Step-By-Stup Guide to a Tennessee Commercial Driver's License
1. Review CDL Requirments in Tennessee
As with any state, before you get a Tennessee commercial driver's license, the best thing to do is review the state CDL requirements. Among these will be an age requirement, as well as a DOT physical requirement. By getting familiar with these items before beginning the process, you'll help ensure things go smoothly.
2. Get Your Tennessee CDL Permit
Much like getting a regular driver's license, a permit is required to move forward with the steps of obtaining a Tennessee Class A CDL. To obtain a CDL permit, you must take and pass the General Knowledge test. This can be done at any of the Full-Service Driver Service Centers throughout the state.
3. Add CDL Endorsements
If you wish to add an endorsement to your Tennessee CDL, you will need to pass CDL endorsement tests. Be sure to research this beforehand, as Tennessee has changed the process of getting a Hazardeous Materials Endorsement. The security threat assessment is now initiated through the
Hazardous Material Endorsement Enrollment website universalenroll.dhs.gov, not at the Driver Service Centers. Other important changes and information can be reviewed on the state's website here.
4. Take Tennessee CDL Skills Test
In Tennessee, the driver must pass 3 different skills tests in order to get a CDL - a pre-trip inspection test, basic control skills test, and driving
test. These tests must be taken at a
Commercial Driver License Road Skills Test location. An appointment must be scheduled to take the skills test by calling the number listed on this website.
Go To Truck Driver School In Tennessee
Going to truck driver school in Tennessee is a great way to go about getting a CDL license. By getting training from a CDL school in Tennessee, you will learn the classroom information needed to pass the written exam and get the hands-on training required to master the pre-trip inspection and the CDL skills test. This is sure to make the process of getting a Tennessee CDL much easier and more successful.
Driver Solutions offers a company paid CDL training program which not only helps new drivers get a Tennessee Class A CDL license, but also provides job placement assistance with PAM Transport to find Tennessee truck driver jobs. This means the driver can learn the skills needed to get a CDL without the burden of school tuition costs AND has a Tennessee driving job opportunity available upon completing trucker training!
Start Tennessee CDL Training Now!
Apply Now
We can find a Tennessee truck driving school offering company paid training so you can get a Tennessee Class A CDL. Take a few moments to apply online today and you'll be able to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Solutions’ representative about the truck driver job opportunities and CDL training schools in Tennessee!
CDL Training School Locations
Driver Solutions works with CDL training schools located in the hiring areas we serve throughout the United States, including Tennessee. We are continuing to form new partnerships and our representatives will always work to find the best location near you. Currently, we're able to help new drivers find truck driving schools to get a Class A CDL in and around the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
To be eligible for a commercial driver’s license in (CDL) Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years old and carry a valid Tennessee Class D driver's license with a clean driving record.
Anyone looking to operate a vehicle larger and more complex than your average passenger car in Tennessee will likely need to get a commercial driver’s license first. While there are a few types of CDLs, the requirements are largely the same. They all include proof of identity and citizenship, a valid Class D license, some medical screenings, and a visit to a Driver’s Services Center.
To break down exactly what you’ll need for your commercial driver's license,
Jerry
—the super app for
car insurance
—has created a guide to Tennessee CDL requirements. Read on to learn more about the CDL classes, endorsements, and requirements—as well as a way to save on
Tennessee insurance costs
for your personal vehicle.
What is required for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Tennessee?
Navigating the process of getting your CDL in Tennessee can be overwhelming. Not only do you have to figure out which class of license you need, but you’ll also need to be able to show proof of identity and residency, meet certain medical requirements, and have a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that can be used to take your CDL test.
The first step in getting your CDL is knowing exactly what class you will need, as well as which endorsements may be required for your purposes.
Tennessee CDL classes
In Tennessee, there are three classes of commercial licenses: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Let’s take a look at what each of these means:
Class A: Applicable to any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of at least 26,001 pounds in which the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the towed vehicle is more than 10,000 pounds
Class B: Applicable to single vehicles or combination vehicles where the GVWR of the single vehicle is at least 26,001 pounds, as long as the vehicle being towed is less than 10,000 pounds GVWR
Class C: Applicable to single or combination vehicles that are designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or are used to transport hazardous materials
Class A vehicles include tractor-trailers like semis, truck and trailer combinations, livestock carriers, and some flatbeds. Class B vehiclesmight include school buses, delivery trucks, and dump trucks with trailers. Class C vehicles might also include buses, as well as HazMat vehicles and double trailers. With certain endorsements, Class A and Class B licenses may authorize you to drive certain vehicles from a less comprehensive class, as well.
Endorsements
There are five types of endorsements for Tennessee CDLs that make a difference in the type of vehicle you are allowed to drive.
T: Double or Triple trailers
To get any of these endorsements, you will have to take and pass a knowledge, a skills test, or both. To earn the S endorsement, you will also have to be at least 25 years old.
Minimum age requirement
The minimum age requirement for a CDL depends on where you will be driving and the type of vehicle (in some cases).
Those only looking to operate their commercial vehicle within the state need to be 18 or older. However, if you’re looking to cross state lines and do interstate driving, you will have to be 21 years of age or older.
