Commercial Driver License (CDL) information

  • Motor vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds, determined by the highest of the following weights:
    • Manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
    • Manufacturer’s gross combination weight rating (GCWR) when the towed unit has a GVWR, registered weight or actual gross weight over 10,000 pounds
    • Actual weight
    • Registered weight
  • Carry hazardous materials that require placarding under federal law.
  • Are designed or used to carry 16 or more persons including the driver (buses and some school buses).

Federal law allows states the option to waive certain kinds of drivers from the requirement to obtain a CDL. In Wisconsin, the following drivers are not required to hold a CDL:

  • Fire fighters and rescue squad members when driving properly equipped emergency or fire fighting vehicles.
    • However, if you hold a Wisconsin driver license but operate a fire fighting vehicle in another state, you may be required to obtain a CDL.
  • Recreational vehicle operators (owned or leased motor home, fifth wheel mobile home or touring mobile home, provided it isn’t longer than 45 feet) not engaged in commercial activity
  • A farmer, the farmer’s family members, and/or the farmer’s employees when drivinga commercial motor vehicleowned or leased by the farmer, when the vehicle:
    • Is not used in “for hire” carriage
    • Is transporting farm supplies, produce or machinery to or from the farm.
    • Is within 150 miles of their farm if transportingfarm supplies that may include hazardous materials so long as they are within 150 miles of the farm.
    • Note:a farmer driving a commercial motor vehicle with double or triple trailers or designed to carry or actually carrying 16 or more passengers must have a CDL with proper endorsements.
  • Back-up snowplow drivers (includes snow or ice removal by plowing, salting or sanding) for local units of government if they meet all of the following:
    • Are an employee of a local unit of government with a population of 3,000 or fewer
    • Hold a valid Class D license
    • Are operating within the boundaries of the local unit of government
    • Is one of the following:
      • Substituting for or replacing, a regular employee who ordinarily operates the vehicle
      • An additional employee because a snow emergency exists as determined by the local unit of government

For operation of a commercial motor vehicle (Classes A, B or C) in Wisconsin, a driver may also obtain one or more endorsements. Each endorsement requires a special knowledge test when originally issued.

Use the interactive driver licensing guide for information on commercial driving requirements, get a checklist of requirements and pre-fill any required application(s) before visiting a DMV Customer Service Center. You may also electronically submit your application(s) and schedule an appointment with the DMV, depending on your eligibility.

Class A

For operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), actual weight, or registered weight over 26,000 pounds provided the GVWR, actual weight, or registered weight of the towed vehicle(s) is more than 10,000 pounds.

  • Tests required:
    • CDL General Knowledge Test
    • Combination Vehicle Knowledge Test
    • Air Brakes Knowledge Test, if vehicle is equipped
    • Skills Testing*
      • Vehicle Inspection
      • Basic Skills
      • Road Test

*NOTE: If you want a Class A CDL but also wants to be able to drive most buses (Class B with P/S), you will need to take two skills tests – one for Class A and another for Class B with P/S.

Class B

For operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Any single vehicle with a GVWR, actual weight, or registered weight over 26,000 pounds, or such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR, actual weight, or registered weight of 10,000 pounds or less.

  • Tests required:
    • CDL General Knowledge Test
    • Air Brakes Knowledge Test, if vehicle is equipped
    • Skills Testing
      • Vehicle Inspection
      • Basic Skills
      • Road Test

Class C

For operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Any single vehicle with a GVWR, actual weight, or registered weight of 26,000 pounds or less, (or such vehicle towing a vehicle less than 10,000 pounds) transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding or designed to carry 16 or more persons including the driver.

  • Tests required:
    • CDL General Knowledge Test
    • Air Brakes Knowledge Test, if vehicle is equipped
    • Skills Testing
      • Vehicle Inspection
      • Basic Skills
      • Road Test

Class D

For operation of automobiles; light trucks and mopeds.

The Class D license can also have a school bus endorsement if the vehicle is designed to carry less than 16 persons including the driver.

