Commercial Driver Licensing
General Information Top ↑
You must visit a CDL office for all commercial license transactions except
for filing an updated Medical Examination Certificate.
A Commercial Driver License (CDL) is required to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
A commercial motor vehicle is a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:
- Has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; or
- Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
- Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require placarding.
Age Requirements
- You must be at least 21 years of age to be issued a CDL to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce and to receive endorsements for passengers or hazardous materials.
- You must be at least 25 to receive an endorsement for vehicle combinations over 70 feet in length.
- CDLs issued to applicants age 18 to 20 will contain Restriction R (no passengers or hazmat) and Restriction 2 (intrastate commerce only).
How to Apply
- You must list all states where you have held any commercial or non-commercial driver's license in the past ten years. We will check your driving history in each state.
- You must meet the Residency & Proof of Identity requirements if you have never had commercial driving privileges in Nevada.
- You must self-certify the type of driving you do and, if needed, submit a Medical Examiner's Certificate. See CDL Self-Certification. Your employer may require a physical even if the state does not.
- If a physical is required, you must obtain it from a physician listed in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
- All applicants must complete an Application for Commercial Driving Privileges (CDL 002):
English | Spanish | Tagalog
Residency & Proof of Identity Top ↑
You must present Proof of Identity, Social Security Number and Proof of Nevada Residency if you have never had commercial driving privileges in Nevada or if you are upgrading your existing CDL to a Real ID.
You must present all of the following:
- one document for proof of identity AND
- if you have changed your name, proof of all name change(s) AND
- one document for proof of Social Security number AND
- two documents to prove your Nevada residential address AND
- a completed Application for Commercial Driving Privileges (CDL 002):
English | Spanish | Tagalog
Documents must be valid originals or certified copies that were issued in the United States (except foreign passports). The DMV does not accept photocopies. Documents presented will be scanned and stored.
| Proof of Identity |
|---|
All Applicants
Applicants Born in the U.S.
Applicants Born Outside the U.S.
See Additional Information below if you cannot meet these requirements. Veterans - Honorably-discharged U.S. military veterans may have a Veteran designation placed on their license or ID. Present your DD-214 or other evidence of honorable discharge. |
| Proof of Name Change(s) |
If your document from the list above contains your current full legal name, you do not need to provide proof of any name change. Skip this section. If not, you must present documentation of any name change(s) with one of the following:
In a case of multiple name changes, you will be asked for marriage certificates or other proof of each change. Divorce decrees must reference the maiden name or former name before marriage. Upon the death of your spouse, you may change your middle and last names back to the names used prior to your marriage. You must present both the death and marriage certificates and the deceased person's name must match on both. An updated Social Security card is not sufficient proof of a name change. |
| Social Security Number |
You must provide proof of your Social Security number if one has been issued to you. Documents must list the complete Social Security number.
See Documents You Need for a Social Security card on the SSA website if you do not have proof of your number. |
| Additional Information |
To apply for U.S. issued proof of identity documents such as birth or marriage certificates, contact the state or county Vital Statistics Office the document was issued. A list is available from the National Center for Health Statistics. You may also use www.vitalchek.com or a similar commercial service. The DMV does not accept:
|
Proof of Nevada Residency Top ↑
You must present two of the following documents for any original Nevada Commercial Learner's Permit or Commercial Driver's License.
Commercial Learner Permits Top ↑
Nevada issues Commercial Learner Permits (CLP) that are valid for 180 days. Nevada does not issue "Non-Domiciled" CLPs to residents of other U.S. jurisdictions.
You must obtain a CLP if:
- this is an initial issuance of a CDL
- you are upgrading a CDL to a higher class, adding an endorsement or removing a restriction that requires a skills test and the upgrade requires a skills test
- your CDL privileges have been invalid for more than 4 years
Here are the requirements for a commercial learner's permit:
- You must hold a valid Nevada non-commercial or commercial driver's license.
- You must present proof of identity and lawful status in the U.S. See Proof of Identity above.
- You must certify the type of driving you will do. See Self-Certification.
- If you certify you are a non-excepted driver, you must present a valid Medical Examination Card.
- You must pass all of the required knowledge tests for your license class and endorsements.
- Interpreters are not allowed for testing.
- You must complete an Application for Commercial Driving Privileges (CDL 002):
English | Spanish | Tagalog - Fees are $58.25.
A CLP may have only the following endorsements. No others may be listed.
- Passenger (P). The P restriction must be added.
- School Bus (S). The P restriction must be added.
- Tanker (N). The X restriction must be added.
All other endorsements are added to the CDL once you pass the appropriate knowledge test.
For more information on school buses, see Section 10 of the CDL Handbook.
If you wish to change vehicle class, endorsements or restrictions that require a skills test, you must obtain a new CLP and all CLP rules start over.
CLP Expiration and Renewal
A Commercial Learner's Permit is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. Permits can be renewed, but you may have to retake tests.
Plan ahead and avoid these pitfalls:
- If you renew your CLP, you will need to retake all CDL skills tests even if you have passed one or more portions. Skills tests may not be banked.
- If your CLP is expired for more than 30 days, you must retake all knowledge tests.
- If you renew your CLP a second time, you must retake all knowledge tests.
