Wisconsin CDL Requirements
Wisconsin CDL Classes
You must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the state of Wisconsin (intrastate) and at least 21 years of age to operate a commercial motor vehicle outside the state of Wisconsin (interstate). You must also be at least 21 years old to transport materials that are deemed hazardous and to transport passengers using a commercial motor vehicle. You need a Wisconsin CDL in order to operate either commercial or non-commercial motor vehicles that fall into the following categories:
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- FREE Bonus CDL Pre-Trip Cheat Sheet
- Available in English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese & More
- Rated 4.6 Stars Out of Over 22,000 Customer Reviews
- 100% REFUND If You Don’t Pass Your Written Tests
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 a Wisconsin Commercial Learner’s Permit
You must already possess a Wisconsin commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before you can take the CDL Skills Test. Before applying for a Wisconsin commercial learner’s permit, you must already possess a valid Wisconsin Class D regular driver’s license. You will be issued a Wisconsin commercial driver’s license (CDL) when you pass both the written general knowledge test and the CDL Skills Test.
In order to obtain a commercial learner’s permit in the state of Wisconsin, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving (within the state of Wisconsin only).
- Be at least 21 years of age for interstate driving (outside the state of Wisconsin).
- Be at least 21 years of age to transport materials deemed hazardous.
- Be at least 21 years of age to transport passengers in a CMV.
- Possess a valid Wisconsin Class D regular driver’s license.
- Not be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
- Provide your current out-of-state driver’s license or I.D. card (if you are not currently licensed in the state of Wisconsin).
- Provide original documented proof of your identification and date of birth (i.e., a certified birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, valid I.D. card).
- Provide original documented proof of your Social Security number (i.e., your Social Security card, W-2 form, pay stub with your name/SSN).
- Provide original documented proof of U.S. legal presence (i.e., a certified birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, valid I.D. card, etc.).
- Provide proof of your current Wisconsin residency that shows your name and address (i.e., a utility bill, current vehicle registration, W-2 form).
- Provide your current Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate).
- Certify that your privilege to drive any motor vehicle is not currently suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified anywhere.
- Certify that you currently hold no more than one driver’s license.
- Certify your tier of operation, indicating whether you intend to drive a CMV in intrastate commerce or interstate commerce.
- Pass the physical exam (must be administered by a FMCSA certified physician).
- Pass the vision exam (you must have at least 20/40 vision in each eye with or without glasses).
- Pass the color blindness test (you must be able to recognize green, red, and amber colors).
- Complete, sign, and submit the Wisconsin Driver License (DL) Application.
- Pass the CDL written knowledge test.
- Pass any other written tests required for the class and type of vehicle you are applying for.
- Pass any written tests required for any CDL endorsements you are applying for.
- Pay the $30 commercial learner’s permit fee.
No fee is charged for the knowledge test.
Most first-time CDL applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before becoming eligible to take the CDL Skills Test. ELDT applies to drivers seeking their first CDL, drivers upgrading from Class B to Class A, and drivers adding a Hazardous Materials (H), Passenger (P), or School Bus (S) endorsement. Training must be completed through a provider listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov, and it covers both theory and behind-the-wheel instruction. Drivers issued a Class A or Class B CDL, or a P, S, or H endorsement, before February 7, 2022 are exempt from ELDT.
If you have any questions about the commercial licensing process in Wisconsin, you can speak to a customer service representative at the WisDOT Division of Motor Vehicles Phone Center by calling (608) 264-7447 during normal business hours. You can also email the WisDOT DMV at opa.exec@dot.wi.gov. The WisDOT Division of Motor Vehicles is closed during all state holidays.
The CDL Knowledge Tests
The CDL knowledge tests are administered at the Wisconsin DMV Customer Service Centers. All commercial driver’s license applicants must pass the general knowledge test in order to be eligible to receive a CDL. Applicants must also take the knowledge tests whenever they add a class of vehicle to their CDL, add special endorsements to their CDL, or to remove an air brakes restriction that has been placed on their CDL.
