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How to Get a CDL in Pennsylvania

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To drive a commercial truck in Pennsylvania, requires you to obtain your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). We’ve put together the following guide to get your CDL, but first, you must get your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Learn about CDL and CLP requirements, CDL training, CDL fees, and how to prepare for your written and driving exams.

how to get a cdl in pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

A Pennsylvania Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) is required before you can get your CDL. Once you get your learner’s permit, you will be able to practice driving a commercial vehicle on public roads while accompanied by a CDL operator of the same license class. You are mandated to hold your CLP at least 15 days before you can take your CDL skills exam.

Pennsylvania CLP Requirements

To get your Pennsylvania Commercial Learner’s Permit or CLP, you must:

  • Meet CDL age requirements: 18 years old to drive intrastate (within Pennsylvania) and 21 years old to driver interstate (across the country)
  • Possess a valid non-CDL driver’s license
  • Have a Social Security or Alien number
  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
  • Pass U.S. DOT medical examination

How to Get Your CLP in Pennsylvania

  1. Complete the Commercial Learner’s Permit application form (DL-31CD) (PDF)
  2. Complete the Self-certification form (DL-11CD) (PDF)
  3. Submit valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate – applicable to “non-excepted” transport drivers
  4. Provide proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States
  5. Provide proof of residence (examples: utility bill, driver’s license, tax record, etc.)
  6. Pay the applicable fees: increased annual license fee; photo fee; license class fee; endorsement fee; restriction removal fee
  7. Once the above documents have been submitted and processed, PennDOT will issue you a Knowledge Test Authorization (KTA) – this is your authorization to go to the Driver’s License Center to do the Knowledge Test. The KTA is valid for one year and gives you three tries to pass the Knowledge Test.
  8. Pass the Knowledge test(s) – general knowledge test and applicable endorsement tests

Once you pass the knowledge test you will be issued a Pennsylvania Commercial Learner’s Permit, which is valid for one year.

How to Prepare for the Pennsylvania CDL Knowledge Tests

To prepare for the Knowledge Tests:

Pennsylvania CDL Requirements

  • Meet CDL age limit requirements: 18 years old to drive within the state of Pennsylvania (intrastate); 21 years old to drive across states (interstate)
  • Possess a Pennsylvania Commercial Leaner’s Permit
  • Complete the federally mandated Entry-Level Driver’s Training from a registered provider.

Pennsylvania CDL Application Process

Once you have a Pennsylvania Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and successfully completed your Entry-Level Driver’s Training (ELDT), you can do your Skills Test.

You can book your Skills Test here.

How to Prepare for the Pennsylvania CDL Road / Skills Test

The Road or Skills Test is comprised of:

  1. Pre-trip Inspection: This is to test your knowledge on the vehicle’s safety condition. You and the examiner
    will perform a walk around safety inspection of the test vehicle. The vehicle safety inspection includes examining the exterior, the interior, and under the hood or engine of the vehicle. If the vehicle is air brake
    equipped, you will be required to complete an air brake test on the vehicle
  2. Basic Control: This will test your skill to control the vehicle. The examiner will ask you to drive the vehicle forward, backward and turn it within a specified area. You will be directed to perform four exercises in a row. You will be graded on how well you stay within the exercise boundaries, how many times you move forward and final vehicle position.
  3. Road Test: This is to test your skill on how well you drive the vehicle in different traffic conditions. The examiner may ask you to turn the vehicle left and right, drive through intersections, how to approach railroad crossings, single or multi-lane roads, highways, up and down grades, etc. The examiner will grade you on specific tasks like turns; merging into traffic; lane changes and speed control at specific places along the route. The examiner will also score whether you correctly do tasks such as signalling, searching for hazards, controlling speed and lane positioning.

A great CDL school will prepare you to do well on the Road / Skills test, so make sure you research and select the best CDL training for the license class you want to obtain.

Read our article on how to prepare for the CDL driving test.

Pennsylvania CDL Fees

  • Increase Fee – when upgrading from a non-commercial license to a CDL. Determine the number of months until expiration of your driver’s license:
    • 7-12 Months: $42.50
    • 13-24 Months: $63.50
    • 25-36 Months: $84.50
    • 37-48 Months: $105.50
  • Endorsement Fee: $6 per endorsement
  • HazMat Fee: $21
  • Restriction Removal Fee: $6 per restriction
  • CDL Renewal Fee (4 years): $123.50
  • CDL Renewal with Hazmat (4 years): $144.50
  • CDL Renewal – age 65+ (2 years): $69.50
  • CDL Renewal with Hazmat – age 65+ (2 years): $90.50
  • Upgrade Commercial Class or Endorsement: $21.50
  • Remove Commercial Restriction: $21.50
  • Upgrade to HazMat: $42.50

For more information on fees. go to the PennDOT site.

Pennsylvania CDL Resources

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