Commercial Driver License

Frequently Asked Questions

To determine if a CDL is required, the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicles must be determined.

• Class A CDL – Required to operate a combination vehicle (truck and trailer) if the GVWR of the trailer is 10,001 pounds or more, and when added to the GVWR of the power unit (truck), the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is over 26,001 pounds.
• Class B CDL – Required to operate any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pound or more. A trailer may be towed if the GVWR of the trailer is 10,000 pounds or less.
• Class C CDL – Required to operate any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less, if the vehicle is required to be placarded to transport Hazardous Materials or transports 16 or more passengers, including the driver. (Must also have a P-Passenger or H-Hazmat endorsement to obtain a Class C.)

First study the Commercial Driver License Manual (available online or at any MVD office). You will need to have a physical examination, which can be given by any licensed physician. If your doctor does not have the D.O.T. Medical Examination Report, form # 40-1501, it is also available online or at any MVD office. After having the physical examination, you may then go into any MVD office for the written examinations (see #3 below).

You must bring your social security card.

After successful completion of the written examinations, an instructional permit is issued for you to learn how to drive a commercial motor vehicle. This permit is valid for six months. When you return to apply for your license, you will be required to take a road test in the type of vehicle representative of the class of license for which you are applying.

• Proof of having held a driver license for at least one year. (Proof may be a current driver license or a motor vehicle report from another state.)
• An Arizona driver license (If coming from out of state, a 5-year, limited Arizona driver license must be issued at the time of application and the out-of-state license cancelled.)
• Correctly completed D.O.T. Medical Examination Report, form # 40-1501 (available online or at any MVD office)
• Your social security card

• $25.00 for a Class A or B
• $12.50 for a Class C
• $10.00 for each endorsement you require (Hazmat, Tanker, Doubles/Triples or Passenger). Please see the HazMat Background Check FAQs for additional fees.
• $7.00 for a motorcycle endorsement

MVD does not provide vehicles. If you do not have access to a vehicle, contact MVD’s Third Party Program at (602) 712-4700 for a list of contract agents authorized to give the road test using their vehicle.

No. The three-year testing requirement is a federal regulation for employers transporting HazMat to test their drivers every three years.

The Arizona HazMat test is required only when applying for an original CDL, when adding the “H” endorsement to an existing CDL; when renewing a CDL; or when transferring an out of state CDL to Arizona and you wish to retain the “H” endorsement. (Please see the HazMat Background Check FAQs for additional information.)

Pay a renewal fee of $15.00 for a Class A or Class B or $10.00 for a Class C. If you have an “H” endorsement and wish to keep it, the HazMat written test must be retaken. There is an additional fee of $10.00 for this test. In addition to the written test, the Transportation Security Administration must notify MVD that you have successfully completed your Background Records Check (Threat Assessment). (Please see the HazMat Background Check FAQs for additional information.) Unless a new endorsement is added at this time, no other test is required. A copy of a current DOT physical examination form must be submitted, and a vision-screening test is administered at the MVD office.

Pay a reinstatement fee of $30.00 ($10.00 for the suspension and $20.00 for the revocation); $10.00 for a Limited Class D Operator License; the cost of an original CDL instruction permit (A & B - $25.00; C - $12.50) plus $10.00 for each endorsement.

Take the appropriate CDL written tests.

A limited Class D operator license is issued and if the CDL written tests are passed, the appropriate class CDL instruction permit is issued.

Skills tests are required for certain endorsements, see #9. If tested by the MVD the fee is $25.00 for a Class A or B skill test and $12.50 for a Class C. Payment of this fee entitles you to three attempts to pass the CDL Skill Tests.

For reinstatement fees: Payment may be made by cash, cashier's check or money order. Some offices accept credit cards. Cash and credit card not accepted by mail. No personal checks accepted.

A new HazMat (HME) background check will be required if the applicant is not reinstated within a year of a suspension or revocation.

A road/skills test is required:

• To apply for a CDL for the first time
• To apply to upgrade an existing CDL, such as going from a C to a B, or a B to an A
• To apply for an endorsement that requires a separate road/skills test such as in the case of a motorcycle, passenger vehicle and/or school bus.
• To remove an L (air brake) restriction from an existing CDL
• When there is cause to believe an applicant is non-compliant with medical standards and requirements
• Where the driving privilege has been suspended, canceled or revoked for more than one year

However, a road/skills test may be required at anytime you apply for a license or endorsement.

The fee for a road/skills test is:

• $25 for a Class A or B
• $12.50 for a Class C
• $5.00 for a Passenger/Bus endorsement (when adding to an existing CDL)