Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Requirements are the federal standards in 49 CFR Part 383 that decide who needs a CDL, how states test and license commercial drivers, and when a driver loses the privilege to drive. The rules come from the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, which ended the practice of drivers holding licenses from several states to spread out violations. The goal is to keep drivers of the largest and most hazardous vehicles tested, licensed in one state and off the road after serious offenses.
Part 383 applies to drivers, to states and to employers. Motor carriers have their own duties: they may not let a driver operate without the right license class and endorsements, and they must act on the conviction and suspension notices drivers are required to give them.
What Is 49 CFR Part 383?
49 CFR Part 383, Commercial Driver's License Standards; Requirements and Penalties, covers the single-license rule, employer duties, disqualifications, testing, vehicle groups and endorsements. States issue the licenses, but they must follow Part 383 and the state compliance rules in Part 384.
For CDL purposes, section 383.5 defines a commercial motor vehicle more narrowly than the general FMCSA definition. A vehicle requires a CDL if it falls into one of three groups:
- Group A (combination vehicle): a gross combination weight rating or weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, when the towed unit or units have a rating or weight of more than 10,000 pounds
- Group B (heavy straight vehicle): a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or weight of 26,001 pounds or more
- Group C (small vehicle): a vehicle that does not meet Group A or B but is designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is used to transport hazardous materials as defined in Part 383
Who Must Comply?
Part 383 applies to every person who operates a CMV in interstate, foreign or intrastate commerce, to their employers and to all states. It covers intrastate drivers too.
Exceptions
- Military: states must exempt people operating CMVs for military purposes, including active duty personnel, reserves and National Guard members on active duty.
- Optional state exemptions: states may exempt farmers operating within 150 miles of the farm under specific conditions, firefighters and emergency vehicle operators, and certain snow and ice removal drivers employed by local governments.
- Restricted CDLs: states may issue restricted licenses to some farm-related service industry drivers (seasonal, up to 210 days per year), seasonal pyrotechnic drivers and certain Alaska drivers.
- Covered farm vehicles: drivers of covered farm vehicles as defined in 390.5 are not subject to Part 383.
Exemptions are optional, so check each licensing state.
Key Requirements
One license only (383.21)
A driver may hold only one driver's license at a time. Holding a CDL from more than one state is prohibited, and it is a violation for an employer to knowingly use such a driver.
Commercial learner's permit (383.25)
A commercial learner's permit (CLP) allows behind-the-wheel training on public roads only when a CDL holder with the proper class and endorsements is in the front seat supervising. Key rules:
- The applicant must be at least 18 and pass the general knowledge test.
- Only passenger (P), school bus (S) and tank vehicle (N) endorsements may appear on a CLP, each with restrictions. A CLP holder may not haul hazardous materials.
- A CLP is valid for no more than one year from initial issuance without retaking the knowledge tests.
- The holder may not take the CDL skills test within 14 days after the CLP is first issued.
Applying for a CDL (383.71)
Applicants must pass knowledge and skills tests in a representative vehicle, list every state where they held a license in the previous 10 years and prove citizenship, lawful permanent residency or eligibility for a non-domiciled license. They must also certify one of four types of operation: non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate or excepted intrastate. Drivers who certify non-excepted interstate must be medically certified under Part 391. First-time Class A and B applicants, Class B holders upgrading to Class A, and first-time P, S and H endorsement applicants must complete entry-level driver training before testing.
Endorsements and restrictions (383.93 and 383.95)
Endorsements are required for double or triple trailers (T), passenger vehicles (P), tank vehicles (N), hazardous materials (H) and school buses (S). P and S require both knowledge and skills tests. The H endorsement also requires a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment. States also add restrictions based on the vehicle used for the skills test, such as air brake or transmission restrictions.
Non-domiciled CDLs
States may issue non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs to some drivers who are not domiciled in the state. An FMCSA final rule effective March 16, 2026 limits eligibility for foreign-domiciled applicants to holders of H-2A, H-2B or E-2 nonimmigrant status, requires states to verify status through the federal SAVE system and caps validity at the earlier of the immigration document's expiration or one year. On May 5, 2026, the D.C. Circuit denied a stay, so the rule remained in effect while the challenge continued.
Driver Notifications and Employer Responsibilities
What drivers must report
- Convictions (383.31): a CDL holder convicted of any traffic violation, other than parking, in any type of vehicle must notify the employer in writing within 30 days of the conviction.