The CDL general knowledge test consists of 50 questions in multiple choice form. In order to receive a passing score, each applicant is required to answer at least 80% of the questions correctly in the time allotted for that test. All knowledge tests require a score of at least 80% to pass. Any applicant that exceeds the time limit or incorrectly answers too many questions on the general knowledge test will fail the test.
Any applicant that uses any kind of test aid during the test will automatically fail the test. Anyone caught talking to another person during the test will automatically fail the test. Use of cell phones and camera devices is prohibited in the testing area. If you fail a knowledge test, you can generally retake it as soon as the next business day. However, if you fail a knowledge test because you were caught cheating or using unauthorized assistance, you will be required to wait at least seven days before you can take the test again.
All applicants should arrive at the DMV Service Center at least one hour prior to closing when taking the knowledge tests. Most DMV Service Centers are busier during the afternoon hours so, please keep that in mind when you plan on taking your test.
Once you successfully pass the required knowledge tests, the WisDOT Division of Motor Vehicles will issue you a commercial learner’s permit so that you can practice operating a commercial motor vehicle. The permit is valid for commercial motor vehicles only. The commercial learner’s permit will be valid for 180 consecutive days (6 months) from the date of issuance. If you do not pass all three tests of the CDL Skills Test within the 180 day period, you must renew your CLP and will be required to retake all three tests of the CDL Skills Test.
You may only operate a CMV under the supervision of a front seat passenger who is at least 21 years old and carries a valid Wisconsin CDL of the same class as the vehicle you are operating. You may only operate a commercial vehicle outside the state of Wisconsin if you are at least 21 years of age and carry a valid Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate). You may not operate any vehicle that is transporting materials deemed hazardous. You may not transport passengers.
Over 60% of first time CDL applicants fail the written test! Be sure to buy 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 buy 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 Wisconsin CDL Practice Test Study Package
Why risk failing your CDL written exams on the first try? Get the Complete CDL Practice Test 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!
- FREE Bonus CDL Pre-Trip Cheat Sheet
- FREE Bonus National Signs & Signals Test
- Rated 4.6 Stars Out of Over 22,000 Customer Reviews
- 100% REFUND If You Don’t Pass Your Written Tests
100% Money Back Guarantee!
Complete Wisconsin 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!
- FREE Bonus CDL Pre-Trip Cheat Sheet
- Available in English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese & More
- Rated 4.6 Stars Out of Over 22,000 Customer Reviews
- 100% REFUND If You Don’t Pass Your Written Tests
Our Free CDL Permit Test will help prepare you for the actual CDL knowledge tests administered by the DMV.
Click here to see the map and clickable list of Wisconsin DMV Customer Service Centers that administer the CDL knowledge tests.
Applying for a Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s License
In order to obtain a commercial driver’s license in the state of Wisconsin, you must:
- Possess a valid Wisconsin commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days.
- Possess a valid Wisconsin Class D regular driver’s license.
- Possess a current D.O.T. card (cannot be more than 2 years old).
- Provide proof of vehicle insurance and vehicle registration (must be verified before you can take the test).
- Complete, sign, and submit the Wisconsin Driver License (DL) Application.
- Certify your tier of operation, indicating whether you intend to drive a CMV in intrastate commerce or interstate commerce.
- Certify that your privilege to drive any motor vehicle is not currently suspended, revoked, cancelled, or disqualified anywhere.
- Provide a test vehicle of the same class as the CDL you are testing for that has passed inspection.
- Provide a passenger that is 21 years of age or older with a valid Wisconsin CDL to ride with you in your test vehicle to the test location.
- Schedule an appointment for the CDL Skills Test with a state certified CDL Third Party Tester.
- Pass the CDL Skills Test.
- Pay the $150 CDL Skills Test fee ($50 for each part of the three-part Skills Test).
