How to Get a CDL in Florida: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

📅 Updated July 2026 📌 Source: FLHSMV (flhsmv.gov) ⏱ 10 min read

Class A CDL Class B CDL FLHSMV CLP ELDT Third-Party Skills Test

Florida's CDL process has more unique rules than most people expect. Skills tests are not at the DMV. Paper medical certificates are gone. Testing is now English-only. And you need two proofs of residency instead of one. This guide covers every step for 2026 — using only verified information from FLHSMV.

Florida is different from most states in four important ways:
1. CDL skills tests are conducted exclusively at private third-party sites — not at FLHSMV offices.
2. Florida requires two proofs of Florida residential address (effective June 1, 2022).
3. As of December 16, 2025, paper DOT medical certificates are no longer accepted — results must be submitted electronically by your examiner.
4. Effective February 6, 2026, all CDL knowledge and skills tests are in English only.

Who Can Get a Florida CDL

Before starting the CDL process in Florida, you must meet all of the following:

Requirement	Detail
Florida Class E license	Must already hold a valid Florida non-commercial driver's license. Temporary/interim licenses are acceptable.
Age	Minimum 18. Under 21: CDL carries a K restriction (intrastate Florida only). Interstate commercial driving requires age 21.
Florida residency	Must be domiciled in Florida. Non-Florida residents cannot get a Florida CDL (with limited exceptions for H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visa holders under the non-domiciled CDL program reinstated May 13, 2026).
Medical fitness	Must pass a DOT physical examination conducted by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner.
No disqualifying offenses	Certain criminal convictions, CDL disqualifications, or out-of-service orders may prevent you from getting a CDL.
ELDT completion	First-time Class A or B applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training from an FMCSA-registered provider.

The 9-Step Florida CDL Process

Hold a valid Florida Class E driver's license

You cannot apply for a Florida CDL or CLP without an existing Florida Class E (standard non-commercial) driver's license. If you have an out-of-state license, you must first convert it to a Florida Class E before beginning the CDL process.

Get your DOT physical — and wait 24–48 hours before your FLHSMV appointment

Schedule your DOT physical with an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. Find one at the FMCSA National Registry at nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov. The exam typically costs $75–$150 and is valid for up to 2 years (1 year if you have certain medical conditions).

Critical Florida change effective December 16, 2025: Paper Medical Examiner's Certificates are no longer accepted at FLHSMV. Your examiner must submit your results electronically to the FMCSA National Registry. FLHSMV then accesses the data directly. Allow 24–48 business hours after your physical before your FLHSMV appointment. Arriving too soon means your record may not be in the system yet.

Do not book your FLHSMV appointment the same day as your DOT physical. As of December 16, 2025, Florida requires electronic submission by your examiner. The record takes 24 to 48 business hours to appear in FMCSA systems. If you show up at the FLHSMV before your record is visible, your appointment will fail.

Complete ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training)

If you are applying for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time — meaning you have never held a CDL before — you must complete Entry-Level Driver Training from an FMCSA Training Provider Registry-registered provider before taking any CDL knowledge tests.

Find registered Florida ELDT providers at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov. Your provider submits your ELDT completion electronically to FMCSA — you do not need to bring a paper certificate. ELDT is not required for CDL upgrades (adding a Class A if you already have a Class B) or endorsement-only additions.

Gather your documents — including TWO proofs of Florida residential address

Florida requires more documentation than most states. Bring all of the following to your FLHSMV appointment:

Identity: Your valid Florida Class E driver's license
Social Security: Your Social Security card or a document showing your full SSN
Medical: Your electronic DOT medical certification must already be on file with FMCSA (submitted by your examiner)
Residency — TWO documents required: One from List A AND one from List B, OR two from List A. Acceptable List A documents include: utility bill (electric, water, gas, landline) dated within 6 months; bank or credit card statement dated within 6 months; mortgage or deed; vehicle registration. Lease agreements must be for at least 6 months and dated within the last 6 months. You cannot use HSMV form 71120 (Certification of Address) for CDL purposes.

