Getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in New York requires you to meet certain criteria in order to drive a commercial vehicle in the state.
New York Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
To get a CDL license in the state of New York requires a few steps, the first is to obtain your CLP (Commercial Learner’s Permit). The CLP permits you to operate a commercial truck with someone with a CDL license accompanying you, who is at least 21 years old and holds the same CDL class for the vehicle you are driving. The commercial learner’s permit is valid for 1 year. You must hold your CLP for at least 14 days prior to taking the CDL road test.
New York CLP Requirements
- Be 18 years old to drive a commercial vehicle within NY state (intrastate)
- Be 21 years old to drive across the country (interstate)
- Have a valid New York driver’s license
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
- Have proof of identity
- Have Social Security Number (SSN)
- Pass US DOT medical examination
- Read and speak English well enough to:
- Conduct conversation with others
- Comprehend highway traffic signs and signals in the English language
- Respond to officials
- Complete entries on reports and records
- Take CDL skills test
How to Get Your CLP in New York
- Complete and submit CLP application at your local DMV
- Bring:
- Proof of age
- Proof of identification
- Proof of residence
- Submit a copy of your US DOT Medical Examiners Certificate
- Pay the application fee: $10 – this fee covers all written tests (knowledge and endorsement) taken at the same time. Any other required tests that are not taken and passed at the time of initial application, you will pay an additional fee of $5.
- Get photo taken
- Pass the knowledge test(s) (at least 80% correct answers) for the appropriate commercial driver license class, and any endorsements you want to add.
How to Prepare for the New York CLP Knowledge Tests
To pass the General (Core) Knowledge test, you’ll need to study the CDL manual:
- Sections 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, and 13 of the manual
To pass other knowledge tests:
- Combination vehicles test: study sections 5 and 6 of the CDL manual
- Doubles/Triples test: study sections 5, 6, and 7 of the CDL manual
- Hazardous materials test: study section 9 of the CDL manual
- Tank vehicles test: study sections 6, 8, and 9 of the CDL manual
- Air brakes test: study section 5 of the CDL manual
New York’s DMV website also offers printable CDL practice permit tests you can take for the specific license class you need, like Class A, B, or C. Work through multiple versions of the practice tests.
New York CDL Requirements
To get a CDL in New York, you’ll need to meet certain criteria, like CDL age requirements:
- Be 18 years old to drive a commercial vehicle within NY state (intrastate)
- Be 21 years old to drive across the country (interstate)
- Possess a valid New York driver’s license
- Possess a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) at least 14 days before taking your CDL skills test
- Complete training:
- All CDL applicants must successfully complete the federally mandated Entry-Level Driver’s Training (ELDT) from a registered provider
- If you’re 18, 19, or 20 years old and want a CDL A license (intrastate only), you must also complete a CDL A Young Adult Training Program, requiring at least 300 hours of behind-the-wheel training under the immediate supervision of an experienced driver who is at least 21 years of age; have at least 1 year experience operating a Class A vehicle, and clean driving record.
- Note that the ELDT range or on the road training can be counted towards the 300 hours, as long as the ELDT behind-the-wheel training is conducted by an experienced driver.
New York CDL Application Process
After you get your CLP and successfully complete your Entry-Level Driver’s Training (ELDT) and CDL A Young Adult Training (applicable to 18-20 years old), you can:
- Pay the CDL road test fee: $40 (you can pay this fee when you get your CLP at the DMV or you can pay it online)
- Book your skills test at your local DMV
- Bring the commercial vehicle for the license class you want to drive
- Complete the skills test (vehicle inspection, basic control skills test, and road test)
- If you’re a young adult (18, 19, or 20 years old), you must complete and submit the MV-44CDL form to the DMV office after you finish the road test. Proof of ELDT completion will be electronically transmitted to DMV from FMCSA.
- After the skills test you will be given a card with a website on it, and on that site you can check your skills test results (after 6pm that night)
- When you pass the road/skills test, you need to go into the DMV office and get your license amended, and pay the CDL license fee: $164.50
How to Prepare for the New York CDL Road/Skills Test
Your mandated training will prepare you for the road test. In addition, the New York DMV site recommends to study
- Study sections 11-13 of the CDL manual
- Focus on the steps for the air brake check and follow it as outlined in the manual
New York CDL Fees
- Commercial License Permit (CLP) fee: $10 – this covers all written tests, knowledge and endorsements, taken at the same time. There is an additional $5 fee for applicable tests not taken and successfully passed at the time of application.
- Road/Skills Test Fee: $40
- CDL License Fee: $164.50
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