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How Do I Get a CDL in Michigan?

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You will need a commercial driver’s license or CDL in Michigan if you want to:

When You Need a CDL
Operate a commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more
Drive combination vehicles – tow a trailer or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 lbs. or more
Operate a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver)
Carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding

How to Get a CDL in Michigan

  1. Schedule an appointment to visit a Secretary of State office. At your appointment, provide the following:
    1. Valid Michigan driver’s license
    2. Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence
    3. Social Security Card
  2. Fill out the Commercial Driver’s License certification form (PDF). You will need to self-certify that you meet medical and driver qualifications.
    1. Non-excepted interstate – drive a commercial motor vehicle outside of Michigan and am legally required to have a medical certificate. (You also must provide a medical certificate.)
    2. Excepted interstate – operate a CMV outside of Michigan, only for an excepted purpose and am not legally required to have a medical certificate
    3. Non-excepted intrastate – drive a CMV only within Michigan (intrastate commerce) and am legally required to have a medical certificate.
    4. Excepted intrastate – operate a CMV only within Michigan for an excepted purpose and am not legally required to have a medical certificate.
  3. Meet driver record eligibility requirements:
    1. You can’t have a driver’s license from more than one state.
    2. No active Michigan or out-state suspension, revocation, denial or cancellation of your driving privilege. The license
      action must be resolved before you can apply for a CDL.
    3. No suspension or revocation in the 36 months preceding your CDL application.
    4. No conviction of any six-point violation in the 24 months preceding your CDL application.
    5. No conviction for operating a CMV while impaired in the 24 months preceding your CDL application.
  4. Pass the applicable knowledge (general knowledge and endorsements) and vision tests to get your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
  5. Pay CDL fees:
    1. CDL: $25 (standard) / $45 (enhanced) – this fee covers both your CLP and CDL
    2. Endorsement: $5 per endorsement / $10 for X endorsement
  6. Once you pass the written test(s), you will be issued a commercial learner’s permit
  7. Complete Entry-Level Driver’s Training (ELDT) with an approved provider registered with FMCSA if you are:
    1. Getting your Class A or B for the first time
    2. Upgrading an existing Class B to a Class A
    3. Obtaining these endorsements for the first time: Hazardous materials (H), Passenger (P), and School bus (S)
  8. Once you complete the ELDT, you can make an appointment with a 3rd party testing organization to do your skills or road test. Fees vary.
  9. After passing your CDL skills test, you need to visit a Secretary of State office and pay the Correction fee to receive a temporary CDL or a CDL permit to operate a CMV until you receive the photo CDL in the mail (10-14 business days from when you’re issued the temporary CDL):
    1. Correction fee: $18 (standard) / $24 (enhanced)

CDL Fees in Michigan

CDL Fees in Michigan
CDL$25 (standard) / $45 (enhanced)Covers both permit and CDL
Endorsement$5 per endorsement / $10 X (Tanker/HazMat combination)
Correction$18 (standard) / $24 (enhanced)This is a temporary CDL until you receive the photo CDL in the mail
Skills TestFees vary. Test provided by 3rd party
ELDT / CDL TrainingFees vary. Training offered by approved provider registered with FMCSA

Michigan CDL Requirements

  • Meet CDL age requirements: 18 years old to drive intrastate / 21 years old to drive interstate and/or transport hazardous materials
  • Pass vision test
  • Meet medical requirements (if applicable)
  • Pass knowledge (written) and skills/road tests
  • Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
  • Clean driving record
  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
  • Have a social security number (SSN)

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