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Managing Your Commercial Driver License (CDL)

Managing Your Commercial Driver License (CDL)

Contents

Replace or Renew Your CDL

Replace Your CDL

Get a replacement CDL for $12.00 when you need to:

  • Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged CDL
  • Update your address or name
  • Update your photo
  • Convert your under-21 CDL to a regular CDL

If you believe someone is using your lost or stolen CDL, report it to your local police department as possible identity theft.

If your name changed, follow the procedures to Change Your Name.

Renew Your CDL

Arizona CDL’s are valid for a period up to 8 years. Drivers are responsible for renewing their CDL before the expiration date.

Please note that your CDL and TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA) usually have different expiration dates. You'll need to renew them separately.

Requirements

To replace or renew your CDL, you'll need two acceptable forms of identification. See CDL documentation requirements for the full list of acceptable documents.

Online

You can replace or renew your CDL online using AZ MVD Now in most cases. If you need to, first activate your account -- everyone with an Arizona driver license already has an account ready to be activated.

In Person

If an office visit is required, you can walk into any MVD office or schedule an appointment on AZ MVD Now.

If replacing or renewing in person, make sure to bring all CDL Documentation Requirements.

Limited-Term & Non-Domiciled Licenses 

To replace or renew your Limit-Term and/or Non-Domicled license, you’ll need to visit an MVD office

Renew Your Hazardous Materials Endorsement, TSA Security Threat Assessment

Your CDL and TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA) usually have different expiration dates. You'll need to renew them separately.

Renew your CDL with hazardous materials endorsement (HME)
  • Visit an MVD office to apply for CDL renewal with HME.
  • Take the HME knowledge test. You’ll have unlimited attempts to pass, with no more than one attempt per day.
Renew your TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA)

Apply with TSA at least 60 days before your current STA expires:

Once TSA approves your application, MVD will validate your HME—you don't need to return to an office. 

Important reminders

  • MVD can only issue a renewed CDL with HME if you have current TSA approval on file.
  • Make sure to keep an eye out for your HME expiration date, it will be different from your license renewal date.
  • You can sign in to AZ MVD Now to check the expiration date and status of your STA.
  • Failure to renew on time will result in cancellation of your driving privileges.

Medical Certification Requirements

All commercial motor vehicle drivers must have a physical performed by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

The Medical Examiner Certificate must be renewed every 24 months or sooner, as determined by the medical examiner or by regulation. Failure to maintain a valid Medical Examiner Certificate will result in the suspension and revocation of your CDL privileges.

  • Medical examiners will electronically submit results directly to FMCSA
  • FMCSA will forward those results to state licensing agencies (allow 24 hours for this submission to be made)
  • Drivers will no longer need to submit their own Medical Examiner Certificates

To verify the status of your Arizona medical certification sign in to your AZ MVD Now account.

Additional Requirements

If you receive a request for additional information this means you require certain restrictions to be added to your Commercial license.

Any request for restrictions to be added to your license can be done at any MVD office. A duplicate license fee will be charged.

If you do not add the required restriction in a timely manner, your CDL privilege will be downgraded.

CDL Restrictions

Restrictions may be added to CDLs/Commercial Learner's Permits based upon the type of vehicle and equipment that the driver uses for the Skills Test. 

Note: In addition to the restrictions noted below, additional jurisdictional restrictions that apply to any driving privilege may be added.

If you take the skills test in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, you’ll be restricted from operating a commercial motor vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. An automatic transmission includes any transmission not operating fully on the gear shift and clutch principle.

If you certify as Non-Excepted Intrastate or Excepted Intrastate, you will not be able operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. Arizona may add this restriction for other reasons as well.

Your CDL or permit will include an air brake restriction if you:

  • Don't take the air brake knowledge test
  • Fail the air brake knowledge test

Take your skills test in a vehicle without air brakes
This restriction means you cannot operate a commercial motor vehicle equipped with any type of air brakes.

