Requirements:
Utah law requires all applicants for a CDL to provide their driver license, with a minimum of one-year experience as a license driver, a certified birth certificate, a valid Social Security card (metal cards are not permitted), proof of their Utah residence address, proof of identity and legal/lawful presence in the United States, and their DOT medical card. (For more information on acceptable forms of documentation, please visit our website at www.driverlicense.utah.gov.) You will be required to surrender your driver license (Utah or other State) to the Division upon receiving your Utah Commercial Driver Instruction Permit (CDIP). This CDIP will allow you to operate your regular motor vehicle.
Residence Address Verification
- Utah law requires an applicant for a driver license or identification card to verify that they reside in Utah. This can be done by providing two different types of documents, which can demonstrate the applicant’s residence address.
Social Security Number Verification
- Utah law requires a valid Social Security Number to obtain a driver license. The division requires that an applicant produce the valid Social Security card for verification. Metal Social Security cards are not accepted. The Social Security number is not displayed on the driver license.
Application Process:
All drivers are required to pass tests in order to obtain a CDL. All testing is done by appointment. Please contact the commercial driver license office nearest you to schedule your appointment or receive additional information. If you fail to keep your appointment or to cancel at least 48 hours in advance, you will be charged a rescheduling fee.
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.
The fee you pay for these tests will allow you two attempts per test. All knowledge tests may only be taken two times in one day. The tests are not open book so we encourage you to study and prepare prior to beginning the test. If you fail a test and choose to retake the test the same day and fail it again, you will be allowed to retest the next business day; there will be an additional fee at that time. The tests are multiple choice, and may be administered by computer or they may be in paper format.
Driving/Skills Tests:
After you have passed the required knowledge test(s), you can take the CDL skills tests. The purpose of these tests is to see if the applicant has the skills necessary to operate a commercial motor vehicle. 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 noted on your permit. Skills tests in Utah are offered by certified CDL examiners at select Utah driver license offices throughout the state, and by certified 3rd party examiners located in various businesses throughout Utah. A current list of these offices and 3rd party examiners is located on our website at www.driverlicense.utah.gov. There is a non-refundable fee for the skills test at the Driver License Division offices. 3rd party examiners also charge a fee. Each skills test may only be taken one time per day at the Utah Driver License Division offices. Out of state 3rd party testing certificates are not accepted.
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:
- Original or renewal for a commercial Class A, B, or C license or an original renewal of a provisional commercial Class A or B license. Written Test – $40.00 Skills Test – $60.00
- $7.00 – Each original Commercial driver license endorsement for passengers, hazardous material, double or triple trailer, tanker, or school bus.
- $7.00 – Renewal of a Commercial driver license endorsement
- $20.00 – Retake of a Commercial driver license written test
- $40.00 – Retake of a Commercial driver license skills test
- $7.00 – Retake of a Commercial driver license endorsement test
- $18.00 – Duplicate Class A, B, or C license
- $25.00 – Rescheduling Fee
- $25.00 – Intrastate medical fee
Licensing Agency & Website:
Utah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, http://publicsafety.utah.gov/dld/CDL.html
