Getting a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in Virginia is a structured process that takes most applicants between 4 and 12 weeks from start to finish. This guide covers every step — from eligibility requirements and the knowledge tests to Entry-Level Driver Training, the skills test, and what documents to bring to the DMV. Everything here is sourced directly from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Important 2025 Update: As of September 29, 2025, the Virginia DMV has paused the issuance and renewal of non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs due to new federal FMCSA regulations. This affects non-domiciled applicants only. If you are a Virginia resident with a valid Virginia driver's license, the standard CDL process below applies to you. Always verify the latest requirements at dmv.virginia.gov before your appointment.
Before you begin the CDL process, confirm you meet all basic eligibility requirements set by the Virginia DMV and federal FMCSA regulations.
You can get a Virginia CDL at 18 for driving within Virginia state borders only. You cannot cross state lines or transport hazardous materials until you are 21.
You must be at least 21 to drive across state lines or to transport hazardous materials requiring placards. Most trucking jobs require interstate driving, so most applicants wait until 21.
You must hold a current, valid Virginia non-commercial driver's license before applying for a CDL or Commercial Learner's Permit.
All CDL applicants must pass a physical examination by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. The examiner issues a DOT Medical Card, which you'll need for your DMV appointment. Find a certified examiner at nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov.
You must declare which category of commercial driving you will be doing: non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, or excepted intrastate. Most drivers choose non-excepted interstate.
Virginia will review your driving history across all 50 states for the past 10 years as required by the FMCSA. Major violations such as DUIs, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident can disqualify you.
Virginia DMV appointments require specific documentation. Missing even one document means rescheduling. Bring all of the following to your appointment:
Your current non-commercial Virginia driver's license.
Your Social Security is verified electronically by DMV in most cases, or bring your Social Security card if requested.
A document verifying your current Virginia address if it isn't already on file with DMV. Acceptable documents include utility bills, bank statements, and lease agreements. Check the Virginia DMV website for the full list of accepted documents.
Your completed DOT physical card from an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. Allow 24–48 hours after your exam before your DMV appointment so the results can be processed.
Complete the application, available at any DMV customer service center or online in advance from dmv.virginia.gov.
Cash Not Accepted: Virginia DMV does not accept cash for CDL-related fees at Driver License Centers. Bring a debit card, credit card, check, or money order instead.
CDL knowledge tests are taken in person on a computer at a Virginia DMV customer service center. Tests are offered in several languages — except the HazMat test, which is English only regardless of which language you used for other tests. You may only attempt a knowledge exam once per business day. You must pass the required knowledge tests before your CLP is issued.
| Test | Questions | Passing Score | Required For |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 questions | 40 correct (80%) | All CDL classes |
| Air Brakes | 25 questions | 20 correct (80%) | Air brake equipped vehicles |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 questions | 16 correct (80%) | Class A CDL only |
Important: You may only take a Virginia CDL knowledge exam once per business day — a failed attempt means returning on a different day, not an immediate same-day retake. Choose your class and endorsements carefully before testing so you know exactly which tests you need.
All CDL knowledge test questions come directly from the official Virginia Commercial Driver's Manual and the Virginia Supplement to the Commercial Driver's Manual. Download both free from dmv.virginia.gov. Then use our free practice tests to prepare:
After passing your knowledge tests at the DMV, you will be issued a Virginia Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). Here is what you need to know about your CLP:
Your Virginia CLP is valid for one year and cannot be renewed under any circumstance. If it expires before you complete your skills test, you must retake all required knowledge tests from scratch.
Federal law requires you to hold your CLP for at least 14 calendar days before you can take the CDL skills test.
With your CLP, you may only operate a commercial vehicle on public roads with a qualified CDL holder in the passenger seat. You cannot drive alone.
The CLP fee is just $3, one of the lowest in the country. Verify the current fee at the Virginia DMV fee schedule.
All first-time CDL applicants in Virginia are required by federal law to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-approved provider before taking their skills test. This is a federal mandate that applies in every state.
Covers safety, regulations, vehicle operations, and more. Can be completed online through any FMCSA-registered provider. Your provider submits your certification directly to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. For a HazMat endorsement specifically, only the theory portion of ELDT must be completed before your HazMat knowledge exam.
Required for Class A and Class B CDL applicants, and for first-time P or S endorsements. Must be completed at an FMCSA-registered facility before your road skills exam.
Find FMCSA-Registered Training Providers: Use the official FMCSA Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov to find approved providers in Virginia. Your training provider submits your completion record directly to the registry — Virginia DMV verifies this electronically before scheduling your skills test.
The Virginia CDL skills test is conducted by a DMV representative at select DMV customer service centers, or by a certified examiner at an approved third-party testing location. Because test availability is limited, schedule your appointment several weeks in advance.
You will be asked to inspect a commercial vehicle and identify any defects, explaining to the examiner what you're inspecting and why. This is also tested on your knowledge exam — knowing the inspection process in advance helps on both tests.
