Knowing the requirements is one of the first steps to obtaining a CDL. The following shows the basic federal commercial driver’s license requirements that all drivers should meet:
Age: Candidates must be 18 for intrastate, 21 for interstate (except in NY where class A is 21, and in HI where it is 21 for both).
Citizenship: Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is needed.
Driving records: Applicants must possess a valid license that is non-commercial and have 1-2 years of driving experience (dependent on the state, check with the local DMV) and no disqualifications due to past offenses within the last 5 years, such as a conviction for a DUI.
Time and experience: 1-2 years of previous driving is required (and as previously stated, this amount of time is dependent on the state, check with the local DMV), and a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) generally must be held for a minimum of 14 days (but can vary between states) after passing the written test and before applying for the CDL and taking the skills test.
Education: A high school diploma or GED are not necessary to get a CDL at the federal or state level for many states. However, many trucking schools and private companies do require one to be enrolled or hired.