Requirements:
- Be 18 years of age with 1 year driving experience for driving intrastate
- Be 21 years of age (with at least 1 year driving experience) to drive interstate Commerce or to transport hazardous materials
- Delaware resident
- Not denied, suspended, disqualified, revoked or cancelled in Delaware or any other state
- Able to obtain medical certification under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Under Part 391.41 – Physical Qualifications for Drivers
- If you do not meet requirements of 49 CFR §391.41 Physical Qualifications for Drivers, you may be able to obtain a Delaware intrastate only restricted CDL medical waiver, if otherwise qualified to drive a motor vehicle (excluding transporting passengers or hazardous materials)
- Beginning Jan 30th, 2012 CDL holders must self certify a driving status of non-excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, excepted interstate or excepted intrastate.
Application Process:
First you will complete and sign an application for the CDL license. By signing this application you certify you are providing correct personal information and an accurate driving history and you also consent to submit to chemical tests for controlled substances.
Next you will take the necessary knowledge tests to qualify for the proper CDL license. Section 1.1 on Page 1-1 explains which written tests you will take for the vehicle you intend to drive.
Once passing the written tests and paying a CDL fee you will be issued a CDL permit which will allow you to drive a CMV, with another licensed CDL driver. You may only drive the type vehicle for which you have tested and only with a CDL driver qualified in the same type CMV. This permit is valid for 6 months.
Finally, you will be scheduled, at your request, for the CDL skills test. You must arrange for an appointment for the skills test with the Motor Vehicle Office where you took the written tests.
Knowledge Tests:
You will have to take one or more knowledge tests, depending on what class of license and what endorsements you need. The CDL knowledge tests include:
- The general knowledge test, taken by all applicants.
- The passenger transport test, taken by all bus driver applicants.
- The air brakes test, which you must take if your vehicle has air brakes, including air over hydraulic brakes.
- The combination vehicles test, which is required if you want to drive combination vehicles.
- The hazardous materials test, required if you want to haul hazardous materials or waste in amounts that require placarding or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR 73. In order to obtain this endorsement you are also required to pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check.
- The tanker test, required if you want to haul a liquid or liquid gas in a permanently mounted cargo tank rated at 119 gallons or more or a portable tank rated at 1,000 gallons or more.
- The doubles/triples test, required if you want to pull double or triple trailers.
- The School Bust test, required if you want to drive a school bus.
Driving/Skills Tests:
If you pass the required knowledge test(s), you can take the CDL skills tests. There are three types of general skills that will be tested: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.
- Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection. You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.
- Basic Vehicle Control. You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area. These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done.
- On-road Test. You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive.
Fees:
There is a a CDL fee of $30.00 for a five year license, or $5.00 to keep the expiration on your current license and you will be issued a CDL permit which will allow you to drive a CMV, with another licensed CDL driver.
Licensing Agency & Website:
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, http://www.dmv.de.gov/services/driver_services/drivers_license/dr_lic_cdl.shtml
