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

Source review dated 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.

This guide combines federal rules with dated state research. Read the review notes before paying fees or booking a test.

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 — estimated 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. 1

   Check eligibility, documents, and medical qualification

   Choose the CDL class and endorsements for your vehicle. Hold the required regular license and bring Arizona identity, residency, and Social Security documents. Self-certify your operating category and complete a DOT physical before the permit if that category requires medical certification.

2. 2

   Pass the knowledge tests and obtain your CLP

   Take general knowledge and the vehicle/endorsement tests that apply. ELDT theory may be taken earlier, but federal rules do not require it before the CLP. A first-time hazmat applicant must complete hazmat theory before the hazmat knowledge test; hazmat is not issued on a CLP.

3. 3

   Complete required training and practice during the permit hold

   Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test. Use a qualified supervising driver for public-road practice. First-time Class A/B, B-to-A upgrades, and first-time P/S endorsements require applicable theory and behind-the-wheel ELDT from registered providers. The appropriate CLP is needed for public-road training. State training requirements may add to the federal baseline.

4. 4

   Pass the skills test in the right vehicle

   Confirm ELDT completion is recorded, arrange the test and a representative vehicle, then complete vehicle inspection, basic control, and road driving. The vehicle and transmission you test in can restrict your license.

5. 5

   Complete issuance and maintain your qualifications

   Pay the applicable Arizona issuance fees and confirm the correct class, endorsements, restrictions, and expiration. Keep your medical status current when required and follow the agency’s renewal instructions.

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

These are separate transaction types, not charges that every applicant pays. Renewal, replacement, endorsement, and retest fees are alternatives or extras. Amounts are from the dated research; check current official fees before paying.

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

Testing access: State / approved third parties. Official testing instructions.

Arizona allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, with availability and fees set by the provider. 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. Some also apply in a personal vehicle; vehicle-specific conditions matter. 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.

The offenses that trigger a disqualification, the length of each, and the federal exceptions are listed once in our CDL disqualifications guide instead of repeating the table here. Check the review notes for any Arizona-specific additions we could not confirm.

Military skills-test waiver

Check the temporary July 30–October 29, 2026 federal eligibility extension and ask the state whether it participates.

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