You will perform controlled driving maneuvers in an off-road area, including straight-line backing, offset backing, and alley docking. These require practice — most training programs spend significant time on these exercises.
You will drive on real roads with an examiner evaluating your ability to handle intersections, lane changes, turns, and highway driving. The full three-part test takes approximately 90 minutes.
Bring Your Own Vehicle: The DMV representative administers the test in a vehicle you provide, which must be in safe working condition with a valid safety inspection sticker, license plates, registration card, and working brakes, seat belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors, and speedometer. Only you and the examiner are allowed in the vehicle during the road test. The test may only be taken once per business day, and DMV charges a $50 fee for any missed appointment.
After passing your skills test, your results are recorded electronically. If you tested at a DMV customer service center, you can often complete CDL issuance the same day. If you tested with a third-party examiner, you'll return to DMV to complete issuance. Bring:
Your Virginia CDL will be valid for 8 years from the date of issuance, expiring on your birthday.
The total cost of getting a CDL in Virginia varies significantly depending on your training path and which endorsements you need. Here is a general breakdown:
| Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | $3 | Paid at Virginia DMV |
| DOT Physical Exam | $75–$150 | Cost varies by provider |
| ELDT Theory Training | $20–$110 | Online, through FMCSA-approved provider |
| Behind-the-Wheel Training | $3,000–$8,000 | Varies by school and program length |
| CDL Skills Test | Included with DMV; varies with third-party testers | $50 fee applies for missed appointments |
| CDL License Fee | $64 | Paid at Virginia DMV at issuance, no endorsements |
| Total Estimated Range | $3,200–$8,300+ | Varies by school and endorsements |
Free CDL Training Options: If cost is a concern, Virginia residents may qualify for free or subsidized CDL training through the WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) federal grant or GI Bill benefits at community colleges. Visit your local Virginia Career Works center to find out if you qualify. We cover this in detail in our Free CDL Training in Virginia guide.
Always verify current fees directly with the Virginia DMV fee schedule before your appointment, as fees are subject to change.
The total time from starting the process to receiving your CDL depends on your training program and scheduling. Here is a realistic timeline for most applicants:
| Phase | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Study for knowledge tests | 1–3 weeks |
| DOT physical exam | Same day — 45 minutes |
| DMV appointment + knowledge tests | 1–2 hours at DMV |
| Mandatory CLP hold period | 14 days minimum |
| ELDT theory training | A few hours online |
| Behind-the-wheel training | 2–8 weeks depending on program |
| Skills test scheduling + test day | 1–3 weeks to schedule + 90 minutes test day |
| CDL issuance | Often same day as skills test |
| Total Timeline | 4–12 weeks for most applicants |
Endorsements are add-ons to your base CDL that allow you to drive specific vehicle types or carry specific cargo. Each endorsement requires passing an additional knowledge test. Some require ELDT training as well.
Requires passing the HazMat knowledge test (English only), completing the theory portion of ELDT first, and a TSA background check with fingerprinting. Fee is $85.25, or $41 with a TWIC comparability waiver. Valid for 5 years.
Required for operating tank vehicles transporting liquids or gases. Knowledge test only — no ELDT required for the N endorsement alone.
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Knowledge test only.
Required for vehicles transporting 16 or more passengers. Requires ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel training for first-time applicants.
Required to operate a school bus. Must also hold the P endorsement. Requires ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel training for first-time applicants. Ineligible during any period of required Sex Offender Registry registration.
Combination endorsement for drivers transporting hazardous materials in tank vehicles. Requires both H and N endorsement tests plus the TSA background check.
Yes. Virginia allows CDL applicants to begin the process at age 18, but an 18-year-old CDL is restricted to intrastate driving only — meaning you can only drive within Virginia. You cannot cross state lines or transport hazardous materials until you turn 21.
There is no set limit on retakes, but you may only attempt a knowledge exam once per business day. Use our free practice tests to prepare thoroughly before your appointment so you pass on the first try.
Formal CDL school is not legally required to take the knowledge tests or get your CLP — but it is required for behind-the-wheel ELDT training, which is mandatory before your skills test. Additionally, most trucking employers will not hire drivers without formal training. Check the FMCSA Training Provider Registry to find registered schools in Virginia.
A Virginia CLP is valid for one year and cannot be renewed under any circumstance. You must complete your skills test within that 12-month window or start the entire knowledge-testing process again.
Virginia offers CDL knowledge exams in several languages, one of the broader accommodations among states. The one exception is the HazMat knowledge exam, which is always given in English only.
The Virginia CDL skills test is conducted at select DMV customer service centers and at approved third-party testing locations, including some Class A driver training schools certified as third-party testers. Availability is limited, so schedule several weeks in advance.
If your out-of-state CDL is current, you may be able to transfer it to Virginia without retesting for the base license. However, you will typically need to retest for certain endorsements. Visit dmv.virginia.gov for the full transfer requirements.
Use our free Virginia CDL practice tests to prepare for your knowledge exams. 500 questions, instant explanations, no signup required.
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