ll CDL applicants must certify either that they are in compliance with the federal and Virginia motor carrier safety regulations or that they do not have to comply with them. You may refer to the Code of Federal Regulations for an explanation of these requirements or refer to Medical Certification Requirements.

You must meet the federal or Virginia motor carrier safety regulations, you must provide a valid Department of Transportation Medical Examiner’s Certificate. This form must be completed by an examiner on the National Registry of Medical Examiners.

If you are 18 or older, are applying for a CDL, and have not previously held a CDL, you must either hold a valid Virginia driver’s license or have satisfied all the requirements necessary to obtain such a license. In addition, you must:

• pass a state-approved driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles and hold a commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days, or
• if you did not complete the driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles, hold a commercial learner’s permit for at least 30 days before taking the CDL road skills test at DMV.

Normally, your Virginia CDL is valid for eight years and expires on your birthday. Your first license will expire on your birthday in the eighth year of license validity.

Commercial learner’s permits are issued for a period of 1 year and cannot be renewed. Individuals temporarily authorized to be in the U.S., and who have less than 1 year remaining, will receive a commercial learner’s permit with the same expiration date as shown on the document used to prove legal presence.

Individuals required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry (Virginia Code Chapter 9 of Title 9.1) (Registry) will be issued licenses valid for five years. They are not eligible for a Virginia commercial driver’s license/commercial learner’s permit with an “S” endorsement during any period in which registration with the Registry is required. In addition, they are also not eligible for a Virginia CDL or CLP with a “P” endorsement unless it bears a restriction code prohibiting the driver from transporting children for school and/or daycare activities.

For many individuals domiciled in another country but authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, a CLP/CDL will carry the notation “non-domiciled CDL” or “non-domiciled CLP” and will be valid only for the amount of time that the individual is legally permitted to stay in the U.S. These individuals will not be eligible to receive a CLP/CDL if their authorized stay in the U.S. is less than 30 days from the date of their application. The expiration of the CDL will be the same as the expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence. If the document does not show an expiration date, the CDL will be valid for one year.

Commercial driver’s license fees are based on how long your license will be valid (refer to the DMV Fee Chart for details). A standard CDL with no endorsements costs $64.00 and is valid for 8 years.

Endorsement(s) cost an additional $1.00 per year. A commercial learner’s permit (CIP) costs $3.00.

Tests may include a vision screening, CDL knowledge exams and a CDL road skills test. You may also need to take the two-part driver’s license knowledge exam. A DMV representative will tell you which tests you need to take.

For additional information, refer to the CDL skills test eligibility requirements.

Once you pass your required testing, your CDL or commercial learner’s permit will be mailed to the address in DMV’s records. DMV has converted to a new secure process for issuing driver’s licenses and ID cards, and has discontinued issuing them over the counter. The U.S. Postal Service will not forward driver’s licenses, so make sure that DMV has your current, correct address on record. If you have moved, notify DMV right away.