Florida CDL Test Requirements and CDL Endorsement Test Info
Do I Need A Commercial Driver License?
If you live in Florida and drive a Class A, B or C commercial vehicle, you must have an Florida 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
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
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
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 Florida CDL Endorsement.
CLASS A - Any Tractor/Trailer combination that has a GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 LBS.
CLASS B - Any single motor vehicle that has a GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 LBS. or less.
CLASS C - Any motor vehicle that has a GVWR of less than 26,001 LBS. when endorsements "H" or "P" would be required on the driver license OR any combination of motor vehicles where the towing vehicle is less than 26,001 LBS. GVWR and the towed vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 LBS. or less, but together they weigh 26,001 LBS. or more.
The following persons are exempt from the requirements to obtain a commercial driver license:
- Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles that are equipped with extraordinary audible warning devices that display red or blue lights and are on call to respond to emergencies
- Military personnel driving military vehicles
- Farmers transporting farm supplies or farm machinery, or transporting agricultural products to or from the first place of storage or processing or directly to or from market, within 150 miles of their farm
- Drivers of recreational vehicles used for recreational purposes
- Drivers who operate straight trucks (single units) that are exclusively transporting their own tangible personal property that is not for sale
- An employee of a publicly owned transit system who is limited to moving ehicles for maintenance or parking purposes exclusively within the restricted-access confines of a transit system's property.
About the CDL Knowledge Tests
You will have to take one or more knowledge tests, depending on what class of license and what endorsements you need. All CDL applicants must take the general knowledge test. The table below will tell you what additional tests you must take, if any.
| Test Name |
Take If... |
| Passenger Transport |
...you want to drive a bus |
| Air Brakes |
...your vehicle has air brakes |
| Combination Vehicles |
...you want to drive combination vehicles |
| Hazardous Materials |
...you want to haul hazardous material or waste in amounts which require placarding |
| Tankers |
...you want to haul liquids in bulk |
| Doubles/Triples |
...you want to pull double or triple trailers |
Skills Tests
If you pass the required knowledge test(s), you can take the CDL skills tests. There are three types of general skills that will be tested: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.
- Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.
- Basic Vehicle Control: You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area. These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done.
- On-road Test: You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railway crossings, curves, up and down grades, and single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive.
What Are The Other Requirements For A CDL?
The minimum age is 18. Drivers under 21 years of age are restricted to intrastate operation only.
The applicant’s vision must be at least 20/40 in each eye. Corrective lenses may be worn. The applicant must be able to hear a whisper.
What Fees Will I Have To Pay?
Fees are as follows:
Commercial Driver License: $50.00
Endorsements: $5.00
Written Examination Re-Test Fee: $5.00
Skill/Driving Examination Re-Test Fee: $10.00
Where Can I Get More Information?
To view the Florida CDL Manual online: DMV Handbooks
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
Florida Department of Motor Vehicles: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.state.fl.us