- Suspensions and disqualifications (383.33): a driver whose license is suspended, revoked or canceled, or who is disqualified, must tell the employer before the end of the business day after receiving notice.
- Employment history (383.35): applicants must give a prospective employer their CMV employment history for the previous 10 years.
What employers may not do (383.37)
An employer may not allow or require a driver to operate a CMV if the employer knows, or should reasonably know, that the driver:
- Lacks a current CLP or CDL, the right class or endorsements, or is violating a license restriction
- Is disqualified or has had the license suspended, revoked or canceled
- Holds more than one license
- Is subject to an out-of-service order, or the vehicle or carrier is
- Would violate a railroad-highway grade crossing law
The "should reasonably know" standard is one reason carriers review MVRs at hire and at least annually under Part 391.
Disqualifications (383.51)
Section 383.51 sets minimum disqualification periods that states must impose:
- Major offenses: driving under the influence, 0.04 alcohol concentration or higher in a CMV, refusing a test, leaving the scene of an accident, using a vehicle in a felony, driving a CMV while disqualified and causing a fatality through negligent CMV operation. A first conviction means 1 year, or 3 years if transporting placarded hazardous materials. A second conviction means lifetime disqualification, with possible reinstatement after 10 years.
- Lifetime with no reinstatement: using a vehicle in a felony involving controlled substance manufacturing or distribution, or severe human trafficking.
- Serious traffic violations: speeding 15 mph or more over the limit, reckless driving, improper lane changes, following too closely, a violation connected to a fatal crash, driving without a CDL or the right class or endorsements, texting and hand-held phone use. A second conviction within 3 years means 60 days. A third means 120 days.
- Railroad crossing offenses: at least 60 days for a first conviction, 120 days for a second within 3 years and 1 year for a third.
- Out-of-service order violations: 180 days to 1 year for a first conviction, longer for repeat offenses or hazmat and passenger vehicles.
Common Violations and Penalties
- Using a driver with a suspended, expired or wrong-class license
- Hauling placarded hazmat, tankers or doubles without the matching endorsement
- Letting a CLP holder drive without a qualified CDL holder in the front seat
Section 383.53 sets separate civil penalties for drivers and for employers. FMCSA adjusts maximums for inflation each year. See FMCSA's civil penalties page for how cases are resolved.
How to Comply: Step by Step
- Map vehicles to license needs. Record the group and endorsements each vehicle and load requires.
- Verify licenses at hire. Check class, endorsements, restrictions and expiration against the MVR, and collect the 10-year employment history.
- Confirm medical status and self-certification. Make sure the driver's record shows the correct operation type and current medical certification.
- Collect conviction notices. Give drivers a simple way to report convictions and suspensions within the required deadlines.
- Monitor records. Review MVRs at least annually and consider enrolling in a continuous monitoring program.
- Track expirations. Calendar license, hazmat endorsement and non-domiciled CDL expiration dates.
How SMS360 Helps
The SMS360 Driver Qualification Files module lets fleets record each driver's license class, endorsements and expiration dates alongside the rest of the driver qualification file. Reminders flag licenses and endorsements before they expire, and stored MVRs and conviction notices give managers one place to review a driver's status. Regular internal audits help confirm nothing has lapsed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size vehicle requires a CDL?
A CDL is required for a single vehicle rated at 26,001 pounds or more, a combination rated at 26,001 pounds or more towing a unit rated over 10,000 pounds, a vehicle designed for 16 or more passengers including the driver, or a vehicle carrying placarded hazardous materials.
How long does a driver have to report a ticket to the employer?
A CDL holder must notify the employer in writing within 30 days of being convicted of any traffic violation other than parking, in any vehicle. A license suspension, revocation or disqualification must be reported before the end of the next business day after the driver receives notice.
Can a CLP holder drive alone?
No. A CLP holder may drive a CMV only with a CDL holder who has the proper class and endorsements seated beside them, or for passenger vehicles directly behind or in the first row behind the driver. The CDL holder must directly supervise the CLP holder at all times.
Which CDL offenses lead to lifetime disqualification?
A second conviction for any major offense, such as DUI or leaving the scene of an accident, results in lifetime disqualification, with possible reinstatement after 10 years. Using a CMV in a felony involving controlled substance distribution or severe human trafficking brings lifetime disqualification with no reinstatement.
