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

Source review dated July 20, 2026 against Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (Driver Services)

Tennessee issues CDLs through the Department of Safety and Homeland Security. You hold a regular license, pass the knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner Permit (about $14 for Class A), hold it 14 days while completing required ELDT, then pass a three-part skills test in a vehicle you supply — at a Driver Services Center or a certified third-party tester. A Class A CDL costs about $70 and lasts 8 years.

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

State fees are among the lowest in the country: about $14 for a Class A permit and $70 for the 8-year CDL, with a possible $4 County Clerk fee. The real costs are ELDT tuition (estimated at roughly $3,000–$7,000 for a Class A program) and a DOT physical. Hazmat adds the TSA fingerprint fee through IdentoGO.

Veterans with recent qualifying military driving experience can skip the road skills test through Tennessee's 'Highways for Heroes' program, though the knowledge tests still apply.

Eligibility and documents in Tennessee

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status (valid unexpired U.S. passport or certified birth certificate)
• Proof of Social Security number
• A Tennessee driver license or ID, or a valid license/CDL from another state
• Two proofs of Tennessee residence, current and issued within the past four months (bank statements, cell phone bills; USCIS identity documents are not acceptable)
• A valid DOT medical certificate (required for H, P, or S endorsement applicants)
• All items must be original documents — no photocopies accepted

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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Self-certify your category on the Self-Certification Affidavit (Form SF-1480), including Medical Examiner's Certificate Form MCSA-5876 if your category requires one. Submit through the e-Services portal at dl.safety.tn.gov or by mail to the CDL Division in Nashville. As part of National Registry II, Tennessee no longer accepts a physical copy of the MCSA-5876 — your certified medical examiner transmits the exam results electronically.

If your card lapses: Submit your self-certification and any required medical certificate at least five business days before your current medical certificate expires. A lapsed certificate leads to a downgrade of your CDL.

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 Tennessee

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.

State fees are low — about $84 for a new Class A, or $75 for Class B/C. County Clerk Partner locations may add a $4 fee. The bigger costs are ELDT tuition and, for hazmat, the TSA/IdentoGO fingerprint fee (set by TSA, about $85.25 — confirm current amount with IdentoGO). Certified third-party skills testing (roughly $150–$250) is optional but common.

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in Tennessee

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

Tennessee allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, with availability and fees set by the provider. Tennessee does not publish official wait times. Many applicants use certified third-party testers (estimated at roughly $150–$250) to get faster scheduling.

Your test vehicle: You must supply a vehicle representative of the class of CDL you are seeking; the state does not provide a test vehicle.

Endorsements available in Tennessee

Tennessee 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 — Tennessee is NOT a TSA self-managed state. After you pass the hazmat knowledge test, the fingerprint-based TSA Security Threat Assessment is handled through TSA's contractor IdentoGO (IDEMIA), not the state — enroll at a Tennessee IdentoGO location. TSA recommends applying at least 60 days ahead; the HME is valid 5 years.
• NTanker
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined hazmat + tank; subject to the same TSA Security Threat Assessment as H.
• PPassenger — Requires ELDT for first-time applicants.
• SSchool Bus — Requires ELDT for first-time applicants; the endorsement fee is $20.
• TDoubles/Triples — Doubles/triples (Class A).

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. Tennessee applies the federal 49 CFR 383.51 disqualification framework (major offenses, serious traffic violations, railroad-crossing and out-of-service violations). No material Tennessee-only additions beyond the federal baseline were confirmed on the official pages reviewed — verify against the Tennessee CDL Manual.

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 Tennessee-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.

Tennessee's 'Highways for Heroes' program waives the CDL road skills test (knowledge tests are still required) using Form SF-1507. You need at least 2 years of recent experience driving the same type of vehicle, must be an active-duty, Guard, or Reserve member (or a veteran discharged within the past year), a Tennessee resident, and provide certification from your commanding officer plus proof of service.

Tennessee CDL FAQ