As we mentioned earlier, the only endorsement with a specific age requirement is the S endorsement, for driving school buses. You have to be at least 25 years old to be eligible for an S endorsement in Tennessee.
Medical requirements
There are also some medical requirements that drivers in Tennessee need to meet to get their CDL license. Those include:
Vision in both eyes, each being at least 20/40; glasses or contacts to help meet these requirements are allowed
The ability to distinguish colors
The ability to hear a forced whisper at a distance of at least five feet
Blood pressure of 160/100 or better; prescription medication to help meet this requirement is allowed
Blood sugar cannot be higher than 200
Diabetes (if applicable) must be controlled through diet or medication, and not reliant on insulin injections
No use of Schedule 1 drugs, amphetamine, narcotics, or any habit-forming drugs
Those who are currently diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease will need to provide the Medical Examiner with a stress test and a note from a physician stating that they are capable of driving a CMV
You will need to have a valid D.O.T. medical card if you are employed by a government entity to drive a vehicle with a HazMat (H), Passenger (P), or School Bus (S) endorsement.
New ELDT requirements for 2022
As of February 2022, drivers trying to get a Tennessee CDL for the first time will need to follow new regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)
.
The ELDT regulations are the minimum Federal requirements for training that entry-level drivers must complete before they can take certain commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills or knowledge tests. New applicants will have to find a registered training provider in
FMCSA’s registry
to:
Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time
Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A
Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policiesNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
How to apply for a CDL in Tennessee
Now that you know which kind of CDL you need, you can get ready to start the application process.
Traffic violations—especially major ones—can impact your CDL eligibility.You will not be approved if your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled while applying for your CDL. You will also be banned from obtaining a CDL If you have
multiple DUI offenses
or have ever used a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony.
Before applying for your CDL, you will first need toobtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) by passing a knowledge test. This test will cover general knowledge, as well as information needed for any endorsements you are applying for.
You’ll need to provide the following documents when applying for your CLP:
Your Social Security Number
Tennessee driver’s license or ID, or a valid driver's license or CDL from another state
Proof of Domicile in Tennessee (Applicants for a CDL or permit will be required to present two proofs of domicile); these may include your most recent utility bill, vehicle registration, or voters registration card
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Presence
If you are applying for hazardous materials endorsement (H), you must first be submitted for a fingerprint-based background check.
Bring these documents to your
local driver’s license office
, along with $14 for the Class A permit and $13 for a Class B or C permit. You can then schedule and complete your knowledge testat a Tennessee Full-Service Driver Service Center. Every Knowledge Test covers 20 general sections as laid out in
49 CFR 383.111
and incorporate 30 questions.
There are separate knowledge tests for drivers looking to operate vehicles with air brakes, and those looking for certain endorsements. These tests are made up of multiple-choice questions, as well as matching questions. You will need a score of at least 80% to pass. You’ll also get your fingerprints and picture taken, and be required to pass a vision exam.
You’ll need to hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you cantake your skills exam and get your CDL. The permit only allows you to practice on public roads with a qualified Tennessee CDL holderwho is at least 21 sitting next to you. Permits are valid for up to one year.
To get your CDL, you will need to make an appointment at your local driver service center, and bring all the same documentsyou brought to get your permit. There will be an additional fee for your CDL, which will depend on which type of license you are looking for. The fee for a Class A license is $70, while a Class B or C will cost $62.
Some endorsements are an additional fee as well.
Tanker Endorsement: $8.50
School Bus Endorsement: $26.00
Hazardous Material Endorsement: $8.50
Double & Triple Trailer Endorsement: $8.50
The last step of the process is the skills test, which can be scheduled either at a Driver Services Center location or with a certified
CDL Third Party Program Participants
. You will need to bring your vehicle to the test, which will be subject to a pre-trip inspection for safety.
Then, there will be a test of your knowledge of basic vehicle control, as well as a road test to show your skills. The test will include:
Traffic signs and signals
Upshifting and downshifting (if applicable)
If you complete all the requirements and pass the skills test, you’ll have earned your Tennessee CDL.
How long is a CDL valid in Tennessee?
A Tennessee Class A CDL is valid for eight years from the date it is issued. Class B and Class C CDLs are valid for five years. Renewal fees for your CDL are the same as the fees for first-timers: $70 for a Class A license, and $62 for a class B or C. If you are renewing your endorsements, those original fees will apply as well.
How to save on car insurance in Tennessee
Commercial drivers in Tennessee are subject to application, license, and renewal fees that add up quickly. Saving some extra money for the process by lowering your personal car insurance policy price can help!
Turn to super app Jerry—your one-stop shop for car insurance. A
licensed insurance broker
with an extensive network of the nation's top providers, Jerry only needs a bit of basic information from a quick sign-up to get started. Then, Jerry scans their network to bring you the best quotes for your preferred level of coverage—all in less than a minute!
“
Jerry
was quick and provided me with various choices. I found the policy I wanted in 10 minutes and was able to drive off with my new car!” —Emiya S.
RECOMMENDED
Jerry automatically checks if you are paying the lowest price for your insurance, for free.Instantly compare top insurance companies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
What insurance do you want to compare?