driving Skills Test consists of a Pre-trip inspection, a Basic Vehicle Control test, and an On-Road Driving test and must be taken in the same class and type of motor vehicle you plan to drive once you obtain your CDL.  If you take the CDL Driving Skills Test in a commercial motor vehicle that is not equipped with air brakes, then you will have an air brakes restriction attached to your commercial driver’s license. 

      Click here to see a map and clickable list of Indiana state approved CDL Driving Skills Test sites.

The CDL Driving Skills Test

      The CDL Driving Skills Test is a three part test and consists of the following:

• Pre-trip Inspection: Before you can take the CDL driving tests, you will first be tested on your knowledge of the class of vehicle you plan on driving once you obtain your CDL. The Pre-trip inspection also determines if your commercial vehicle is safe enough to drive on public roads.
• Skills Test: Before you can take the CDL Road Test, you will first need to prove that you have the skills to operate a commercial motor vehicle on public roads. This test consists of various off-road maneuvers such as backing up your vehicle. 
• Road Test: Once you pass the first two tests, you will be required to drive your commercial vehicle on public roads in various traffic situations. You will be required to operate the same class of commercial vehicle you plan to drive once you obtain your CDL.

      Once you obtain your Indiana commercial driver’s license, it will be valid for up to four years from the date it is issued.

Be sure to download and study the Indiana CDL Manual as it contains the information you need to pass the CDL Driving Skills Test.

Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver’s License

      In order to apply for a commercial driver’s license, you must have a medical form completed by one of the following:

• Licensed U.S. doctor of medicine (M.D.)
• Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O)
• Licensed physician assistant (P.A.)
• Advanced practice registered nurse
• Chiropractor

      The Medical Examiner’s Certificate must be dated within the previous two years and attached to the Medical Examination Report (Form 649-F).

      The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles will only accept a Medical Examination Report (Form 649-F) that has been completed by a qualified physician who has been certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can search for a FMCSA certified physician by using the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

      The FMSCA requires you to have at least 20/40 vision in each eye and a field of vision of at least 140 degrees in order to be certified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Under certain conditions, you may be able to be waived from these requirements.

      You can submit your completed medical report form by doing any of the following:

• Fax your completed medical report form to: (317) 974-1613
• Drop off the completed medical report form at any Indiana BMV branch.
• Mail your completed medical form to:

                              Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
                              Attn: CDL Programs
                              100 N Senate Ave
                              IGCN, Room N 481
                              Indianapolis, IN 46204

      You may check the status of your medical examination by viewing your driving record using your myBMV account, or by contacting the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-888-692-6841, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Military Drivers

      In the state of Indiana, if you are currently serving in the military or have been honorably discharged within the last 90 days, and you have driven military vehicles that would require a CDL to operate as a civilian with a 2 year safe driving record, then you qualify for the waiver of the CDL Skills Test and are exempt from taking the commercial driver skills test. You will also be reimbursed for the cost of the CDL Driving skills Test and the rental fee of the test vehicle, but only if you pass the test. You will still be required to take the written test. Certain restrictions apply.

      Download, print, and complete the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver. After the applicant has completed the waiver form (must be signed by their Commanding Officer) and completed the proper CDL written tests to obtain their Indiana commercial learner’s permit, they must then submit the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver, a copy of their Military CDL, and  the Service School Academic Evaluation Report (Form DA 1059) to the Indiana BMV by doing one of the following:  

• Fax the completed and signed documents to: (317) 974-1615.
• Drop the completed and signed documents off at any Indiana BMV branch.
• Mail the completed and signed documents to:

                              Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
                              Attn: CDL Programs
                              100 N Senate Ave
                              IGCN, Room N 481
                              Indianapolis, IN 46204

      Once the proper documents have been submitted, they will be processed and the applicant will be contacted.

Indiana CDL Endorsements

      H      Placarded Hazmat      Required to transport hazardous materials under DOT regulations. 

      N      Tank Vehicles      Required to transport liquids in bulk containers of 1,000 gallons or more.

      X      Tanker/Hazardous Materials Combination   Required to transport hazardous materials in tank vehicles   

      T      Double/Triple Trailers      Indicates CDL holder is certified to operate multiple trailer haulers. 

      P     Passengers      Indicates the CDL holder is certified to operate passenger vehicles.

      S     School Bus      Indicates the CDL holder is authorized to operate a school bus. The “P” endorsement is also required.

      C      Charter Bus      Indicates that the CDL holder is authorized to drive a bus transporting students to and from school sponsored activities.

Indiana CDL Restrictions

      The following CDL restrictions are based on the driver passing the necessary commercial driver’s license written knowledge tests or driving skills tests. The following restrictions may be added or removed from the commercial driver’s license: 

• E – Automatic transmission commercial motor vehicle
• K – Intrastate driving only (may only drive a CMV within Indiana state lines)
• L – May not drive CMV equipped with air brakes
• N – No Class A or Class B passenger vehicle
• Q – May only drive a bus
• O – Not authorized to drive a tractor trailer.
• T – Prohibited from transporting materials deemed hazardous 
• M – May not drive a Class A passenger vehicle
• R – Valid for Restricted Agricultural CDL Priveliges Only when presented with Seasonal Validation Document

Important Indiana Commercial Driver’s License Resources

Complete CDL Practice Test Study Package
Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package
Self Certify at myBMV.com
Application for Military Skills Test Waiver
Service School Academic Evaluation Report Form DA 1059
Medical Examination Report Form 649-F
Medical Examiner’s Certificate
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fee Chart
Contact the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles by Email
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

      Check out our list of truck driving schools in Indiana that will provide you with the necessary skills to obtain your commercial driver’s license and start your career in the exciting field of commercial truck driving! You may also want to check out our nationwide list of truck driving schools. 

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Map 1 of Indiana CDL Written Test Locations 

Map 2 of Indiana CDL Written Test Locations

Map of Authorized CDL Driving Skills Test Sites

Some CDL testing locations require you to set up an appointment. CDL testing hours may vary. Please call the testing location for more information. 

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