Military skills test waiver program
If you have a military license issued by any military facility that allows you to operate a military commercial vehicle, there is the possibility that you can use it to obtain a Wisconsin CDL. This process allows you to obtain a CDL by waiving the skills test due to your experience and training with these vehicles in the military. To qualify for the skills test waiver program:
- You must still pass the commercial knowledge testing required to operate the requested commercial vehicles. Review the online
CDL Practice Test to better understand what’s being tested, become familiar with the various question types, and understand how DMV scores the results.
- You must be a Wisconsin resident to be eligible for this waiver.
- This waiver does not cover the Hazardous Materials or School Bus endorsements.
- This waiver is ONLY available to current and former (within one year after separation/retirement) members of the military service, including Reserve and National Guard units.
Military knowledge and skills test waiver "Even Exchange" program
If you have been regularly employed in a qualifying Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) and have a military license issued by any military facility that allows you to operate a military commercial vehicle, there is the possibility that you can use it to evenly exchange for a Wisconsin CDL. This process allows you to obtain a CDL by waiving the knowledge testing and skills testing requirements due to your experience and training with these vehicles in the military. To qualify for the "Even Exchange” program the following applies:
- You must provide evidence and verification on form
MV3588 by your commanding officer that you have been regularly employed within the last year in one of the following specified Military Occupational Specialties (MOS):
- US Army- 88M, 92F, or 14T
- US Air Force- 2T1, 2F0, or 3E2
- US Marine Corps- 3531
- US Navy- EO
- You must be a Wisconsin resident to be eligible for this waiver.
- This waiver does not cover the Hazardous Materials or School Bus Endorsements.
- This waiver is ONLY available to current and former (within one year after separation/retirement) members of the military service, including Reserve and National Guard units.
Military CDL test waiver program - application process
To receive credit for your military experience with commercial vehicles, you must present the following documents at your local Wisconsin DMV Service Center. You can obtain the DMV forms online or at your local DMV Service Center.
- Wisconsin Driver License Application
MV3001
- Military Service CDL Skills Test Waiver Application
MV3588 (DMV can only accept the current online version of form MV3588)
- Complete Section 1 on the MV3588 yourself
- Section 2 will need to be completed by your Training or Commanding Officer
- Present proof of current or previous military service
- This can be your DD-214/NGB-22 military discharge papers or current military ID card
- Commercial Driver Certification: Tier of Operation form
MV3230
- MV3230 is required for all new CDL applicants. It allows you to certify to the Wisconsin DMV where you intend to operate commercially and if any medical exceptions apply to your current or planned type of commercial driving.
- The type of certification you choose will determine whether you must provide a copy of your Federal Medical Examiner Certificate (Fed Med card) to the DMV.
- Fed Med cards are required for most types of commercial operation and can be obtained from licensed medical providers throughout the State. The Fed Med card isn’t required at the time that you apply for this CDL waiver if you are currently not driving commercially or looking for a job for which a CDL is required.
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Proof of identity, such as your Wisconsin driver license
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Proof of Citizenship or Legal Status in the U.S. Effective March 1, 2015, persons applying for a Commercial Driver License (CDL) are required to provide proof of legal status upon original (first time) issuance, renewal, transferring an out-of-state license or when adding or removing a class, endorsement or restriction.
The Biennial Budget contained a provision that requires the Department to waive the issuance, renewal or upgrading fees under s. 343.21(1)(d) and (n) for the commercial driver license and any applicable endorsement when the applicant for a commercial driver license presents a valid military commercial driver license.
All issuance fees are waived for customers who are:
- Transferring their military CDL to a Wisconsin CDL
- Renewing their current CDL
- Upgrading their current CDL
This is only for issuance of the CDL, not for issuance of a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP). Fees may also apply if you are applying for the School Bus (S) or Hazardous Material (H) endorsement.
You must present your valid Military CDL to receive the no-fee product.