Class M

For operation of motorcycles.

T = Double/triple trailers

Commercial Motor Vehicles with double or triple trailers

  • Testing and other requirements, in addition to what is required for applicable license classes:
    • Doubles and Triples Knowledge Test

N = Tank vehicles

Any commercial vehicle that is designed to transport a liquid or gaseous material within a tank that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the commercial motor vehicle of the chassis.

  • Testing and other requirements (in addition to what is required for applicable license classes):
    • Tanker Knowledge Test

H = Hazardous Materials

Vehicles transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding or any quantity of a material listed as an agent or toxin.

  • Testing and other requirements:
    • Hazardous Materials Knowledge Test (only offered in English)
    • Drivers adding the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (H) to their CDL are required to successfully complete before being eligible for knowledge testing.
    • Requires a background check, including fingerprinting, for all drivers renewing or transferring the "H" endorsement for the first time.
    • Requires completion of the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Application MV3735.

S = School bus

All school buses, including those which are commercial motor vehicles.

  • Testing and other requirements:
    • Requires a knowledge and driving skills test when originally issued and upon every renewal.
    • School Bus Knowledge Test (only offered in English)
    • Skills testing must be completed in a ‘School Bus’ type vehicle
    • Requires a background check
    • Requires completion of the School Bus Disqualifications Application MV3740.

P = Passenger vehicle

Vehicles designed to carry, or actually carrying, 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

  • Testing and other requirements:
    • Requires a driving skills test when originally issued.
    • Passenger Transport Knowledge Test
    • Skills testing must be completed in a ‘Passenger Bus’ type vehicle

F = Farm service (Restricted CDL)

Restricted to farm service operation only with classes B/C.

  • Review Wisconsin Farm Service CDL form BDS201 for details on the specific requirements

  1. Study the appropriate section(s) in the Commercial Driver's Manual before taking your test(s). Once you’re feeling confident in your knowledge, take and pass the appropriate knowledge test(s) for the vehicle you plan to drive.
      • All applicants for a CDL must pass the General Knowledge test
      • is required for most CDL applicants
      • All knowledge tests are free. No appointment is necessary
      • Allow enough time to complete your test prior to when the DMV customer service centers is scheduled to close. CDL knowledge tests take at least 1 to 1½ hours
      • A passing grade is 80% or more correct answers
      • You must present a valid Class D license at the time of testing

    Topic/Test subject

    Number of questionsCDL manual explanation

    Classes
    B/C - General Knowledge50Section 1-3
    A- Combined Vehicles20Section 6
    Restrictions
    Air brakes25Section 5
    Endorsements
    P- Transporting Passengers20Section 4, also Section 2
    T- Doubles and Triples20Section 7, also Sections 2, 5 and 6
    N - Tank Vehicles20Section 8, also Sections 2, 5 and 9
    H - Hazardous Materials30Section 9

    S - School Bus
    25Section 10
    F - Farm Bus10 Farm Service Manual
  2. Obtain your Commercial Driver Learner permit (CLP).
    • Complete a Wisconsin Driver License Application MV3001
    • Complete a Commercial Driver Certification: Tier of Operation MV3230
    • Present your valid Federal Medical Card
    • Provide Proof of Citizenship or Legal Status in the U.S. at time of application
    • Pay the required fee(s). Additional fees are required for the H endorsement background check and fingerprinting
    • Your CLP will be valid for 180 days. You may renew it
    • Use your CLP to practice driving with a qualified instructor or CDL driver holding a valid license at or above the level of your permit
    • You must hold the permit for 14 days prior to taking the road test(s)
    • In most cases, applicants will need to complete prior to scheduling a road test
  3. Schedule and pass the pre-trip, backing test and skills test(s) with an approved third party tester
  4. Add the CDL classes and endorsements to your Class D license.

The following applicants are required to successfully complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) prior to being eligible for CDL skills testing.

