Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL)

Important updates on federal medical certification waivers can be found at Medical Certification Requirements.

Federal hazardous material requirements have been extended by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Individuals with a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) that expired March 1, 2020 or later have additional time to be fingerprinted to complete the background check required for TSA's security threat assessment. Individuals whose HME expired prior to March 1, 2020 are not granted additional time to meet TSA requirements. For more information, please visit the Federal Register.

DMV and TSA continue to process hazardous material endorsement (HME) applications. Every effort is being made to maintain normal processing, but please understand that delays may occur.

All licenses, including CDLs, with an expiration date of March 1, 2020 or later will be extended during the state of emergency.

Important information for stretch limo drivers

NYS commercial driver’s license standards require drivers of stretch limousines which carry nine (9) or more passengers including the driver to hold, at a minimum, a CDL Class C license, with a Passenger (P) endorsement.

NOTE: A road test is required to obtain the minimum class license.

Learn about commercial learner permit and driver license changes.

See information about covered farm vehicles.

Get a CDL for the first time

A commercial driver license is required to operate large or heavy vehicles. This includes, but is not limited to, dump trucks, tractor trailers, buses, and stretch limos.

If you already have a CDL

You can

Medical certification

Federal regulations require that every commercial driver certify to the type of commercial driving they perform.

Department of Motor Vehicles