CDL Requirements in Alabama (2026): Steps, Cost & Testing

Requirements verified July 20, 2026 against Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division

Alabama issues CDLs through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division. You hold a regular Alabama license, pass the knowledge test(s) for a Commercial Learner Permit ($36.25 plus a $25 test fee), hold it at least 14 days while completing ELDT, then pass a three-part skills test in a vehicle you supply — at ALEA or an approved third-party site. A Class A CDL is $66.25 and lasts 8 years.

Alabama runs its CDL program through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division. The path is the standard federal one: a regular Alabama license first, knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner Permit, a 14-day hold while you complete ELDT, then a three-part skills test in a vehicle you provide — at an ALEA office or an approved third-party site.

State fees are modest: a $25 knowledge test fee, $36.25 for the CLP, a $20 skills test fee, and $66.25 for a Class A CDL (less for Class B or C). The bigger costs are ELDT tuition (surveyed at roughly $3,000–$7,000 for a Class A program) and, for hazmat, the TSA/IdentoGO fingerprint fee.

One recent change to note: since June 23, 2025, Alabama accepts DOT medical certifications only electronically from your medical examiner — paper cards are no longer accepted — and commercial privileges are downgraded if the required medical information isn't received within 45 days of ALEA's notice.

Eligibility and documents in Alabama

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• Proof of identity and U.S. citizenship or lawful presence (REAL ID standard)
• Proof of Social Security number
• Proof of Alabama residency
• A valid Alabama driver license
• Medical self-certification (NI/EI/NA/EA) and, if your category requires it, a current DOT medical certificate (now transmitted electronically)

How to get your CDL: step by step

1. Get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Pass the required knowledge tests: General Knowledge (all applicants); Combination Vehicles (Class A); Air Brakes (if your vehicle has them); Any endorsement tests you need (P, S, H, N, T).
2. Complete ELDT training. For a first Class A/B CDL or a first hazmat, passenger, or school-bus endorsement, you must train with a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. ALEA relies on the federal FMCSA Training Provider Registry (tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov). Your provider reports completion to FMCSA, and ALEA confirms it against the federal registry before you take the CDL skills test or the hazmat knowledge test. Alabama has no separate state training portal. Drivers who held a valid CDL (or the relevant endorsement) before February 7, 2022 are grandfathered.
3. Hold your permit 14 days. Federal rules require at least 14 days before the skills test.
4. Pass the skills test. It has 3 parts: Pre-trip vehicle inspection, Basic control skills, On-road driving test. Skills tests are given at ALEA offices and at ALEA-approved third-party skills-test locations (including CDL schools). Knowledge and skills appointments are scheduled online at alea.gov; appointments are recommended.
5. Get your CDL issued. Pay the license fee, submit your medical self-certification, and receive your license (valid 8 years). An Alabama CDL is valid 8 years and expires on the driver's birthday (a hazmat endorsement is tied to the 5-year TSA cycle). An 18-to-20-year-old may hold an intrastate Class A CDL and add a Tank (N) endorsement but is not eligible for hazmat (H) or passenger (P) endorsements until age 21. Endorsement knowledge tests are commonly cited at about $5 each, but this is not itemized on the ALEA fees page — confirm with ALEA.

Medical certification in Alabama

Self-certify your operating category with ALEA (Self-Certification Affidavit). Alabama is on National Registry II: effective June 23, 2025, ALEA accepts DOT medical certifications only via electronic submission from the certified medical examiner through FMCSA — paper cards and online uploads are no longer accepted.

If your card lapses: If the required medical information is not received within 45 days of ALEA's notice, your commercial driving privilege is removed (downgrade to a non-commercial license). Keep your self-certification and medical exam current.

Every CDL holder must self-certify one operating category. The categories offered here:

• NI — Non-excepted Interstate (medical card required)
• EI — Excepted Interstate
• NA — Non-excepted Intrastate (medical card required)
• EA — Excepted Intrastate

New to the DOT physical? See our DOT physical guide and CDL medical card explainer.

What a CDL costs in Alabama

A new Class A adds up to roughly $147 in ALEA fees ($25 knowledge + $36.25 CLP + $20 skills + $66.25 CDL), plus a card convenience fee if paying by card. On top of state fees, budget for ELDT tuition, a DOT physical, and — for hazmat — the TSA/IdentoGO fingerprint fee (not published by ALEA).

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in Alabama Third-party testing allowed

Alabama allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, which can mean shorter waits than a state office. ALEA does not publish official wait times. Third-party school testing often offers faster or more flexible scheduling for a fee.

Your test vehicle: You must provide a vehicle representative of the class and type you intend to drive, meeting safety standards with valid registration and insurance; ALEA does not furnish a test vehicle.

Endorsements available in Alabama

Alabama offers the standard federal endorsements. Adding one usually means an extra knowledge test (and a skills test for passenger and school bus). Tap an endorsement for the full federal process and cost:

• HHazmat — Requires the hazmat knowledge test plus the TSA Security Threat Assessment. Alabama is not a TSA self-managed state, so fingerprinting is done through TSA/IdentoGO; the endorsement follows the 5-year TSA cycle. Not available to drivers under 21.
• NTanker — Tank. May be added by an 18-to-20-year-old on an intrastate Class A CDL.
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined tank + hazmat; follows the hazmat/TSA rules.
• PPassenger — Passenger. Requires ELDT for first-timers; not available under 21.
• SSchool Bus — School bus. Requires ELDT and the passenger path for first-timers.
• TDoubles/Triples — Double/triple trailers (knowledge test only).

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state — including offenses in your personal vehicle. Alabama applies the federal 49 CFR 383.51 disqualification framework. A notable state-administered rule is the medical-compliance downgrade: if required medical information is not received within 45 days of notice, commercial privileges are removed. Full disqualification detail is in the Alabama CDL Manual.

Full federal detail: CDL disqualifications explained.

Military skills-test waiver

Alabama waives the CDL skills test for service members currently licensed and employed within the past 12 months in a military transportation unit operating a CMV-equivalent vehicle. Knowledge tests are not waived.

Alabama CDL FAQ