  • Drivers applying for their first CDL
  • Drivers applying for Class Upgrades (Class B to Class A)
  • Drivers adding Hazardous Materials Endorsement (H)
  • Drivers adding Passenger Endorsement (P)
  • Drivers adding School Bus Endorsement (S)
  • New Training Requirements for Entry-Level CDL Drivers - YouTube (04:16)

Entry Level Driver Training includes theory and behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction at a training provider/training entity listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Training Provider Registry. Training providers include, but are not limited to, training schools, educational institutions, rural electric cooperatives, motor carriers, State/local governments, school districts, joint labor management programs, owner-operators and individuals. Most employers who train their own employees will be part of the program. Please check with your employer or contact a registered training provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Drivers issued a Class A CDL, Class B CDL, or a passenger (P), school bus (S), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement before February 7, 2022, are exempt from Entry-Level Driver Training.

These drivers may also be exempted under Wis. Stat §383.3(c), (d), and (h):

  • Certain military drivers
  • Farmers, firefighters, emergency response vehicle drivers and drivers removing snow and ice
  • Drivers of “covered farm vehicles"
  • Restricted commercial driver license (CDL) for certain drivers in the State of Alaska
  • Restricted CDL for certain drivers in farm-related service industries
  • Restricted CDL for certain drivers in the pyrotechnic industry
  • Drivers skill testing to remove an 'L – No Full Air Brake Equip CMV' Restriction
  • Drivers skill testing to remove an 'E – No Manual Trans Equip CMV' Restriction
  • Drivers skill testing to remove an 'O – No Tractor-Trailer CMV' Restriction

For more information about the Federal Regulations for ELDT and how you can become an ELDT provider, please reference the following links.

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) established CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse). This database contains information pertaining to violations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) controlled substances (drug) and alcohol testing program for holders of CDLs.

The Clearinghouse rule requires FMCSA-regulated employers, medical review officers (MROs), substance abuse professionals (SAPs), consortia/third party administrators (C/TPAs) and other service agents to report to the Clearinghouse information related to violations of the drug and alcohol regulations in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 40 and 382, by current and prospective employees.

  • Employers must query the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees' drug and alcohol violations before permitting those employees to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roads.
  • Employers must annually query the Clearinghouse for each driver they currently employ.

Drivers who do not pass their drug/alcohol test are required to complete a ‘Return-to-Duty’ process and follow-up testing plan. Drivers should discuss the details of this process with their employers.

FMCSA requires that all State Driver Licensing Agencies downgrade the CDL of any driver with a status of “Prohibited” in the DACH database. This means that drivers who do not pass their drug/alcohol test and have not started/completed the steps required to adjust their status in the DACH database, will have their commercial driver license or commercial learner’s permit surrendered. Once the Wisconsin DMV receives updated information from the DACH database indicating the driver’s status is “Not Prohibited”, if no other outstanding issues exist, the commercial classes and endorsements will return to a valid status.

Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Resources

Driver Licensing Fees – fees are listed for adding any class(es) and/or endorsement(s) to a license

CDL Medical Requirements – general information about the medical requirements for obtaining a CDL, including information about waivers and Skills Performance Evaluations (SPE)

Fed Med Cards and Tiers of Operation – general information about Fed Med cards and certifying your Tier of Operation

Military Test Waiver Programs – includes information on the skills test waiver program and the Even Exchange program

CDL Examiners (3rd Party) by County – skills test examiner contact information and testing fees

CDL Basic Control and Skills Tests – explains how the inspection and skills tests are done and outlines the fees involved

Practice Knowledge Test App – practice CDL general knowledge tests (for B & C) is available with this app

CDL Disqualifications​ – general CDL, Hazmat and school bus disqualifications

Hazardous Materials Endorsement Requirements – information on the requirements specific to obtaining a HazMat endorsement

School Bus Driver Endorsement Requirements and Information – information on how to become a school bus driver

Wisconsin Commercial Driver’s Manual​ – Link to both the English and Spanish versions of the WI CDL Manual

Online services for commercial drivers

Questions?
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