New York CDL Requirements

NY CDL Classes

      You must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the state of New York (intrastate) and at least 21 years of age to drive a commercial motor vehicle outside the state of New York (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 New York 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 New York State Commercial Learner’s Permit

      You must already possess a New York State commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before you can take the CDL Road Test. Before applying for a New York State commercial learner’s permit, you must already possess a valid New York State Class D, E, or C (non-CDL) driver’s license. You will be issued a New York State commercial driver’s license (CDL) when you pass both the written general knowledge test and the CDL Road Test. 

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

• Be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving (within the state of New York only).
• Be at least 21 years of age for interstate driving (outside the state of New York).
• 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 NYS Class D, E, or C (non-CDL) driver’s license.
• Provide your current out-of-state driver’s license or I.D. card (if you are not currently licensed in the state of New York).
• Provide your Social Security card.
• Provide the necessary documents of identification.
• Prove you are of legal U.S. status by providing the required documents.
• Provide proof of your current NYS residency that shows your name and address (i.e., a utility bill, vehicle registration, insurance card).
• Provide your current D.O.T. Medical Examiner’s Certificate and completed Medical Examination Report.  
• 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 and sign the Commercial Driver’s License Application.
• Pass the CDL written knowledge test.
• Pay the $10 commercial driver’s license application fee.
• Pay the $5 fee for any tests not taken at time of initial application (if applicable).

      If you have any questions about which documents to bring to your nearest New York State DMV Office when you apply for your commercial learner’s permit, you can either call your local New York State DMV Office, or you can call a NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Call Center and speak to a customer service representative.

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 CDL general knowledge test consists of 50 questions. 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 written 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.

      Once you successfully pass the CDL general knowledge written test, the New York State DMV will issue you a commercial learner’s permit so that you can practice operating a commercial motor vehicle. 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 CDL of the same class or greater than the class of vehicle you are operating. 

      The commercial learner’s permit will be valid for up to 180 consecutive days from the date it is issued. If you do not successfully pass the CDL Road Test and obtain your commercial driver’s license before your commercial learner’s permit expires, then you will be required to renew your commercial learner’s permit.  

      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 New York 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 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 New York State DMV Offices that offer the CDL written tests.

Applying for a New York State Commercial Driver’s License

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

• Possess a valid New York State commercial learner’s permit (CLP).
• Possess a valid NYS Class D, E, or C (non-commercial) 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).
• Provide a test vehicle of the same class as the CDL you are testing for (must display a valid inspection sticker). 
• Provide a passenger that is 21 years of age or older with a valid New York State CDL to ride with you in your test vehicle to the test location.
• Schedule an appointment for the CDL Road Test.
• Pass the CDL Road Test.
• Pay the $40 CDL Road Test fee (You can pay the fee online, by phone at (518) 402-2100, or at a NYS DMV Office).
• Complete and sign the Commercial Driver’s License Application at a NYS DMV Office.
• Surrender your out-of-state CDL (if applicable).
• Pay the $164.50 fee to cover the cost of the commercial driver’s license ($180.50 for all MCTD applicants).
• Pay the $5 fee for each CDL endorsement you obtain.

      All commercial driver’s license applicants who reside in a designated Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District will be required to pay a fee of $1 for every six month period that the license is valid. For example, an eight year CDL has a MCTD fee of $16 attached to it. Applicants who reside in the following counties will be required to pay the MCTD fee:

• Bronx
• Dutchess
• Kings (Brooklyn)
• Nassau
• New York (Manhattan)
• Orange
• Putnam
• Queens
• Richmond (Staten Island)
• Rockland
• Suffolk
• Westchester

The CDL Road Test

      Once you obtain your commercial learner’s permit, you will be allowed to schedule your CDL Road Test appointment online, by phone by calling (518) 402-2100, or in person at your nearest New York State DMV Office. You may want to read over the Scheduling Your Road Test By Phone or Internet Info Sheet before scheduling your appointment. The New York State CDL Road Test locations are listed by county.

      The CDL Road Test is a three part test that consists of a Pre-trip Inspection, a Basic Vehicle Controls Test, and an On-Road Driving Test. The CDL Road Test facility will not supply a vehicle for you to test in. You must bring your own test vehicle.

      You will be required to take the test in the same class and type of motor vehicle you plan to drive once you obtain your CDL.  If you take the CDL Road 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. 

• 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 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 may include the following maneuvers:

• 90 degree alley docking
• Straight line backing
• Parallel parking (driver side)
• Parallel parking (conventional)
• Offset back/right
• Offset back/left

      The Road Skills Test will be administered on a route predetermined by the safety specialist. 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 Road Test appointment you must:

1. Arrive on time.
2. Bring your validated commercial learner’s permit.
3. Bring your valid D.O.T. medical card.
4. 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.
5. 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 Road Test appointment! The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles advises applicants to schedule their CDL Road Test appointment a few weeks in advance. If you fail the CDL Road Test you will be required to pay a $40 fee before you can schedule another appointment to take the test again.

      If you decide to cancel your Road Test appointment, you must cancel the appointment no less than three full days before your scheduled test date and time. If you fail to do so, you will lose the $40 you paid for the Road Test fee, and you will be required to pay an additional $40 to take the test again.  

      The New York State DMV has the right to cancel any CDL Road Test appointment due to bad weather, under sourced staffing, or any other unforseen circumstances. Be sure to call (518) 402-2100 on the day of your Road Test to see if your appointment has been cancelled due to bad weather.

