Applying for a New CDL in Virginia

You live for the open road and love nothing more than cruising down the highway, and now you've decided to get paid for the pleasure. But before you can get behind the wheel of a semi-truck, bus, or other commercial vehicle, you'll have to get your commercial driver's license (CDL).

The process is more complex than getting an average driver's license, and involves following national regulations set up by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and going through the licensing procedures of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

IMPORTANT FEDERAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS UPDATE 

Per new federal entry-level driver training requirements effective February 7, 2022, the VA Department of Motor Vehicles now mandates new CDL applicants complete an entry-level driver training course through an authorized provider. You’ll need to complete this training prior to applying for your first commercial driver’s license, upgrading your existing CDL class, or applying for a HAZMAT, school bus, or passenger endorsement.

Who Can Get a Virginia CDL?

To qualify for a Virginia commercial driver's license, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
    • Drivers under 21 years old will be restricted to driving commercial vehicles within VA only.
  • Meet all of Virginia's standard licensing requirements.
  • Be able to provide 1 document proving your U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency. Acceptable paperwork includes:
    • Current, valid U.S. passport.
    • Official birth certificate.
    • Certificate of naturalization.
    • Permanent residency card.

Applying Without a Regular VA License

It's not required to have a regular Virginia driver's license to apply for a CDL, but if you do not currently hold a regular VA driver's license, you must bring additional documents with you to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Applicants must bring:

  • 1 document proving identity. You may bring in:
    • Your birth certificate.
    • Your U.S. passport.
    • A certificate of naturalization.
  • 1 document proving legal presence in the country. See above for examples.
  • 2 document proving Virginia residency.* Acceptable documents include:
    • Certified school records/enrollment forms.
    • Bank statement up to 2 months old.
    • Utility bills in your name up to 2 months old.
  • Proof of your Social Security number. You can bring with you:
    • Your Social Security card.
    • A tax form or payroll check stub.
    • Your military ID card.

VA Commercial Learner's Permit

Before you can get your commercial driver license, you'll have to get your commercial learner's permit (CLP). First, schedule an appointment with your local Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office, and:

After going through the paperwork, you'll have to pass all of the written exams for the specific class of CDL you want. If you're applying for any endorsements, you'll also need to take those tests at this point.

If you're applying for a HAZMAT endorsement, you'll need to be fingerprinted and have a background check performed.

When all of that's done, the VA DMV will issue your commercial learner's permit.

NOTE: If you fail any of your knowledge exams, you may only test 1 time per business day

If you fail the exam 3 times, you will have to complete the classroom portion at a Virginia CDL driving school and bring the certificate of completion with you when you reapply for your commercial learner's permit.

CLP Restrictions in Virginia

Just like permits for regular driver's licenses, your CLP comes with some rules.

Your commercial learner's permit will be valid for 1 year, but you will need to keep it for at least 30 days before you can take your skills exams to earn your full commercial driver's license. You cannot renew your CLP.

However, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will let you take your skills test after having your CLP for only 14 days if you:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also restricts all CLP holders to driving on public roads only, and only while accompanied by a full CDL-holder who can drive the same class of vehicle you hope to operate with your commercial driver's license.

Obtaining a VA Commercial Driver's License

To turn that CLP into a CDL, you'll have to go through the last phase of the process: the skills exam.

Call your local VA DMV office to schedule an appointment, and keep in mind that the average testing time for skills exams is 90 minutes.

Make sure to bring:

Arrange to take the test in the same type of vehicle you want to drive with your CDL. If you can't there might be a restriction placed on your commercial driver's license.

The basic test consists of several parts, including:

  • Pre-trip inspection.
  • Basic vehicle control.
  • On-road driving.

You may have to complete additional exams depending on the class of CDL you're applying for and whether you're adding any endorsements to your license.

When you've successfully completed the process, the DMV will mail your CDL to you, with the current address they have on record. In most cases, your CDL will be valid for 8 years. Visit the DMV's guide to CDL application for other circumstances.

NOTE: If you miss your CDL skills exam appointment, the DMV will charge you a $50 fee. If you don't pay the Department of Motor Vehicles within 31 days of your missed appointment, you will be charged with an additional $10 fee and lose the ability to process any DMV-related transactions.

What If I Fail My CDL Skills Exam?

If you fail your skills test 3 times, you'll be required to complete the in-vehicle portion of a VA CDL training course, and you will need to bring your certificate of completion to the DMV when you retest.

Fees for a VA Commercial Driver License

The VA Department of Motor Vehicles currently charges the following for CDLs and related services:

  • Commercial learner's permit: $3.
  • Commercial driver's license:
    • Annual fee: $8.
    • Total for 8 years: $64.
      • A $20 minimum must be paid.
  • Endorsements:
    • Annual fee: $1 each.
    • HAZMAT background and fingerprinting fee: $83.
  • Missed CDL skills exam fee: $50.

VA CDL Medical Requirements

In order to drive a commercial vehicle in Virginia, you'll need to be deemed medically fit for the job.

The process involves completing a Commercial Driver's License Self-Certification (Form DL 8), when you'll have to declare to the DMV the type of driving you intend on doing.

Depending on how you fill out your self-certification form, you may also need to see a FMCSA-approved medical examiner and have him or her help you fill out a Medical Examiner Report (Form 649-F).

Make sure you schedule all of your medical appointments BEFORE you apply for your commercial learner's permit. You will need to bring all of the appropriate documentation with you to the VA Department of Motor Vehicles.

Check out the FAQ page put together by the Virginia DMV for more information.

CDL Military Waivers in Virginia

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and VA DMV have partnered to help recent veterans and current service members more easily get a CDL by having their skills test waived.

To qualify, you will need to have at least some experience driving a commercial vehicle or military equivalent while in the service, and either be an active member of the military or recently discharged.

For more information, check out our guide to the military commercial driver license skills test waiver.

Forms

DL 1P
Driver's License and Identification Card Application
Submit to the DMV to apply for an original, renewal, OR replacement Virginia driver's license, learner's permit, OR motorcycle license.
DL 8
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Self-Certification
Use this form to self-certify as an interstate OR intrastate driver when applying for your Virginia commercial driver's license.
649-F
Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination
Medical examination form required when applying for a Virginia CDL. Must be completed by a doctor.
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