Connecticut CDL Test Requirements and CDL Endorsement Test Info
Do I Need A Commercial Driver License?
If you live in Connecticut and drive a Class A, B or C commercial vehicle, you must have an Connecticut Commercial Driver License (CDL).
CDL Endorsements are required for double/triple trailers, tanker vehicles, passenger vehicles and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials.
What Tests Do I Need To Take?
Don't know which endorsement you need? Just answer this question:
Tractor Trailer
To drive a Tractor Trailer in , you will need a Class A CDL.
Required Endorsements
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Combination Vehicles
- Pre-Trip Walk Around Inspection
- Skills and Road Test
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
The CDL Value Package offers more at a better deal! Find out more.
Optional Endorsements
- If you will be transporting hazardous materials, in addition to the required tests, you will need to pass the Hazardous Materials test.
- If you will be pulling more than one trailer (at a time), in addition to the required tests, you will also need to pass the Doubles/Triples test.
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
Straight Truck
To drive a Straight Truck in , you will need a Class B CDL.
Required Endorsements
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Pre-Trip Walk Around Inspection
- Skills and Road Test
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
Optional Endorsements
- If you will be transporting hazardous materials, in addition to the required tests, you will need to pass the Hazardous Materials test.
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
Moving Van (6 wheel)
To drive a Moving Van (6 wheel) in , you will need a Class B CDL.
Required Endorsements
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Pre-Trip Walk Around Inspection
- Skills and Road Test
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
Optional Endorsements
- If you will be transporting hazardous materials, in addition to the required tests, you will need to pass the Hazardous Materials test.
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
Dump Truck
To drive a Dump Truck in , you will need a Class B CDL.
Required Endorsements
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Pre-Trip Walk Around Inspection
- Skills and Road Test
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
Optional Endorsements
- If you will be transporting hazardous materials, in addition to the required tests, you will need to pass the Hazardous Materials test.
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
Cement Truck
To drive a Cement Truck in , you will need a Class B CDL.
Required Endorsements
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Pre-Trip Walk Around Inspection
- Skills and Road Test
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
Optional Endorsements
- If you will be transporting hazardous materials, in addition to the required tests, you will need to pass the Hazardous Materials test.
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
School Bus
To drive a School Bus in , you will need a Class B CDL.
Required Endorsements
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Pre-Trip Walk Around Inspection
- School Bus
- Skills and Road Test
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
The CDL Value Package offers more at a better deal! Find out more.
Optional Endorsements
- If you will be transporting hazardous materials, in addition to the required tests, you will need to pass the Hazardous Materials test.
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
Transit Bus
To drive a Transit Bus in , you will need a Class B CDL.
Required Endorsements
- General Knowledge
- Passenger Transport
- Air Brakes
- Pre-Trip Walk Around Inspection
- Skills and Road Test
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
The CDL Value Package offers more at a better deal! Find out more.
Optional Endorsements
- If you will be transporting hazardous materials, in addition to the required tests, you will need to pass the Hazardous Materials test.
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
Fire Truck
To drive a Fire Truck in , you will need a Class B CDL.
Required Endorsements
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes
- Pre-Trip Walk Around Inspection
- Skills and Road Test
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
Optional Endorsements
- If you will be transporting hazardous materials, in addition to the required tests, you will need to pass the Hazardous Materials test.
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
15 Passenger Van
To drive a 15 Passenger Van in , you will need a Class C CDL.
A Class C CDL does not allow you to transport hazardous cargo that requires hazmat placards or operate a vehicle designed to transport more than 15 people.
Required Endorsements
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
Van
To drive a Van in , you will need a Class C CDL.
A Class C CDL does not allow you to transport hazardous cargo that requires hazmat placards or operate a vehicle designed to transport more than 15 people.
Required Endorsements
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
Car
To drive a Car in , you will need a Class C CDL.
A Class C CDL does not allow you to transport hazardous cargo that requires hazmat placards or operate a vehicle designed to transport more than 15 people.
Required Endorsements
Take the CDL practice tests online for the endorsements above.
OR
Take our Value Package CDL Prep Course with practice tests covering all 9 CDL Endorsements.
To operate a commercial vehicle in one of the following classifications, you must have an Connecticut CDL Endorsement.
Class A License - Combination Vehicles. Any combination of vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001
or more pounds falls in Class A, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of
10,000 pounds.
Class B License - Heavy Straight Vehicles. Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle
towing another vehicle of no more than 10,000 pounds GVWR, falls in Class B.
Class C License - Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials, that do not meet the criteria for Class A or B above fall under this classification.
About the CDL Knowledge Tests
The general knowledge test, which must be taken by all CDL applicants, consists of 30 questions (you can get no more than six incorrect). Each endorsement test includes 10 questions (you can get no more than two incorrect).
An applicant must pass the general knowledge test before a skills test can be scheduled. Skills tests are made by appointment only.
Skills Tests
An operator is required to take a skills test if he/she currently holds a:
- non-commercial license and wishes to obtain a CDL.
- CDL "C" and wishes to obtain a CDL "B" or "A".
- CDL "B" and wishes to obtain a CDL "A".
- CDL and wishes to obtain a "P" Endorsement.
- CDL and wishes to remove an "Air Brake Restriction".
You will be evaluated on the following items:
- Pre-trip Inspection
- Static Course
- On the Road Test
Failure of any part of the skills test will result in a failure of the entire skills test. If you fail you will be required to go back to the office where you took your knowledge/endorsement tests and pay $30 to take the test again. There is a minimum seven-day waiting period between skills tests.
What Are The Other Requirements For A CDL?
Applicants must:
- be at least 18 years of age.
- be at least 21 years of age to haul hazardous materials.
- be at least 21 years of age to drive interstate.
- carry a medical certificate stating he/she meets the federally mandated minimum physical requirements necessary to operate such motor vehicle.
The main physical requirements include good hearing, 20/40 vision with or without glasses or corrective lenses, and a 70-degree field of vision in each eye. Drivers must not be colorblind.
What Should I Bring To The Department Of Motor Vehicles?
- Your Connecticut driver license and all other driver licenses issued to you by any state.
- Your Social Security card (laminated or metal cards are not acceptable) or your most recent W-2 form.
- A recent passport size color photograph of yourself without a hat (Applicant must provide photo which must be no smaller than 1 1/4" x 1 3/4" and no larger than 2 1/2" x 3 1/4").
Note: If you are not a citizen of the United States, you will be required to show proof of your legal status in this country.
What Fees Will I Have To Pay?
General Knowledge Test: $16
Endorsement Tests (each): $5
Skills Test: $30
CDIP, New: $10
CDIP, Modify: No Fee
CDL, Upgrade: $17
CDL, Modify: No Fee
Where Can I Get More Information?
To download the Connecticut CDL Manual: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=837&Q=245446&dmvPNavCtr=|28069|&dmvPNavCtr=|41639|41650|#28279
For federal requirements for a CDL: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyprogs/cdl.htm
For medical requirements: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/391.43.htm
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.ct.gov/dmv/site/default.asp
Connecticut Department of Transportation: http://www.ct.gov/dot/site/default.asp
