Tennessee CDL Test Requirements and CDL Endorsement Test Info
Do I Need A Commercial Driver License?
If you live in Tennessee and drive a Class A, B or C commercial vehicle, you must have a Tennessee 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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
The CDL Value Package offers more at a better deal! Find out more.
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
The CDL Value Package offers more at a better deal! Find out more.
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
The CDL Value Package offers more at a better deal! Find out more.
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 a Tennessee CDL Endorsement.
CLASS A - This classification applies only to "combination" vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) exceeding 26,000 pounds, provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.
CLASS B - This class includes single or combination vehicles where the GVWR of the single vehicle exceeds 26,000 pounds. The vehicle in tow must not exceed 10,000 pounds.
CLASS C - 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
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?
Bring your current driver license, a Department of Transportation Physical Examination Form, and your social security card.
Where Can I Get More Information?
For federal requirements for a CDL: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/cdl/cdl.htm
For medical requirements: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/medical.htm
Tennessee Department of Safety: http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/tndlr/
Tennessee Department of Transportation: http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/