      Once you pass the CDL Road Test, you will be issued a temporary commercial driver’s license that will be valid for ten days. You must wait at least seven days after passing the Road Test before you can apply for your commercial driver’s license at your local New York State DMV Office. The local DMV will then issue you a 90 day temporary CDL that will be valid until you receive your photo CDL in the mail.

      The fee for the photo commercial driver’s license is based on the class and expiration date of your current driver’s and the county in which you reside.

      Be sure to download and study the New York State Commercial Driver’s Manual as it contains pertinent information that will help you pass the CDL Road Test. El Nueva York Manual del Conductor Comercia también está disponible en español.

     Click here to see the list of New York State CDL Road Test locations.

Commercial Driver Self-Certification

      In the state of New York, all commercial driver’s license holders must self-certify as to what type of driving they will be doing (intrastate or interstate), and whether they meet or exceed the medical and physical standards put forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to legally and safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. All CDL applicants must self-certify once they obtain their commercial driver’s license.

      All commercial drivers who intend to operate a commercial motor vehicle for the following purposes only, do not require a commercial driver’s license and are considered “exempt” and therefor are waived from self-certification:

• Persons operating Special Purpose Commercial vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less. 
• Fire and police vehicles used during emergencies and other related activities in New York State.
• Non-civilian operators of military equipment.
• Operators of recreational vehicles that are being used for personal recreational use only.
• Farmers using a commercial motor vehicle to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies within 150 air-miles of their farm.

      If you intend to operate a commercial motor vehicle for any other purpose than those listed above, then you are considered “non-exempt” and are required to hold a valid CDL and must self-certify by completing, signing, and submitting the Medical Certification Requirements for Commercial Drivers Form along with the required medical forms. All CDL holders who are renewing their commercial driver’s license must complete, sign, and submit the Requirements for Commercial Drivers Form. 

      If you have any questions about self-certifying, you can check out the New Federal Medical and Self-Certification Requirements for Commercial Drivers Brochure or the Federal Requirements for Commercial Driver License Applicants Info Sheet (Form MV-44.5).

Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver’s License

      All CDL applicants 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. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles will only accept your medical forms if they have 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 (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.     

      Once you have completed and signed the Medical Examiner’s Certificate, the Medical Examination Report, the Medical Certification Requirements for Commercial Drivers Form, and any applicable medical waivers, you can submit your documents by mail to:

                 NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
                 Medical Certification Unit – PO BOX 2601
                 Albany, NY 12220-0601         

      Be sure to double check and, if needed, correct any errors before you submit your documents. All CDL applicants are advised to keep copies of these documents for their own records. Failure to comply with state and federal self-certification regulations will result in a cancellation of your commercial driving privileges.

      If you have any questions regarding self-certification, you can contact a New York State DMV Call Center, or you can contact the CDL Medical Certification Unit by email at medcertunit@dmv.ny.gov.

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. Applicants are advised to complete and submit the Request for NYS Fingerprinting Services Information Form to start the fingerprinting process. 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.

      If you have any questions about applying for a Hazardous Materials CDL endorsement in the state of New York, check out the Important Information About the Hazardous Materials Endorsement.

Military Drivers

      In the state of New York, 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 CDL Certification for Military Waiver of Skills Test Form to start the process. 

      If you have any questions about the CDL Certification for Military Waiver of Skills Test Form, you can either call your local New York State DMV Office or, you can call a NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Call Center and speak to a customer service representative.

New York State 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. A School Bus Certificate is also required.

Methods of Payment       

All New York State DMV Offices accept the following methods of payment:

• Cash (counter/in-person transactions only)
• Credit Card (VISA, Mastercard, Discover Card, and American Express)
• Debit Card (Novus, Mastercard Debit Card, and VISA Debit Card)
• Personal Checks
• Money Orders

Personal checks and money orders should be made payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”.

New York State DMV General Assistance Phone Numbers

      The New York State DMV Call Centers are open Monday-Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm EST (except state holidays). The General Telephone Assistance phone numbers are:

• For area codes 212, 347, 646, 718, 917, and 929, please call (212) 645-5550 or (718) 966-6155.
• For area codes 516, 631, 845, and 914, please call (718) 477-4820.
• For area codes 315, 518, 585, 607, and 716, please call (518) 486-9786.
• From outside the state of New York, please call (518) 473-5595.
• For the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, please call toll-free at (800) 368-1186.

Important New York State Commercial Driver’s License Resources 

Complete CDL Practice Test Study Package
Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package
New York State CDL Road Test Locations List
Scheduling Your Road Test By Phone or Internet Info Sheet
New York DMV Office Reservations
Road Test Scheduling System
New York State DMV – Internet Office Transactions
Important Information About the Hazardous Materials Endorsement
Application for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement
Request for NYS Fingerprinting Services Information Form
NYS Driver License Class Descriptions Chart
CDL Certification for Military Waiver of Skills Test Form
Application for Military Skills Test Waiver
Federal Requirements for Commercial Driver License Applicants Info Sheet
New Federal Medical and Self-Certification Requirements for Commercial Drivers Brochure
Medical Certification Requirements for Commercial Drivers Form
Requirements for Commercial Drivers Form for CDL Renewals
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 New York 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 New York CDL Written Test Locations 

**New York State DMV Office accepts online reservations.

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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