To drive a commercial vehicle for a living, you are required to get a Commercial Driver’s License or CDL in New Jersey. There are requirements such as age minimum, medical, physical, vision, training and written and road tests to get your CDL.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class and Endorsements
CDLs come in three classes:
| Class A CDL | Allows you to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. If you need to tow a trailer or vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds, then this license is appropriate. |
| Class B CDL | Allows you to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any vehicle towing a vehicle with with a GVWR that doesn't exceed 10,000 pounds. |
| Class C CDL | Allows you to operate any single or combination of vehicles, not classified as Class A or B vehicles, that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or transport hazardous materials. |
CDL Endorsements
| CDL Endorsements | ||
|---|---|---|
| T | Double/Triple Trailers | |
| P | Passenger Vehicles | |
| N | Tank Vehicles | |
| H | Hazardous Materials | Requires a security check |
| K | Intrastate Only | |
| X | Tank Vehicles Transporting Hazardous Materials | Requires a security check |
| S | School Bus |
New Jersey Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
You must first get your CDL permit before you can get your CDL in New Jersey. The commercial learner’s permit lets you drive a commercial motor vehicle on public roads while accompanied by a CDL operator of the same license class. The New Jersey learner’s permit is valid for 180 days. You must wait at least 14 days from when your CLP was issued before you can take your Skills / Roads test.
New Jersey CDL Permit Requirements
To get your CLP in New Jersey, you need to:
- Meet CDL age requirements: Be 18 years of age to drive within Florida (intrastate); 21 years old to drive cross country (interstate), and to transport hazardous materials.
- Have a valid non-commercial driver’s license – Class D
- Pass vision requirements:
- Have at least 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without glasses)
- Able to recognize red, green, and amber colors
- Pass medical exam (if applicable)
- Pass applicable knowledge and endorsement tests
- Have a clean driving record in the last 10 years
- Have a Social Security Number (SSN)
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
How to Get Your CLP in New Jersey
- Make a CDL Permit appointment with the New Jersey MVC
- Complete the CDL Application form (PDF)
- Bring the following:
- Driver’s license
- 6 Points ID
- Social Security Card
- Proof of address
- Proof of legal presence in the US.
- CDL Holder Self-Certification form
- Valid medical examiner’s certificate
- Pay the commercial examination test receipt fee: $125
- Take and pass the appropriate knowledge and endorsement exams
New Jersey CDL Requirements
- Meet CDL age requirements: Be 18 years old to drive intrastate or within the state of Florida; be 21 years of age to drive across and out of the country, and transport hazardous materials
- Pass the vision test
- Have a CDL Permit
- Complete the mandatory Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) for:
- Class A CDL or Class B CDL for the first time;
- Upgrading existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL;
- School bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the
first time
- Obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate for:
- Non-excepted Interstate – operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce
- Non-excepted Intrastate – operate or expect to operate only in intrastate commerce
- Pass the Skills / Road exam
New Jersey CDL Application Process
- Schedule a Skills Test appointment with New Jersey MVC
- Bring the following:
- Driver’s license
- Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Medical Card
- Commercial vehicle registration and insurance if you’re bringing your own vehicle
- Pass the Skills test
- Pay for CDL fee: $42 and $2 for each endorsement
New Jersey CDL Fees
- CLP fee: $125
- CDL fee (original / renewal): $42
- Endorsement fee: $2 / endorsement
- Duplicate examination test receipt fee: $3
- Duplicate CLP fee: $11
New Jersey CDL Resources
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC)
- New Jersey CDL Manual (PDF)
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