- Pay the $74 commercial driver’s license fee (the fee is prorated for time remaining on Wisconsin Class D driver’s license).
- Have your photo taken for the commercial driver’s license.
The CDL Skills Test
Once you have held your commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 consecutive days, you will be allowed to take the CDL Skills Test. The total fee for the Skills Test is $150 when all three parts of the test are successfully completed at one time. Otherwise, each part of the three part Skills Test has a fee of $50.
The Skills Test is given by appointment only and is administered by state certified CDL Third Party Testers. Walk-ins are not permitted. To schedule a test appointment, contact any of the CDL Third Party Testers on the Wisconsin CDL Third Party Testing Agents by County list.
You must provide your own test vehicle. A CDL Third Party Tester may provide a vehicle for you to test in although, an additional rental fee may be charged for use of the test vehicle. Call the tester for details. Please note, some CDL Third Party Testers may choose to charge you less than the $150 fee for their services.
The CDL Skills Test is a three part test that consists of a Pre-trip Inspection, a Basic Vehicle Controls Test, and an On-Road Driving Test. You will be required to take the test in the same class and type of motor vehicle that you plan to drive once you obtain your CDL. If you take the CDL 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.
If you fail any one part of the CDL Skills Test, you will only be required to retake that part of the CDL Skills Test again. Any other parts of the test you have already passed will still be valid for the life of your commercial learner’s permit (180 total days) or until you pass all three parts of the Skills Test. Only one CDL Skills Test can be taken per day. The waiting period before you can retest depends on which part you failed: if you fail the Vehicle Inspection, you must wait at least two business days to reschedule; if you fail the Basic Control Skills (backing) test, or fail the Skills Test by 10 points or less, you must wait seven days; and if you fail the Road Test by more than 10 points or commit a dangerous driving act, you must wait 14 days.
If your test vehicle is not legally equipped and safe to drive, you will not be able to proceed with the Skills Test. During the Pre-trip Inspection, you will be allowed to use the CDL Vehicle Inspection Memory Aid, but it cannot be altered in any way, front or back, and cannot have any handwritten notes on it.
- 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. If you fail the Pre-trip Inspection, you may not be allowed to take the Road Skills Test.
- Basic Controls Test: Before you can take the Road Skills 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, moving your vehicle forward, and making turns within a defined area.
- Road Skills 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.
The Basic Controls Test consists of the following four exercises:
- Forward Stop
- Straight-Line Backing
- Forward Offset Tracking
- Reverse Offset Backing
The Road Skills Test will be administered on a route predetermined by the examiner. The test route will most likely include the following:
- Starting
- Stopping
- Braking
- Turning
- Observing traffic signs
- Observing traffic signals
- Observing other traffic
- Using vehicle controls
- Maintaining proper lane positions
- Downgrades
- Downgrade stopping
- Upgrades
- Upgrade stopping
- Railroad crossings
- Bridge clearance
- Underpass clearance
- General observance of traffic laws
- General safe driving practices for trucks or buses
On the day of your CDL Skills Test appointment you must:
- Arrive on time.
- Bring your validated commercial learner’s permit.
- Bring your valid D.O.T. medical card (cannot be more than 2 years old).
- Bring a passenger (age 21 or older) that is qualified to drive a CMV with the same class of CDL or greater than the test vehicle.
- Bring a test vehicle that is the same class of license that you are testing for and that has passed inspection.
Failure to do any of the above may result in an immediate cancellation of your CDL Skills Test appointment! The WisDOT Division of Motor Vehicles advises applicants to schedule their Skills Test appointment a few weeks in advance and to arrive early for their test appointment. If you decide to cancel your Skills Test appointment, you must cancel the appointment no later than 24 hours in advance.
The WisDOT Division of Motor Vehicles has the right to cancel any CDL Skills Test appointment due to bad weather, under sourced staffing, or any other unforseen circumstances. Be sure to call the CDL Third Party Tester on the day of your Skills Test to see if your appointment has been cancelled.
