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

Requirements verified 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, complete ELDT with a registered provider, pass the knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner Permit (about $14 for Class A), hold it 14 days, 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.

Tennessee runs its CDL program through the Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Driver Services division. The process follows the federal pattern: a regular license first, ELDT with a registered provider, knowledge tests for the Commercial Learner Permit, a 14-day hold, then a three-part skills test in a vehicle you supply — at a Driver Services Center or a certified third-party tester.

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 (surveyed 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. 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. Tennessee requires all new applicants to complete Entry-Level Driver Training with a provider registered on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. The state checks that federal record before the skills test and before the hazmat knowledge test. There is no separate state ELDT portal. Drivers who held a valid CDL or the applicable 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 vehicle control, On-road driving test. Tennessee certifies CDL Third Party Testing Organizations, which you can search by county, city, or ZIP and which charge their own fees. You can also schedule the state road skills test by calling the CDL testing line (615-502-4179) or emailing DI.CDL.CSTIMS@tn.gov; skills testing is done at designated Driver Services Centers.
5. Get your CDL issued. Pay the license fee, submit your medical self-certification, and receive your license (valid 8 years). A Tennessee CDL is valid 8 years. County Clerk Partner locations may add a $4 administrative fee to any transaction. Upgrading class or adding endorsements requires the applicable knowledge/skills tests, ELDT for first-time H/P/S, and the per-endorsement fee. Beginning January 1, 2026, applicants presenting a valid unexpired Permanent Resident Card are issued a Temporary CDL — confirm details with Driver Services.

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

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, historically around $86.50 — 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 Third-party testing allowed

Tennessee allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, which can mean shorter waits than a state office. Tennessee does not publish official wait times. Many applicants use certified third-party testers (surveyed 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 — including offenses in your personal vehicle. 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.

Full federal detail: CDL disqualifications explained.

Military skills-test waiver

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