California CDL Requirements – How do I get the License?

Ricky

27 October, 2021

Find out below all about the California CDL requirements. What papers do I need? Where to go? And more…

To drive commercial vehicles in California, as it happens throughout the United States, it is necessary to obtain the CDL (Commercial Driver License).

Since 1986, the state’s traffic has been governed by the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which aims to establish common conditions for commercial drivers in the United States.

See: How to be a truck driver for Walmart?

What is the CDL in California?

The CDL is a license to drive commercial vehicles, such as trucks of various sizes with different capacities, vans, or school buses.

This class of driver’s license requires a series of specific knowledge and driving skills that will be measured in different written and practical tests.

See: CDL New York Requirements – How do I get the license?

Types of CDL License in California

Within the fleet there are numerous vehicles or commercial transport machinery. For a better arrangement they are divided into classes or types.

The main variables that are taken into account for its classification are usually the weight of the vehicle alone or with a trailer, the type of materials it transports, or the passenger capacity it can move.

Class A

In this class or category are “combined” vehicles with a gross combined weight (GCWR) of more than 26,000 pounds (ca. 11,793 kg) and with a gross vehicle weight (GVWR) of the towed vehicle of more than 10,000 pounds (ca. 4,536 kg).

A driver with a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) (plus endorsement endorsements if required) can also maneuver Class B, C and D vehicles.

Ejemplos de vehículos incluidos en la Clase A:

Tractor-trailers
Livestock carriers
Tanker vehicles
Double/triple trailers
Truck/trailer combinations, and
Tractor-trailer buses

Class B

Includes individual or combination vehicles where the GVWR of the individual vehicle is more than 26,000 pounds (ca. 11,793 kg). The vehicle being towed cannot exceed 10,000 pounds (ca. 4,536 kg).

A person with a California-issued Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) (plus applicable endorsements) can also safely operate the vehicles listed in Class C or D.

Class C

Here are vehicles independently, or combination of vehicles, that do not meet the definition of Class A or Class B. Uses of these vehicles include transporting 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or for transporting hazardous materials.

See: Trucking accident lawyer – Why do you need one, and where could you find it?

California CDL Requirements

In order to obtain the commercial license, it is necessary to comply with a series of requirements that we detail below.

At least 18 years to drive within the state

21 years to drive from state to state

High School Diploma or GED (General Education Development)

California regular driver’s license for at least 1 year

Good driving record

Proof of California residency

Social security card (SSN)

Be able to show proof of insurance

10-year criminal background check

TSA screening

Pass a medical examination

Once you have all the documentation, you will need to complete a CDL license application and go to a DMV office in the state of California. Next, you must apply for the provisional driving permit (CLP) to carry out the relevant practices.

To find a California DMV office near your location, click here. At these locations you can find specific information about California CDL requirements.

See: Requisitos para CDL en California – ¿Cómo obtener la licencia?

Medical requirements for CDL

All applicants for a California CDL must schedule a physical exam. The examining doctor must be taken from the list of the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Upon successful completion of the process, you will be issued a federal medical card.

In the state of California, CDL truckers must complete an annual Medical Self-Certification Affidavit online or in person, NOT doing so is an offense that is liable to disqualification or suspension.

California CDL Requirements – CLP Conditional Permit

In a DMV office, you must make the CLP request that allows you to carry out driving practices with the machine or vehicle that you are going to operate or similar.

Fill out a Commercial Driver’s License Application

Visit a DMV office (appointments recommended)

Complete a form (DL 939) corresponding to the 10-year history check (DL 939)

Provide the completed Medical Examination Report (MER) Form (MCSA 5875) and Medical Examiner Certification Form (MEC) (MCSA 5876)

Prove your social security number (SSN)

Check identity

Proof of address in the state of California

Fingerprint scanning

Pass an eye exam

Take a picture

Pass the corresponding theoretical and practical tests

If you want a CDL REAL ID, you must provide proof of identity, SSN and residency

CDL testing in California

Applicants to obtain the California CDL will complete a minimum of a knowledge test (general and / or specific) and a driving skills test.

To prepare for the theory tests, you will need to study the Driver’s Manual.

CDL knowledge tests

In the application process, drivers must pass a basic knowledge test on road safety according to the type of class and vehicle.

CDL skills tests

Once the theoretical knowledge tests have been completed and passed, the CDL road skills tests can now be scheduled and completed. It can be freely done by doing it at a CDL office or a licensed private testing center.

Most of the tests are made up of 3 basic parts:

Vehicle inspection

Basic vehicle control and operation

Road test

How much is the CDL in California?

The total cost of each CDL license varies in the first instance depending on the different classes and their corresponding mandatory tests. The number of endorsements required for some categories is also a factor that affects the final cost.

To guide you in calculating a budget for your commercial license, we share the fees for the different instances of the process.