Be sure to download and study the Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual, as it contains pertinent information that will help you pass the CDL Skills Test. El Manual del Conductor Comercial Wisconsin también está disponible en español. Don’t forget, you can use the CDL Vehicle Inspection Memory Aid during the Pre-trip Inspection phase of the Skills Test.
Click here to see the list of Wisconsin approved CDL Third Party Testers.
Commercial Driver Self-Certification
In the state of Wisconsin, all commercial driver’s license holders must certify their tier of operation — the type of driving they will be doing (interstate or intrastate) and whether they are required to meet the medical and physical standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You certify your tier of operation by completing the Commercial Driver Certification: Tier of Operation (Form MV3230) and submitting it in person at a DMV Customer Service Center. Your tier of operation determines whether you must keep a valid Federal Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Fed Med card) on file with the Wisconsin DMV.
You are required to certify or update your tier of operation whenever you:
- Apply for a commercial driver’s license.
- Renew a commercial driver’s license.
- Apply for a higher class of commercial driver’s license.
- Apply for a new CDL endorsement.
- Transfer a commercial driver’s license from another state.
- Change the type of driving you do.
Certain drivers do not need a commercial driver’s license and are considered “exempt.” In Wisconsin, the following drivers are not required to hold a CDL:
- Persons operating a Special Purpose Commercial vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less.
- Fire and emergency vehicles used to preserve life and property or to carry out governmental operations.
- Vehicles operated by non-civilian operators of military equipment.
- Recreational vehicles that are being used for personal recreational use only.
- Any farm vehicle used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies within 150 air-miles of the owner’s farm and not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier.
Any driver who will be operating a commercial motor vehicle for agricultural purposes will want to read over the Wisconsin Farm Service Commercial Driver License Fact Sheet.
The state of Wisconsin uses a four-tier system to determine which category each commercial driver must certify under:
- Tier 1 (NI – Non-Excepted Interstate) – You drive interstate (you or your cargo cross Wisconsin state lines) and therefore you need a Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate) to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Tier 1 is the most flexible option, covering operation both in state and out of state.
- Tier 2 (EI – Excepted Interstate) – You drive interstate but operate solely under a federally excepted category, and therefore you do not need a Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate) to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
- Tier 3 (NA – Non-Excepted Intrastate) – You drive intrastate (you and your cargo do not cross Wisconsin state lines) and therefore you need a Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate) to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
- Tier 4 (EA – Excepted Intrastate) – You drive intrastate and qualify for a federal or Wisconsin exception, and therefore you do not need a Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate) to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
If you certify under Tier 1 or Tier 3, you must keep a valid medical examination reported to the Wisconsin DMV at all times in order to remain qualified at your tier of operation. Tier 1 drivers who do not have a valid examination available for the Wisconsin DMV to place on their record will have their CDL classes and endorsements surrendered until a valid examination is reported or the tier of operation is adjusted.
If you operate a commercial motor vehicle solely for the following purposes, then you are considered “excepted” and fall under the Tier 2 category, and therefore you do not need to provide a Fed Med card:
- All school bus operations. (School bus drivers must have a current school bus physical on file using the Physical Examination Report Form MV3030B; an existing Fed Med card may be used in place of the MV3030B.)
- Transportation performed by the federal government, a state, or any political subdivision of a state.
- Transporting human corpses or sick and injured persons.
- Operating fire trucks and rescue vehicles while involved in emergency and related operations.
- Operating vehicles designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers, not for direct compensation.
- Transporting propane winter heating fuel during an emergency, or responding to a pipeline emergency.
- Farm custom operations, custom-harvesting operations, transporting farm machinery or supplies to or from a farm for custom-harvesting operations, or transporting custom-harvested crops to storage or market.
- Operating a commercial motor vehicle controlled and operated by a beekeeper engaged in the seasonal transportation of bees.
