Commercial Driver's License
An Indiana Commercial Driver's License (CDL) allows the holder to operate commercial motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles with declared gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 26,000 pounds; vehicles designed or used to transport 16 or more people, including the driver; and vehicles used to transport hazardous materials.
In general, CDL requirements are stricter than for any other Indiana driver's license and are based upon stringent federal motor carrier safety regulations. To get a CDL you must be at least 18 years old, if you will be transporting property within state lines, or at least 21 years old if you will be transporting people. You must have held a valid driver's license, chauffeur's license, or public passenger chauffeur's license for at least one year. You must also hold a CDL learner's permit.
Getting a Commercial Driver's License
Knowledge Examination and Skills Testing
To get a CDL in Indiana, you must pass a knowledge examination and a driving skills test in a vehicle representative of the class of CDL that you will receive. The driving skills test must be taken at an approved test site and consists of a pre-trip inspection test, a basic control skills test, and the road trip test. Approved test sites electronically transmit the skills test results to the BMV to increase security and accuracy.
Physical examination
Before applying for your first CDL in Indiana, you must provide a valid United States Department of Transportation physical examination form. To keep your CDL valid, you must pass a new physical examination prior to the expiration of your current physical.
If you have questions regarding your physical or want to know the status of your physical, please contact the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 888-692-6841.
For medical information and federal applications, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. There is information on a variety of medical topics, such as the insulin or vision exemption and skills performance evaluation.
Documents of identification
You must be either a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident to apply for a CDL, per 49 CFR 383.71. For further information on this requirement, please visit Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
When you apply for a CDL you must present documents of identification proving your identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and Indiana residency.
Truck Driver Training Schools
The BMV licenses driver education providers for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation. These truck driver training schools assist individuals by teaching the safe and proper way of operating a CMV.
Transferring a CDL From Out of State
The BMV will conduct a driver record search using the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) for all CDL holders transferring to Indiana from another state. If your CDLIS Pointer (Driver History) from your prior state of record is not available, or your CDLIS Pointer is incomplete, there will be a delay in processing your application for a CDL in the State of Indiana.
The BMV will contact the licensing officials in the state(s) where the license was previously held to complete this process. When the BMV has received the required information, the applicant will be contacted by the BMV to return to the license branch to complete processing.
Renewing or Replacing a CDL
A CDL issued in Indiana is valid for four years. You may renew your CDL at any Indiana license branch up to one year before the license expires.
To replace a CDL, you will need to visit any Indiana license branch and present certain documents of identification.
Re-Applying For a CDL
If you voluntarily surrender or relinquish your CDL and would like to re-apply for commercial driving privileges after one year, you must obtain a CDL learner's permit, pass all necessary knowledge tests and driving skills tests, and provide a valid United States Department of Transportation physical, unless a valid physical is already on file.
Military CDL Skills Waiver Program
The BMV may waive the required drive skills test for select veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces with specific drive training and were truck drivers during their military service when they apply for an Indiana Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