Two residency proofs is not optional. Florida requires two separate proofs of Florida residential address effective June 1, 2022. Applicants who arrive with only one address document will be turned away and must reschedule. Check the current FLHSMV document list at flhsmv.gov before your appointment.

Apply for your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and pass knowledge tests

Visit your county tax collector's office or an FLHSMV service center. Florida CDL knowledge tests are taken at these locations — not at a private testing center.

Required knowledge tests for a Class A CDL:
— General Knowledge: 50 questions, must score 40 or higher (80%)
— Combination Vehicles: 20 questions, must score 16 or higher (80%)
— Air Brakes: 25 questions, must score 20 or higher (80%) — skip this and you get an L restriction

The CLP fee is $6.25 and includes all knowledge tests. Your CLP is valid for 12 months from the date you passed the General Knowledge test — not from the date the CLP was issued. If you fail a knowledge test, you can retake it on another visit at no additional cost. However, failing three times requires reapplication.

Effective February 6, 2026: All CDL knowledge tests are in English only. Interpreters are not permitted.

Hold your CLP for at least 14 days

Federal law (49 CFR 383.25) requires a minimum 14-day hold period between CLP issuance and the CDL skills test. No exceptions. Use this time to practice driving the vehicle type you will test in. When practicing, a CDL holder must be in the front passenger seat at all times.

Schedule your CDL skills test at a Florida-contracted third-party site

This is the step that surprises most Florida CDL applicants: Florida does not administer CDL skills tests at FLHSMV offices. Every CDL skills test in Florida is conducted at an FLHSMV-contracted private third-party testing facility.

Find the current list of contracted third-party testers at flhsmv.gov. Sites are located throughout the state — but availability varies by region. In high-demand areas like South Florida, appointments can book out 2–4 weeks. Plan accordingly.

Skills test fees are set by each private tester, not by FLHSMV. Typical Class A fees range from $150 to $700. Retest fees are set at $20 by FLHSMV but third-party sites may charge additional fees. You must bring your own vehicle or a vehicle provided by your CDL school that matches the class you are testing for.

Florida Statute 322.56(3)(b) — Random Re-Testing: FLHSMV has the authority to conduct random re-tests of applicants who have already passed their CDL skills test. This is unique to Florida. The re-test is free and is conducted by FLHSMV personnel at no cost to the driver. Passing the original skills test does not eliminate this possibility.

Pass the three-part CDL skills test

The CDL skills test has three parts, each of which must be passed:

Part 1 — Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: You verbally walk through your vehicle inspection, naming each component and explaining what you are checking. The examiner may introduce deliberate defects you must identify.

Part 2 — Basic Vehicle Control: On a closed course, you complete backing maneuvers including straight-line backing, offset back (alley dock), and parallel parking. You have a limited number of pull-ups (forward corrections) before deductions occur.

Part 3 — Road Test: A driving route covering typical traffic situations — turns, lane changes, intersections, railroad crossings, and highway driving. The examiner evaluates your mirror use, following distance, speed management, and traffic law compliance.

Return to FLHSMV to receive your Florida CDL

After passing the skills test, bring your CLP and the skills test completion documentation from the third-party tester to your county tax collector's office or FLHSMV service center. Pay the CDL issuance fee of $75–$81. Your Florida CDL is typically issued the same day if all documentation is in order.

Your Florida CDL is valid for 8 years — one of the longest renewal periods in the United States. HazMat endorsements expire every 4 years and require a new TSA security threat assessment background check.

