Generally speaking, the answer is no. You do not have to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) to make hotshot deliveries. These commercial driver's licenses are usually focused on those who drive 18-wheelers and other big rigs. As noted above, we tend to use smaller box trucks, vans, flatbeds and pickups. These are merely consumer vehicles that anyone can drive as long as they have a valid driver's license. However, many hotshot drivers do also work to get their certifications for other types of vehicles or even to get a CDL if they want to expand their abilities for the future.