Requirements:
The qualifications needed to obtain and hold a CDL are dependent on the type of driving you do or intend to do and the type of driving you certify.
If you certify a driving type of intrastate or excepted interstate, you must—
- Meet the qualifications for or have a Regular Driver License (non-commercial Class C). This means you must pass the non-commercial Class C knowledge and drive tests before applying for a CDL;
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Present proof of your full legal name;
- Present proof of your legal presence in the U.S., identity and date of birth;
- Provide your Social Security Number on the application;
- Present proof of your residence address;
- Pass the CDL General Knowledge Test (offered in English only);
- Determine the appropriate CDL Class (Class A, B or C), and pass any additional CDL Knowledge Tests and/or meet any additional requirements for that specific class;
- Complete the Commercial Driver License Application (Form 735-175), and indicate that you have at least one year driving experience in at least a non-commercial Class C vehicle;
- Complete requirements for any CDL endorsements you may need;
- Pass a vision screening as defined in OAR 735-062-0050;
- Submit a copy of a valid medical examiner’s certificate and, when required, a medical waiver or exemption that proves you meet minimum Oregon medical standards for holding a CDL;
- Pass CDL Skills Tests (conducted in English only);
- Pay the applicable testing and issuance fees (see note on payment of test fees);
- Not be suspended or otherwise disqualified from holding a CDL in Oregon or any other state;
- Certify your intent to operate a vehicle in intrastate commerce or excepted interstate commerce; and
- Have your photograph taken.
If you certify a driving type of non-excepted interstate, you must meet the following qualifications, in addition to those listed above—
- Be at least 21 years of age;
- Submit a copy of a valid medical examiner’s certificate and, when required, a medical waiver or exemption that proves you meet minimum federal medical standards for holding a CDL;
- Certify that you meet or will meet all other federal requirements for operation of a CMV in non-excepted interstate commerce; and
- Certify your intent and/or qualification to operate a vehicle in non-excepted interstate commerce.
DMV strongly recommends that you certify a driving type of non-excepted interstate if you meet federal qualifications and there is any chance you might operate a CMV in non-excepted interstate commerce. Otherwise your CDL might be needlessly restricted.
Application Process:
Class A
A Class A CDL authorizes the operation of any vehicle or combination of vehicles, except the person may not operate any vehicle for which a specific endorsement is required unless the person obtains that endorsement.
In order to qualify and apply, you must
- Possess or qualify for a non-commercial Class C driver license;
- Complete a Commercial Driver License Application (Form 735-175);
- Provide proof of your full legal name, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your legal presence in the U.S., identity and date of birth, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your Social Security Number, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your Oregon residence address, each time you apply;
- Pass a CDL General Knowledge Test;
- Pass a CDL Combination Knowledge Test;
- Pass a Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test (Section 11 of the CDL Manual);
- Pass a Basic Control Skills Test (Section 12 of the CDL Manual)
- Pass a behind-the-wheel Drive Test (Section 13 of the CDL Manual) in a Class A commercial vehicle;
- Present a valid DOT Medical Certificate with waivers or exemptions as required; and
- Pay the appropriate fees (See note on payment of test fees).
Note: The Pre-Trip Inspection, Basic Control Skills and Drive Tests may be conducted by DMV or by a Third Party Tester.
Class B
A Class B CDL authorizes the operation of any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVW or GVWR. A person may not operate any vehicle for which a specific endorsement is required unless the person obtains that endorsement.
In order to qualify and apply, you must:
- Possess or qualify for a non-commercial Class C driver license;
- Complete a Commercial Driver License Application (Form 735-175);
- Provide proof of your full legal name, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your legal presence in the U.S., identity and date of birth, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your Social Security Number, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your Oregon residence address, each time you apply;
- Pass the CDL General Knowledge Test;
- Pass a Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test (Section 11 of the CDL Manual);
- Pass a Basic Control Skills Test (Section 12 of the CDL Manual)
- Pass a behind-the-wheel Drive Test (Section 13 of the CDL Manual) in a Class B commercial vehicle;
- Present a valid DOT Medical Certificate with waivers or exemptions as required; and
- Pay the appropriate fees (See note on payment of test fees)
Note: The Pre-Trip Inspection, Basic Control Skills and Drive Tests may be conducted by DMV or by a Third Party Tester.
Class C
A Class C CDL authorizes the operation of
- Any vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more persons (except a school bus), including the driver, if the GVW and GVWR is less than 26,001 pounds and the person has a passenger endorsement;
- Any vehicle used in the transportation of hazardous materials, in quantities that require placarding by law, if the GVW and GVWR is less than 26,001 pounds and the person has a hazardous materials endorsement.
A person may not operate any vehicle for which a specific endorsement is required unless the person obtains that endorsement.
In order to qualify and apply, you must
- Possess or qualify for a non-commercial Class C driver license;
- Complete a Commercial Driver License Application (Form 735-175);
- Provide proof of your full legal name, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your legal presence in the U.S., identity and date of birth, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your Social Security Number, each time you apply;
- Provide proof of your Oregon residence address, each time you apply;
- Pass a CDL General Knowledge Test;
- Pass a Passenger and/or Hazardous Materials Endorsement Knowledge Test;
- Pay for and pass a TSA Criminal Background Check (for a hazardous materials endorsement);
- Pass a Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test (Section 11 of the CDL Manual);
- Pass a Basic Control Skills Test (Section 12 of the CDL Manual)
- Pass a behind-the-wheel Drive Test (Section 13 of the CDL Manual) in a Class C commercial vehicle;
- Present a valid DOT Medical Certificate with waivers or exemptions as required; and
- Pay the appropriate fees (See note on payment of test fees).