Air brakes include any braking system that operates fully or partially on the air brake principle.

If you take your skills test in a Class B passenger vehicle, you will not be able to operate a Class A passenger vehicle.

If you take your skills test in a Class C passenger vehicle, you will not be able to operate a Class A or Class B passenger vehicle.

If you take your skills test in a Class A combination vehicle connected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection, you will not be able to operate a Class A tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel.

If you pass your skills test using a combination vehicle with a fifth wheel that is not a truck tractor semi-trailer combination, your CDL will include an "O" restriction.

If Arizona receives notification that you've been issued a medical variance, your CDL and your CDLIS driver record will include a "V" restriction code. This code indicates there is medical variance information on your CDLIS driver record.

If you take your skills test in a vehicle with air over hydraulic brakes, you cannot operate a commercial motor vehicle with a braking system that operates fully on the air brake principle.

Air over hydraulic brakes are any braking system that operates partially on the air brake principle and partially on the hydraulic brake principle.

  • If you have a CLP with a P or S endorsement, you cannot carry passengers in a commercial motor vehicle.
    You can only carry:
    • Federal or state auditors and inspectors
    • Test examiners
    • Other trainees
    • The CDL holder accompanying you

If you have a CLP with an N endorsement, you can only operate an empty tank vehicle. You cannot operate any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials unless it has been purged of all residue.

CDL Suspension and Revocation

It is against the law to operate any motor vehicle on the public roads of Arizona while your driving privilege is suspended.

Reasons for Suspension or Revocation

You may receive a suspension or revocation notice if:

  • Electronic submission of Medical Examiner Certificate not received by FMCSA
  • Restriction requirements not met
  • Did not meet medical and/or vision standards to operate a commercial motor vehicle

You maycontact Medical Review for more information on your notice.

Note: If your CDL is disqualified, cancelled, suspended or revoked for one year or more, it is considered invalid. You will be required to take all written and skills tests for a new CDL and pay all applicable licensing and reinstatement fees.

Request a Hearing

You may have the right to request a hearing on these actions; however, the request will not stop the immediate suspension. Your request must be received within 15 days from the date of the notice.

You may file a request directly with the Executive Hearing Office by:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Mail:
    Executive Hearing Office
    Arizona Department of Transportation
    Mail Drop 507M
    P.O. Box 2100
    Phoenix, AZ 85001-2100
  • Fax: 602.241.1624
  • In person:
    Executive Hearing Office
    3838 N. Central Ave., Suite 300
    Phoenix, AZ 85012

The request must include your: 

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • License number
  • Mailing address
  • Home and business phones
  • Case number 

Upon receipt of your written request, a hearing may be scheduled and you will be notified of the date, time and location.

CDL/CLP Cancellation

Your CDL or permit may be canceled for any of the reasons listed below. MVD may determine other additional reasons to cancel your license or permit.

  • Failing to give correct information on the application
  • Applying while your license/driving privilege is disqualified, suspended, revoked or canceled in Arizona or another state
  • Falsely stating your age as 21 or over
  • Not meeting the medical requirements
  • Unpaid fees, taxes or assessments to MVD

Don't want to keep your CDL?

Visit an MVD office to downgrade to a Class D operator license or Class M motorcycle license before your current medical certification expires. This helps you avoid suspension or revocation of your driving privileges, which may impact transferring your license to other states. Application fees apply.

Fees for CDL Holders

Renewal Fees

  • Class A or B: $15.00 (or $25 for Travel ID)
  • Class C: $10.00 (or $25 for Travel ID)
  • HME: $10.00 (includes required knowledge test)

Duplicate

  • $12.00

Other Fees

  • Motor Vehicle Record, 39-Month: $3.00
  • Motor Vehicle Record, Certified 5-Year or 10-Year: $5.00
  • Abandoned Vehicle Fee: $500.00
  • Abandoned Vehicle Fee (on federal land): $600.00
  • Returned Check Fee: $25.00

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