- Operating as a private motor carrier of passengers for non-business purposes.
- Occasional transportation of personal property, not for compensation or commercial enterprise.
You fall under the Tier 4 category, and therefore do not need to provide a Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate), if you operate under one of the federally excepted categories listed under Tier 2, or if you meet one of these Wisconsin exceptions:
- You drive a tow truck when requested by a federal, state, or local government officer to move a wrecked or disabled vehicle.
- You were grandfathered in by holding a valid commercial driver’s license since July 29, 1996 that has never been revoked.
Effective April 13, 2025, the way medical certification is handled in Wisconsin changed. When a Fed Med card is required, your physical exam must be completed by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The examiner submits your results electronically to the FMCSA within 48 hours of the exam, and those results are then sent to — or pulled by — the Wisconsin DMV automatically. For DOT physicals completed on or after April 13, 2025, the DMV no longer accepts paper, emailed, faxed, or uploaded Fed Med information.
If your DOT physical was completed before April 13, 2025, you can still submit your Fed Med card by email to fedmed@dot.wi.gov, by fax to (608) 261-8201, or by mail (call (608) 267-2290 for mailing details).
Any time you change your tier of operation, you must also pay for a duplicate CDL. You can use the Wisconsin DMV online status checker to view your Fed Med information and print verification of your current tier of operation.
If you have any questions regarding tier certification or your Fed Med card, you can contact the Wisconsin DMV by emailing fedmed@dot.wi.gov or by calling (608) 267-2290.
Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver’s License
All CDL applicants who are required to hold a Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate) must have the Medical Examination Report 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 examiner must be certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate) must be dated within the previous two years if you are renewing your commercial driver’s license.
The FMSCA requires you to have at least 20/40 vision in each eye and a field of vision of at least 140 degrees (70 degrees in each eye) in order to be certified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Under certain conditions, you may be able to be waived from these and other medical requirements.
As of April 13, 2025, your medical examiner submits your exam results electronically to the FMCSA within 48 hours, and the Wisconsin DMV receives or pulls those results automatically — so for physicals completed on or after that date, you do not need to submit your Fed Med card yourself. If your physical was completed before April 13, 2025, you can submit your completed and signed Fed Med card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate) by doing any of the following:
- Fax your completed and signed documents to (608) 261-8201.
- Email your completed and signed documents as an email attachment to fedmed@dot.wi.gov.
- Mail your completed and signed documents (call (608) 267-2290 for mailing details):
Wisconsin DMV
P.O. Box 7995
Madison, WI 53707-7995
Please include your name, address, and contact number on all mailings, faxes, and emails. Make sure your information is legible and be sure to double check and, if needed, correct any errors before submitting your documents. All CDL applicants are advised to keep copies of these documents for their own records. Failure to comply with state and federal certification regulations will result in a suspension, downgrade, or cancellation of your commercial driving privileges.
If you have any questions regarding tier certification or your Fed Med card, you can contact the Wisconsin DMV by emailing fedmed@dot.wi.gov or by calling (608) 267-2290.
Hazmat Endorsement
Any person that is applying for a Hazardous Materials (H) CDL endorsement must successfully complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before becoming eligible for the Hazardous Materials knowledge test. Applicants must also pass that knowledge test, complete the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Application (Form MV3735), and undergo a federal background check that includes fingerprinting, in accordance with Transportation Security Administration guidelines. All applicants must provide the required documents to verify their identification and legal U.S. status. A background check and fingerprinting are required for all drivers obtaining, renewing, or transferring the “H” endorsement for the first time.
In Wisconsin, fingerprinting for the Hazardous Materials endorsement is handled through Fieldprint. You can schedule your fingerprinting appointment at fieldprintwisconsin.com. You must begin the process well before your CDL expires.
The Hazardous Materials endorsement fee is $67.25 (or $57.25 when applied for in conjunction with a CDL renewal), payable to the DMV and non-refundable. You will also pay a separate $23.75 fingerprinting fee, payable to Fieldprint and non-refundable.