Note: The Pre-Trip Inspection, Basic Control Skills and Drive Tests may be conducted by DMV or by a Third Party Tester.
Knowledge Tests:
Commercial drivers are required to take one or more knowledge tests, depending on what class of license and what endorsements are needed. Information needed to pass the tests is in the Oregon Commercial Motor Vehicle Manual. The tests are offered in English only and translators are not permitted.
You must pay test fees prior to taking any test. Be prepared to make separate payments for your testing and licensing fees.
CDL Knowledge Tests
- General Knowledge Test – Required for all applicants.
- Passenger Endorsement Test - Required to operate vehicles carrying 16 persons or more, including the driver.
- Air Brakes Test - Required to operate vehicles with air brakes.
- Combination Vehicles Test - Required to operate vehicles in combination (Class A).
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement Test – Required to haul hazardous materials or waste in amounts which require placards. To renew a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement you must successfully re-complete the hazardous materials endorsement test prior to renewal.
- Tank Endorsement Test – Required to haul liquids or gas in bulk.
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement Test – Required to pull double or triple trailers.
- School Bus Endorsement Test - Required to transport pre-primary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school sponsored events.
Note: Refer to the “What Sections Should You Study” table in the Oregon Commercial Motor Vehicle Manual to determine the specific sections to study in order to obtain the desired endorsement(s). Endorsement exams cover not only material from individual endorsement sections, but also from the section on driving safely. You will need to be familiar with the driving safely section when applying for any CDL classification or endorsement.
If You Have a CDL from Another Jurisdiction—
DMV will waive all CDL knowledge tests EXCEPT the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Test if you surrender a current, valid CDL from another jurisdiction for a comparable Oregon CDL.
- All tests are closed book. With permission, you may use a foreign language translation dictionary, except on CDL knowledge tests.
- Only testers are allowed into the testing area, except for authorized interpreters.
- Knowledge tests are given on a touch-screen computer, with or without audio assistance. If you require a special accommodation to take a knowledge test, please contact your local office.
- All test scores are valid for a maximum 2-year period from the date the test was taken.
- During the test there is NO:
- Talking
- Cell phone use
- Operation of any electronic devices
- Writing or note taking
- Cheating
If you do not follow the testing rules and guidelines or it is determined that you are cheating, your test will be stopped immediately. You will not be allowed to test again for 90 days.
Driving/Skills Tests:
These tests must be conducted in English only and translators are not permitted.
DMV will not conduct a commercial skills test in a vehicle that is:
- Transporting any load;
- Contains hazardous materials:
- Has more than one trailer;
- Pulls a trailer that has no brakes or uses surge brakes; or
- Is clearly illegal or unsafe.
Before taking the drive test you will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You may be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you should inspect and why. Section 11 of the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual tells you what to inspect and how to inspect it. You can also see a video of a pre-trip vehicle inspection test that is similar to the one administered by Oregon CDL examiners. This video is not entirely representative of current CDL testing standards and procedures. Do not use this video in lieu of studying the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Chapter 11.
You will be asked to perform backing maneuvers to demonstrate your ability to exercise basic control of your vehicle. Section 12 of the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual includes additional information about this portion of the CDL skills test.
You will also 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, railway crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive. Section 13 of the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual explains more about this test.
CDL drive tests are also available from Third Party Testers. You must pay test fees prior to taking any test. Be prepared to make separate payments for your testing and licensing fees.
Fees:
Commercial Driver License (CDL), Class A, B or C—
- Customer Has No Oregon Driver License, $135.50
- Upgrade of Existing Oregon Driver License, $75.50
- Commercial Driver License (CDL), Air Brakes Knowledge Test, $10
- CDL Certificate of Test Completion, $40
- CDL Certificate of Test Completion for Passenger &/or School Bus Endorsement Drive Test, $40
- CDL Combination Vehicles Knowledge Test, No Fee
- CDL Doubles/Triples Knowledge Test, $10
- CDL Drive Test, $70
- CDL Drive Test to Remove Air Brake Restriction, $56
- CDL General Knowledge Test, $10
- CDL Hazardous Materials Knowledge Test, $10
- CDL Passenger Knowledge Test, $10
- CDL Passenger Endorsement Upgrade Drive Test (only applies if the applicant has already taken a drive test to obtain a CDL and is only taking a passenger drive test to add a passenger endorsement), No Fee
- CDL School Bus Endorsement Upgrade Drive Test (only applies if the applicant has already taken a drive test to obtain a CDL and is only taking a school bus drive test to add a school bus endorsement), No Fee
- CDL School Bus Knowledge Test, $10
- CDL Tank Vehicles Knowledge Test, $10
- Addition or Removal of CDL Endorsement(s)/Restriction(s) (duplicate fee), $26.50
- Probationary Permit Application Fee (non-refundable), $50
- Reinstatement Fee for a Suspension or Revocation, $75
- Upgrade of Limited Term CDL, $45
- Downgrade of Limited Term CDL, $26.50
- Limited Term CDL Upgrade when Renewing a Limited Term CDL, $61
- Limited Term CDL Upgrade when Renewing a Limited Term Class C (non-commercial) Driver License, $55
Licensing Agency & Website:
Oregon Department of Transportation, http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/driverid/cdlget.aspx
