How to Apply for a CDL — By State
Step-by-step CDL application instructions for every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. Each guide covers the issuing agency, document checklist, fee schedule, ELDT requirements, and the realistic timeline from DOT physical to license.
Every state issues CDLs under the same federal framework, but the application process — agency name, fees, ELDT-approved providers, knowledge-test administration, skills-test scheduling — varies by state. Pick your state below for a complete, current walkthrough.
Alabama AL
Apply through Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Driver License Division
Alaska AK
Apply through Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
Arizona AZ
Apply through Arizona Department of Transportation MVD
Arkansas AR
Apply through Arkansas Office of Driver Services
California CA
Apply through California Department of Motor Vehicles
Colorado CO
Apply through Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles
Connecticut CT
Apply through Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
Delaware DE
Apply through Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
District of Columbia DC
Apply through DC Department of Motor Vehicles
Florida FL
Apply through Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Georgia GA
Apply through Georgia Department of Driver Services
Hawaii HI
Apply through Hawaii Department of Transportation
Idaho ID
Apply through Idaho Transportation Department Division of Motor Vehicles
Illinois IL
Apply through Illinois Secretary of State
Indiana IN
Apply through Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Iowa IA
Apply through Iowa Department of Transportation
Kansas KS
Apply through Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles
Kentucky KY
Apply through Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Louisiana LA
Apply through Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
Maine ME
Apply through Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Maryland MD
Apply through Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Massachusetts MA
Apply through Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
Michigan MI
Apply through Michigan Department of State
Minnesota MN
Apply through Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services
Mississippi MS
Apply through Mississippi Department of Public Safety
Missouri MO
Apply through Missouri Department of Revenue
Montana MT
Apply through Montana Motor Vehicle Division
Nebraska NE
Apply through Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
Nevada NV
Apply through Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
New Hampshire NH
Apply through New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles
New Jersey NJ
Apply through New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
New Mexico NM
Apply through New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division
New York NY
Apply through New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
North Carolina NC
Apply through North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
North Dakota ND
Apply through North Dakota Department of Transportation
Ohio OH
Apply through Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Oklahoma OK
Apply through Oklahoma Department of Public Safety
Oregon OR
Apply through Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services
Pennsylvania PA
Apply through Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Rhode Island RI
Apply through Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles
South Carolina SC
Apply through South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
South Dakota SD
Apply through South Dakota Driver Licensing Program
Tennessee TN
Apply through Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Texas TX
Apply through Texas Department of Public Safety
Utah UT
Apply through Utah Driver License Division
Vermont VT
Apply through Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
Virginia VA
Apply through Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Washington WA
Apply through Washington State Department of Licensing
West Virginia WV
Apply through West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles
Wisconsin WI
Apply through Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Wyoming WY
Apply through Wyoming Department of Transportation