Military Drivers
If you hold a military license that allows you to operate a military commercial vehicle, you may be able to use your military driving experience to obtain a Wisconsin CDL by waiving the CDL Skills Test. The skills test waiver is available to current members of the military and to former members within one year after separation or retirement, including members of Reserve and National Guard units. You must be a Wisconsin resident, and you must still pass the required commercial knowledge test(s). This waiver does not cover the Hazardous Materials or School Bus endorsements. To apply, complete the Military Service CDL Skills Test Waiver Application (Form MV3588) — Section 2 must be completed by your training or commanding officer — along with the Wisconsin Driver License Application (Form MV3001) and the Commercial Driver Certification: Tier of Operation (Form MV3230), and present proof of your current or previous military service (such as your DD-214/NGB-22 or current military ID).
Wisconsin also participates in the federal “Even Exchange” program, which waives both the knowledge and skills testing requirements for qualifying drivers. To use the Even Exchange program, you must have been regularly employed within the last year in one of the qualifying Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and have your experience verified by your commanding officer on Form MV3588. The qualifying specialties are 88M, 92F, or 14T (U.S. Army); 2T1, 2F0, or 3E2 (U.S. Air Force); 3531 (U.S. Marine Corps); and EO (U.S. Navy). As with the skills test waiver, you must be a Wisconsin resident, the program is available only to current and former (within one year of separation or retirement) service members, including Reserve and National Guard, and it does not cover the Hazardous Materials or School Bus endorsements.
When you transfer a valid military CDL to a Wisconsin CDL, or renew or upgrade your current CDL, the issuance fee is waived if you present your valid military commercial driver license. This fee waiver applies to the CDL itself, not to a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP), and additional fees may still apply if you are adding the School Bus (S) or Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement.
If you have any questions about the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver, you can speak to a customer service representative at the WisDOT Division of Motor Vehicles Phone Center by calling (608) 264-7447 during normal business hours. You can also email the WisDOT DMV at opa.exec@dot.wi.gov. The WisDOT Division of Motor Vehicles is closed during all state holidays.
Wisconsin 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.
Adding or upgrading classes and endorsements carries additional fees. A class upgrade is $15 (for one or more classes), and each endorsement upgrade is $5 plus a $10 issuance fee. Adding a School Bus (S) endorsement for the first time is $10, while keeping an existing S endorsement when you renew or transfer a CDL from another state is $5 (plus the CDL fee). A duplicate CDL is $14.
Methods of Payment
The WisDOT DMV Service Centers accept the following methods of payment:
- Cash (accepted only at DMV Customer Service Centers)
- Checks (made payable to “Registration Fee Trust”)
- Debit Cards
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Discover
- American Express (in person at DMV Customer Service Centers)
- PayPal (available with some online services)
- ACH (deducts fees directly from your checking or savings account with no added convenience/service fee)
When you pay by credit card, debit card, or PayPal, a convenience/service fee of up to 2.35% is added. All fees are non-refundable and are subject to change without notice.
Important Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s License Resources
Complete CDL Practice Test Study Package
Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package
Wisconsin Driver License (DL) Application
Wisconsin CDL Third Party Testing Agents by County
Driver License Hazardous Materials Endorsement Application
Wisconsin General CDL Disqualifications Chart
Wisconsin Farm Service Commercial Driver License Fact Sheet
Application for Military Skills Test Waiver
Physical Examination Report for S or P Endorsement
CDL Self-Certification and Medical Requirements FAQs
Diabetes and Vision Waivers Brochure
CDL Self-Certification Application Portal
Medical Examination Report Form 649-F
Medical Examiner’s Certificate
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
Check out our list of truck driving schools in Wisconsin 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 of Wisconsin DMV Customer Service Centers
Title Category Address Description Link
**This location administers the knowledge tests in English only.
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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