Driving with a CLP
You may drive only under the direct supervision of a CDL holder who:
- Is at least 25 years of age
- Has been issued a CDL for the proper class and endorsements necessary for the type of vehicle being operated
- Has had at least 1 year of licensed commercial driving experience in the class and endorsement necessary for the type of vehicle for which the CLP was issued
- Must at all times be physically present in the front seat of the vehicle next to the CLP holder, or in the case of a passenger vehicle, directly behind or in the first row behind the driver
A CLP holder with a (N) tanker endorsement may only operate an empty tank vehicle and is prohibited from operating any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials that has not been purged of any residue.
See Commercial Driving Schools for a list of licensed private schools.
Skills Testing
You must hold a CLP for at least 14 days prior to any skills test. If your testing will be done by a Third Party Certifier, it must be scheduled at least four days in advance. Interpreters are not allowed during skills testing.
- DMV skills tests are administered only by appointment at CDL Offices.
- A number of larger companies and organizations employ Third-Party Certifiers to test their employees.
- Some commercial driving schools employ Third Party Certifiers.
The fee to complete a CLP and issue a CDL is $58.25.
CLP Out-of-State Issues and Answers
- Nevada CLP holders may complete their skills tests in another state.
- Out-of-state CLP holders may not be skills tested in Nevada.
- Nevada does not issue "Non-Domiciled" CLPs.
Handbooks & Forms Top ↑
- Commercial Driver License Handbook (DMV 702)
- Commercial Driver License Information (CDL 051)
- Application for Commercial Driving Privileges (CDL 002):
English | Spanish | Tagalog - Medical Examiner's Certificate (MCSA-5876)
Medical Examination Report (MCSA-5875) - 9 pages
- CDL Certification for Waiver of Skills Tests (CDL 004)
For active-duty military members, National Guard, reserves or qualified veterans only. - Commercial Medical Waiver Application and Medical Evaluation (CDL 042)
- Notification of Conviction (CDL 05)
- Hazardous Materials Handbook
See also Hazardous Materials Endorsements.
Third Party Companies & Schools
- Third Party Certification General Information (CDL 040)
Requirements for private firms to become a third party CDL certifier. - Third Party Company or School Application (CDL 025)
To apply for or renew a firm's status as a third party CDL certifier. - Third Party Company or School Agreement (CDL 026)
Conditions third party CDL certifiers must adhere to. - Third Party Company or School Vehicle Inspection (CDL 048)
To certify the safety of vehicles. - CSTIMS User Agreement (CDL 052)
Conditions for entering and accessing test results. - CSTIMS Privacy Policy (CDL 053)
National guidelines. - CDL Third Party Change Notice (CDL 024)
To change address, drop certification or delete a certifier. - CDL Third Party Company and School Renewal Application (CDL 038)
To renew authorization.
Third Party Certifiers
- Third Party Certifier Application (CDL 028)
To apply for or renew a driving school's status as a third party CDL certifier. - Third Party Certifier Agreement (CDL 050)
Conditions third party driving schools must adhere to. - CSTIMS User Agreement (CDL 052)
Conditions for entering and accessing test results. - CSTIMS Privacy Policy (CDL 053)
National guidelines.
CDL Offices Top ↑
For general questions on commercial licensing, send an email or call one of our main numbers:
| Las Vegas area | (702) 486-4368 option 1 |
| Reno/Sparks/Carson City | (775) 684-4368 option 1 |
| Elsewhere in Nevada | (877) 368-7828 option 1 |
Call the office directly at the numbers below to schedule a skills test.
Do not visit a DMV full service office for CDL transactions.
Skills Test Appointments
Use the office phone numbers below only to schedule a driving skills test. You must pass any required knowledge test before scheduling a skills test. See Fees for fee information.
Carson City |
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Elko |
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North Las Vegas |
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Sparks |
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Winnemucca |
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DUI Revocation/Suspension Rules Top ↑
According to federal regulation 49 CFR 383.51, upon receipt of a DUI conviction, a Commercial Driver License will be suspended for one full year (three full years if carrying hazardous materials) for a first offense and for life upon a second or subsequent offense.
A commercial license has two parts: a commercial side (CDL) and a non-commercial side (NCDL). When a driver’s NCDL is revoked or suspended, the CDL is also affected. If he is convicted of a first DUI offense by the court, his NCDL will be revoked for 90 days and his CDL privilege will be suspended for at least one year.
Between the time when a person is arrested for a possible DUI and when he is convicted of DUI by a court of law, there may be a period of time when his license will be revoked. When the court convicts him of the DUI, the commercial side of his license must be suspended for at least one full year. The non-commercial side of his license must also be revoked. However, the number of days he already went without a license can be applied to the end of his non-commercial license penalty period. This would allow him to shorten his 90-day NCDL penalty period by the number of days he is credited. His CDL will still remain suspended for at least one full year.
For example, if a conviction is received for a CDL holder or any individual who was driving a commercial motor vehicle, his CDL will be suspended and his NCDL will be revoked. If the individual went without his license for, say, five weeks, that five weeks may be credited to his NCDL penalty period. He may apply for reinstatement of his NCDL five weeks sooner than the end of his 90-day penalty period. however, No credit will be applied to the 1-year CDL suspension.