Florida CDL vs. Other States: Key Differences

Feature	Florida	California	Colorado	Texas
CDL skills test location	Third-party sites only	DMV offices	DMV offices	DMV offices
CLP fee	$6.25	$100	$16.80	$25
CDL renewal period	8 years	5 years	5 years	8 years
Residency proofs required	Two documents	One document	One document	One document
Out-of-state CDL transfer	Skills test waived	Full retest required	Skills test waived	Skills test waived
Paper medical certificate	Not accepted (Dec 2025)	Accepted	Accepted	Accepted
Testing language	English only (Feb 2026)	Multiple languages	Multiple languages	English only (June 2026)

Florida CDL Fee Summary

Fee	Amount	Notes
CLP application + knowledge tests	$6.25	All knowledge tests included
CDL issuance	$75–$81	Class A or B
Skills test (third-party)	$150–$700	Set by each private tester
Skills test retest	$20	Plus any third-party site fee
DOT physical	$75–$150	Not paid to FLHSMV
HazMat endorsement (TSA check)	~$85–$87	Required for H endorsement
CDL renewal (every 8 years)	$75	No knowledge/skills retest

Ready to Practice for Your Florida CDL Tests?

Our Florida CDL practice tests cover all three knowledge modules — General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles — with full rationale on every answer.

Start Florida CDL Practice Tests

Military CDL Waiver

Active duty military personnel and honorably discharged veterans may qualify for a Florida CDL skills test waiver. The standard waiver window is within 90 days of honorable discharge from the U.S. military. Florida National Guard members have a 1-year window. You must provide a Certification for Waiver of Skill Test form and have at least 2 years of experience operating a military CMV equivalent to the CDL class being applied for. Note that School Bus and Passenger endorsement skills tests cannot be waived under the military exemption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a CDL in Florida?

Most Florida CDL applicants complete the process in 6 to 10 weeks. CDL school takes 3 to 6 weeks. Add the mandatory 14-day CLP hold, time to schedule your DOT physical and knowledge tests, and time to book a third-party skills test appointment — which can fill up weeks in advance near major metros like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. Budget 8 weeks to be safe.

How much does a CDL cost in Florida?

The Florida CLP fee is $6.25, which includes knowledge tests. The CDL issuance fee is $75 to $81. The skills test at a third-party site costs $150 to $700 depending on the tester and class. A DOT physical runs $75 to $150. CDL school tuition adds $1,500 to $10,000. Most applicants spend $2,000 to $5,000 total, or more with private school tuition.

Why does Florida require two proofs of residential address?

Effective June 1, 2022, Florida requires all CDL and CLP applicants to present two separate proofs of Florida residential address from an FLHSMV-approved document list. One document must come from List A and one from List B, or two from List A. A lease agreement must be for at least 6 months and dated within the last 6 months. You cannot use HSMV form 71120 (Certification of Address) for CDL purposes.

Why does Florida use third-party skills test sites instead of DMV offices?

Florida contracts with private third-party testing facilities to conduct all CDL skills tests. FLHSMV offices do not administer skills tests. This is one of the most significant differences between Florida and most other states. Third-party sites set their own fees, ranging from $150 to $700 for Class A. Find the current FLHSMV-approved tester list at flhsmv.gov.

What changed about Florida CDL testing in February 2026?

Effective February 6, 2026, all Florida driver license knowledge and skills tests — including CDL tests — are administered in English only. Previously, Florida CDL knowledge tests were offered in English and Spanish. Interpreters are no longer permitted for any part of the CDL testing process.

Can I transfer an out-of-state CDL to Florida without retesting?

Yes. Florida generally waives the CDL skills test for applicants transferring from a valid out-of-state CDL. You surrender your out-of-state CDL, pass a vision exam, and pay the applicable Florida fees. This is a significant difference from California, which requires full retesting for all out-of-state CDL holders.

What is the minimum age for a CDL in Florida?

You must be at least 18 to apply for a Florida CDL. Drivers under 21 receive a CDL with a K restriction limiting them to intrastate (Florida-only) commercial driving. Interstate operation requires age 21. The K restriction is removed automatically when the driver turns 21 and meets all other requirements.

What changed about Florida CDL medical certificates in December 2025?

Effective December 16, 2025, Florida no longer accepts paper Medical Examiner's Certificates. Your DOT physical examiner must submit your results electronically to the FMCSA National Registry. Allow 24 to 48 business hours after your physical before your FLHSMV appointment so the record appears in the system.

Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov). Federal regulations: 49 CFR Parts 383 and 391. Last verified July 2026.