Louisiana CDL Requirements

Louisiana CDL Classes

      You must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the state of Louisiana (intrastate) and at least 21 years of age to drive a commercial motor vehicle across Louisiana state lines (interstate). You must also be at least 21 years old to transport materials that are deemed hazardous and require a placard. You need a Louisiana 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 a Louisiana Commercial Learner’s Permit

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

      In order to obtain a Louisiana commercial learner’s permit, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving (within Louisiana state lines).
• Be at least 21 years of age for interstate driving (outside Louisiana state lines).
• Be at least 21 years of age to transport passengers.
• Possess a valid Louisiana 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 the required documents .
• Provide proof of current Louisiana 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 $15 application fee for the commercial learner’s permit.

      If you have questions about which documents to bring to your local Office of Motor Vehicles when you apply for your commercial learner’s permit, you may call the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at (225) 925-6146 and speak to a customer service representative. You can email any questions you may have to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles as well. 

The CDL Written Tests

      All commercial driver’s license applicants must pass the general knowledge written test in order to be eligible to receive a CDL. The test may be either a written test or an oral test.  In order to receive a passing score, each applicant is required to answer at least 80% of the questions correctly. All written tests require a score of at least 80% to pass.

      All CDL tests are given in English and translators are not allowed. All applicants must pay a $15 application fee and fill out the necessary forms prior to testing. You have six months from the day you pay the $15 application fee to pass all your CDL written tests, pass the CDL skills tests, and obtain your commercial driver’s license. If you fail to do all three within the six month period, your application fee will be relinquished and you will have to start the process all over again. 

      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 Louisiana 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 Practice Test will help prepare you for the actual CDL knowledge tests administered by the DMV.

      Click here to see a map and clickable list of Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicle locations that offer the CDL written tests.      

Applying for a Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License

      In order to obtain a commercial driver’s license in the state of Louisiana, you must:

• Possess a valid Louisiana commercial learner’s permit.
• Possess a current Department of Transportation medical card (Medical Examiner’s Certificate).
• Provide proof of vehicle insurance and vehicle registration (must be verified before you can take the test).
• Provide a passenger with a valid Louisiana CDL to ride with you in your commercial vehicle to the test site (if you can’t rent a test vehicle).
• Complete and submit the Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License Application.
• Pass the CDL general knowledge written test.
• Pass the CDL Skills Test.
• Pay the $100 CDL Skills Test fee if you use your own vehicle.
• Pay the rental fee if you use the test facility’s vehicle (fee amount is determined by the CDL tester).
• Pay the $41 license fee for the commercial driver’s license ($51 if you reside in Orleans Parish).
• Pay the $5 fee for each additional CDL endorsement.

      The CDL 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 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. 

The CDL Skills Test

      The CDL 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.
• Basic Controls 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 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.

Be sure to download and study the Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License Manual as it contains the information you need to pass the CDL Skills Test.

     Click here to see a map and clickable list of Louisiana state approved third party CDL Skills Test sites.

Commercial Driver Self-Certification

      In the state of Louisiana, all commercial driver’s license applicants must self-certify as to what type of driving they will be doing (intrastate or interstate), and if they have met all the FMCSA medical requirements. Download, print the Louisiana OMV Supplemental Form for CDL Application and read more about self-certification in the state of Louisiana here.

Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver’s License

      In order to apply for a commercial driver’s license, you must have the Medical Examiner’s Certificate and 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 Medical Examiner’s Certificate must be dated within the previous two years and attached to the Medical Examination Report (Form 649-F), or you can use the Louisiana OMV CDL Physical Examination Form, which includes both forms.

      The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles will only accept either medical form if it 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 and signed Medical Examiner’s Certificate and Medical Examination Report (Form 649-F), or the Louisiana OMV CDL Physical Examination Form (includes both forms), and the Louisiana OMV Supplemental Form for CDL Application by doing any of the following:

• Fax your completed and signed documents to: (225) 925-3901
• Scan and email your completed and signed documents to: OMV_CDL_Medical@dps.la.gov
• Bring your completed and signed documents to any Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles location.

      You can check the status of your medical certification by using the Louisiana CDL Medical Inquiry Database or by calling the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at (225) 925-6146. 

Hazmat Endorsement

      Any person that is applying for a Hazardous Materials CDL endorsement is required to undergo a federal background check and federal fingerprint check according to guidelines set by the Transportation Security Administration. All applicants must also provide the required documents to verify their identification and legal U.S. status. For more information, check out the Transportation Security Administration’s F.A.Q. page.

      You can apply for the security threat assessment on the TSA Hazardous Material Endorsement Enrollment Website. You must begin applying at least 30 days before the expiration of your CDL. You can start the application process on the HTAP Online Application Website. To apply by phone call (855) 347-8371. Use the TSA Enrollment Center Locator to find the nearest TSA approved fingerprint office.

Military Drivers

      In the state of Louisiana, 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 may qualify for the waiver of the CDL Skills Test and may be exempt from taking the commercial driver skills test. You will still be required to take the written tests. Certain restrictions apply.

      Download, print, and complete the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver to start the process. You can contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles by email if you have any questions about the Military Skills Test Waiver program or give them a call at (225) 925-6146 and choose option 4.

Louisiana 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.

Louisiana 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 restrictions may be added or removed from the commercial driver’s license: 

• K – Intrastate driving only (may only drive a CMV within Louisiana state lines).
• L – May not drive CMV equipped with air brakes.
• V – Medical variance restriction (waiver for vision, diabetes, or Skill’s Performance Evaluation).
  

Important Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License Resources

Complete CDL Practice Test Study Package
Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package
Louisiana Commercial Driver’s License Application
Louisiana CDL Waiver for Farm Related Services
Louisiana Hazardous Materials Endorsement Application
Louisiana OMV Identification Requirements
Contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles by Email
Application for Military Skills Test Waiver
Louisiana CDL Driver Self-Certification Requirements
Louisiana OMV Supplemental Form for CDL Application
Louisiana OMV CDL Physical Examination Form
Medical Examination Report Form 649-F
Medical Examiner’s Certificate
Louisiana CDL Medical Inquiry Database
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

Check out our list of truck driving schools in Louisiana 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 Louisiana CDL Written Test Locations 

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

Map of Louisiana CDL Skills Test Locations

**Testing vehicles are available for rent at this location. Certain fees may apply. Please contact the testing facility for more details.

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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