How much does it cost to get a Class B CDL in Florida

Getting A CDL In Florida

The official information about obtaining a Commercial Driver License from the State of Florida is at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles CDL page.

How Do You Obtain a Commercial Driver License From the State of Florida?

Qualifications to Apply: All applicants for a Commercial Driver License are required to have an Operators License and pass the vision requirements. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. If they are under 21, they will be restricted to intrastate operation only.

Conditional Learner's Permit: Before proceeding to the CDL part of the process all persons seeking a new commercial driver license must obtain a Conditional Learner's Permit. The CLP allows you to practice driving on public roads with a qualified CDL holder riding with you. To acquire one you need to:

• Possess a Florida driver's license.
• Pass the appropriate knowledge exams.
• Pass a vision test.
• Provide proof of identity and residency. This will likely be your current driver's license, but check with a Division of Driver Licenses office to be certain of what they require.
• Pass the Division of Driver Licenses medical exam.
• Submit to a driving record review. Your driving record for the past 10 years will be up for examination.
• Pay the appropriate fee.

Following satisfactory completion of all the requirements for the CLP and a 14-day waiting period you can obtain your CDL by taking the vehicle driving skills test; which comprises:

• Vehicle inspections tests.
• Basic controls testing.
• A commercial driving road test.

Go to the State of Florida CDL Skill Sites page for a list of test sites.

Classifications and Exam Requirements

Class A Exam Requirements – To operate trucks or truck combinations weighing 26,001 lbs or more, and towing a vehicle/unit over 10,000 lbs, then a Class A license is needed. The following tests are required:

• General Knowledge test
• Combinations vehicle test
• Air Brakes
• Pre-Trip
• Basic Skills
• CDL Road Test
• Applicable exams for desired endorsements

Class B Exam Requirements - To operate straight trucks and buses 26,001 lbs or more, then a Class B license is needed. The following tests are required:

• General Knowledge test
• Air Brakes (if applicable)
• Pre-Trip
• Basic Skills
• CDL Road Test
• Applicable exams for desired endorsements

Class C Exam Requirements - To operate vehicles transporting placarded amounts of hazardous materials, or vehicles designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 lbs, then a Class C license is needed. The following tests are required:

• General Knowledge test
• Air Brakes (if applicable)
• Pre-Trip
• Basic Skills
• CDL Road Test
• Applicable exams for desired endorsements

Endorsements are required for driving doubles/triples, tanks, passenger and hazardous materials.

CDL Holders Transferring to Florida From Another State

We will reciprocate an out of state or a Canadian commercial driver license. However, an out of state applicant with a hazmat endorsement will have to reapply for a hazmat endorsement, which will include background check, appropriate exams and fees.

Military Members Who Hold a Military CDL

Military or prior military customers requesting to be issued a CDL due to qualifications of experience while serving on military duty must:

• Pass all required knowledge and endorsement exams for the CDL license class and endorsements they are applying to obtain
• Present the Certification for Waiver of Skill Test for Military Personnel form completed by their commanding officer or designee while on active duty or within 90 days of separation from service

Military are now only exempt from taking the skills exams. The process must be completed and the CDL issued within 120 days of separation from service. The Certification for Waiver of Skill Test form for Military Personnel can be provided to the customer.

What You Need to Know About the Medical Certification Requirement

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require all Commercial Driver License holders to certify with the State’s Driver License Agency in one of the four categories below prior to the issuance or renewal of a CDL. Those certifying in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce (Category A or C) must also ensure their medical documentation is on file with the state issuing agency and that it remains current. Failure to present valid medical documentation, when required, will result in the denial of the issuance or renewal of the CDL. Failure to maintain current medical documentation on file may result in CDL disqualification.

• Non-excepted Interstate - I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce and am required to maintain federal medical certification. (Medical Card Required)
• Excepted Interstate - I operate or expect to operate in interstate commerce, but engage exclusively in operations that qualify me for exception from the requirement to maintain federal medical certification.
• Non-excepted Intrastate - I operate or expect to operate only in intrastate commerce and am required to meet state of Florida medical certification requirements. (Medical Card Required)
• Excepted Intrastate - I operate or expect to operate only in intrastate commerce, but engage exclusively in operations that qualify me for exception from state of Florida medical certification requirements.

CDL holders can no longer claim exemption from medical certification requirements because they are not currently operating in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce. If not specifically included in category B or D above, they must maintain their medical certification or downgrade to a non-commercial license.

Note: If you self-certify in a category exempt from medical certification requirements (Category B or D) and later change to a non-exempt type of operation (Category A or C), you must recertify in the appropriate category and provide proof of valid medical certification to avoid potential enforcement actions.

What is the Cost of Obtaining a Florida CDL?

The Division of Driver Licenses currently charges the following Florida CDL fees for commercial driver licenses and related documents:

• Commercial driver's license (original or renewal): $75.
• Endorsements: $7 each.
• Knowledge exam retest: $10.
• Skill exam retest: $20.

Florida CDL Overview