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

Requirements verified July 20, 2026 against Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)

Arizona issues CDLs through the Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD). You hold a regular license, pass the knowledge tests for a CDL Instruction Permit ($25 for Class A/B), complete ELDT and hold the permit before testing, then pass a three-part skills test — often through an Authorized Third Party examiner. A Class A/B skills test is $25, and the CDL is valid 8 years.

Arizona handles CDLs through ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division. The process follows the federal pattern — a regular license first, knowledge tests for a CDL Instruction Permit, ELDT, then a three-part skills test — but Arizona leans heavily on Authorized Third Party (ATP) examiners for the skills test rather than doing everything at state counters.

State fees are low and structured as a permit fee plus a skills-test fee: about $50 total for a Class A or B ($25 + $25), or about $25 for Class C, with endorsement knowledge tests at $10 each (school bus is free). There's no separate card-issuance fee on the official pages. The real costs are ELDT tuition — surveyed at roughly $3,000–$7,500 for a Class A program, cheaper at community colleges — plus a DOT physical and, for hazmat, the federal TSA background check.

A few Arizona specifics: the CDL runs on a fixed 8-year cycle (not to age 65), under-21 drivers are intrastate-only with no hazmat, and since June 23, 2025 your medical examiner transmits your DOT certificate electronically so you no longer hand it in yourself.

Eligibility and documents in Arizona

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• Completed Commercial Driver License Application (Form 40-5124)
• Valid Medical Examiner Certificate (current DOT physical)
• Social Security card (SSN verified per A.R.S. §§ 28-3158/28-3165)
• A valid regular (operator) driver license
• Proof of authorized presence in the U.S. per 49 CFR 383.71 (typically two acceptable documents; originals or certified copies, in English)
• Proof of 1 year of driving experience in a vehicle other than a motorcycle
• Arizona must be your state of domicile (surrender prior out-of-state credentials; 30 days to convert after moving)

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. Arizona relies entirely on the federal FMCSA Training Provider Registry. ADOT MVD validates that an applicant completed ELDT with a registered provider before testing and states it will not add requirements beyond what FMCSA requires. Not retroactive to credentials issued before February 7, 2022. Applies to first-time Class A/B, B→A upgrades, and first-time H/P/S endorsements.
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 inspection, Basic vehicle controls, On-road driving test. Arizona relies heavily on Authorized Third Party (ATP) CDL examination providers with MVD-certified examiners for Class A/B/C skills tests. Knowledge testing is available at MVD offices (no appointment in Phoenix/Tucson metro; appointment required elsewhere). Skills testing is by appointment only — call MVD at 602-255-0072 or visit an office, and a CDL tester will contact you.
5. Get your CDL issued. Pay the license fee, submit your medical self-certification, and receive your license (valid 8 years). An Arizona CDL generally expires every 8 years (or sooner based on your authorized-presence dates) — it does not follow Arizona's non-commercial 'expires at 65' model. Arizona presents CDL cost as the permit/knowledge fee plus the skills-test fee (e.g., about $50 for Class A/B); no separate card-issuance line item appears on the official pages — confirm with ADOT MVD if a definitive issuance fee is needed. Under 21, driving is intrastate-only and hazmat is prohibited.

Medical certification in Arizona

You must be examined by a provider on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Effective June 23, 2025, medical examiners electronically submit results to FMCSA, which forwards them to the state — drivers no longer submit their own certificates. You can check status through your AZ MVD Now online account (Medical Review Unit: 602-771-2460).

If your card lapses: If your Medical Examiner Certificate lapses, the commercial privilege is suspended or revoked; you must reinstate with a valid certificate (plus a reinstatement fee) or downgrade to a Class D/M license at an MVD office or authorized third party.

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 Arizona

Add endorsement knowledge-test fees as applicable (T/N/H/P $10 each; S no fee), a DOT physical, and — for hazmat — the federal TSA Security Threat Assessment fee (set by TSA, not ADOT). ADOT does not publish a separate CDL card-issuance charge beyond the permit and skills-test fees.

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in Arizona Third-party testing allowed

Arizona allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, which can mean shorter waits than a state office. Wait times vary; Authorized Third Party providers are the main path to skills testing and can offer more availability than MVD sites.

Your test vehicle: At an MVD CDL office you must provide your own test vehicle representative of the class you're seeking; some third-party testers may provide a vehicle for a fee.

Endorsements available in Arizona

Arizona 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. Arizona is not a TSA self-managed state, so fingerprinting/STA is via TSA/IdentoGO; the check renews every 5 years and is submitted electronically to MVD (apply ~45 days before expiration). A TWIC card is not accepted in lieu of the TSA check, and failure to renew cancels all driving privileges. Not available under 21.
• NTanker — Tank (knowledge test).
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined tank + hazmat; follows the hazmat/TSA rules.
• PPassenger — Passenger. A Class C permit is issued only with a P endorsement.
• SSchool Bus — School bus. No permit fee; requires ELDT plus P and S knowledge and skills tests in the correct bus size for first-timers.
• TDoubles/Triples — Double/triple trailers (knowledge test only, no separate skills test).

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state — including offenses in your personal vehicle. Arizona applies the federal 49 CFR 383.51 disqualifications (adopted via 49 CFR Parts 300–399). State-specific cancellation grounds include giving false application information, applying while disqualified/suspended elsewhere, falsely stating age as 21 or over, failing to meet medical requirements, and not paying MVD fees. Re-testing is required if a CDL has been expired/withdrawn/suspended/revoked/canceled/disqualified for 12 months or more.

Full federal detail: CDL disqualifications explained.

Military skills-test waiver

Arizona offers a Military Skills Test Waiver (Form 96-0680) for qualifying current or recently separated (within one year) service members who operated a CMV-equivalent vehicle. Apply in person; knowledge tests cannot be waived, and School bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements cannot be transferred through the waiver.

Arizona CDL FAQ