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

Requirements verified July 20, 2026 against California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

California issues CDLs through the DMV. You must already hold a regular California license, then get a Commercial Learner's Permit, complete federal ELDT plus California's own 15-hour behind-the-wheel training, hold the permit at least 14 days, and pass a three-part skills test by appointment. California does not license public third-party testers — skills tests are DMV-administered (with a narrow employer exception).

California's CDL runs through the DMV and is one of the more demanding state processes: you need a regular California license first, federal ELDT, and a state-only 15-hour behind-the-wheel minimum (10 hours on public roads) before the DMV will issue the license. The permit is valid only 180 days (renewable once, to a one-year maximum), and you get three attempts each on the knowledge and skills tests per application.

Unlike many states, California doesn't let private schools give you the skills test — testing is DMV-appointment only, with a narrow employer-testing exception. California also issues only 'Non-Excepted' CDLs (interstate or intrastate); there's no 'Excepted' category here. Budget for DMV fees ($100 original), ELDT tuition, a DOT physical, and the TSA fee if you're adding hazmat.

Eligibility and documents in California

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• One identity / legal-presence document (U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or acceptable immigration document; limited-term documents produce a limited-term CDL)
• Social Security number (verified)
• Proof of California residency
• Medical Examination Report form MCSA-5875 and Medical Examiner's Certificate form MCSA-5876
• Out-of-state applicants: a 10-Year History Record (form DL 939)

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 applicable); Any endorsement tests you need (N, P, S on a permit).
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. Your provider must be listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry and certifies completion to FMCSA electronically; the DMV verifies that federal record before administering the skills test (or the hazmat knowledge test). California adds a state-only requirement on top of federal ELDT: original Class A or B applicants must complete at least 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training, of which at least 10 hours are on a public road (documented on form DL 1236).
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: Vehicle (pre-trip) inspection, Basic control skills test, On-road driving test. CDL skills tests are administered by the DMV, by appointment only; you get three attempts per application. The only third-party pathway is the Employer Testing Program (ETP), which lets qualified employers test their own employees.
5. Get your CDL issued. Pay the license fee, submit your medical self-certification, and receive your license (valid 5 years). A California CDL expires on your birthday, generally up to 5 years from application. If your lawful-presence document expires sooner, you get a 'limited-term' CDL that expires with it. A CDL expired more than 2 years requires a new skills test to renew.

Medical certification in California

Submit form MCSA-5875 (report) and MCSA-5876 (certificate) and self-certify your commerce type. Interstate (NI) drivers must use an examiner on the FMCSA National Registry; intrastate-only drivers may use any licensed medical professional and receive a 'CDL Intrastate Only' restriction. Confirm the current submission channel with DMV CDL Issuance (916-657-5771).

If your card lapses: California issues only Non-Excepted CDLs — it does not offer an 'Excepted' (EI/EA) category. For 15 days after a certificate is issued you must carry a signed copy while driving a CMV. Failing to keep a valid certificate on file leads to a downgrade.

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

• NI — Non-excepted Interstate (medical card required)
• NA — Non-excepted Intrastate (medical per state; carries the 'Intrastate Only' restriction)

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

What a CDL costs in California

California's 15-hour behind-the-wheel requirement and appointment-only DMV testing can lengthen the timeline versus other states. Add the TSA hazmat fee (paid to TSA) and a DOT physical on top of DMV fees.

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in California State-administered testing

California administers CDL skills tests through the state; approved public third-party testing is limited or unavailable. No official statewide wait-time figure is published; appointment availability varies significantly by office. Treat wait times as variable and confirm locally.

Your test vehicle: You must provide a representative vehicle of the class and type you're seeking. Under the ETP, an examiner cannot serve as the authorized representative for a test they conducted, and DMV audits and re-tests ETP drivers.

Endorsements available in California

California 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 federal TSA Security Threat Assessment (fingerprint background check); California is a self-managed hazmat state and you also pass the hazmat knowledge test.
• NTanker
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined tank + hazmat.
• PPassenger
• SSchool Bus — Requires ELDT plus additional California requirements; not covered by the military skills-test waiver. A separate state school-bus certificate (administered with the CHP) is required to operate a school bus.
• TDoubles/Triples

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state — including offenses in your personal vehicle. California applies the federal 49 CFR 383.51 framework and also suspends or revokes CDL privileges under state Vehicle Code provisions (Cal. Veh. Code §§ 15300–15325), including DUI in any vehicle. Confirm specific California additions with the DMV.

Full federal detail: CDL disqualifications explained.

Military skills-test waiver

California's 'Troops to Trucks' program waives the CDL skills test for qualifying service members who currently drive, or drove within the last year, a military vehicle equivalent to a CMV, with at least 2 years of such experience before discharge. Use forms DL 963/DL 964 (or the combined DL 965). The knowledge tests are not waived, and the School Bus endorsement is not covered.

California CDL FAQ