Louisiana CDL Test Requirements and CDL Endorsement Test Info
Do I Need A Commercial Driver License?
If you live in Louisiana and drive a Class A, B or C commercial vehicle, you must have an Louisiana 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 Louisiana CDL Endorsement.
- Class A (Combination vehicles) – Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000. NOTE: If the vehicle being towed has a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more, Class A is required. However, you will be required to test in a combination that has a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more.
- Class B (Heavy Straight vehicles) – Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more OR any such vehicle towing a trailer/vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Class C (Small vehicles) - Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles (that meets neither the definition of Class A or Class B) but that is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver OR is used.
NOTE: A vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in excess of 10,000 pounds but less than 26,001 pounds may require a Class D Chauffeur's license.
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?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require drivers to pass a physical examination once every 2 years. 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?
Visit a full service CDL issuing office with the following items:
- Your current, valid driver's license
- Your social security card or letter from SSA specifying your SSN
- Your completed, long form physical with medical examiners certificate
- Proof of insurance on your personal vehicles
- $15 CASH for the application fee
Note: You have 6 months from the day you pay your $15 application fee to have all of your written tests completed, your skills test completed and the license issued. Failure to do so will result in a forfeiture of the application fee and your tests will be considered expired.
What Fees Will I Have To Pay?
The costs may vary slightly.
- A CDL physical is required (fee set by the medical examiner).
- $15 application fee.
- Third Party Skills test is $60 (if you provide the vehicle). NOTE: Cost for rental of a vehicle, discretion of the Tester/Examiner.
- License fee - $41 ($51 if you reside in Orleans Parish).
- Additional endorsements - $5 each, except for motorcycle which is $8.
- Applicable parish fee - not to exceed $3.
Where Can I Get More Information?
To download the Louisiana CDL Manual: http://www.dps.state.la.us/omv/driversguide.html
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
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles: http://omv.dps.state.la.us/
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development: http://www.dotd.state.la.us/
