In order to obtain a commercial driver s license cdl, an applicant must pass both skills and knowledge testing geared to. Commercial drivers license illinois secretary of state. Most states dont require a special license to drive an rv, camper or motorhome. You need a commercial drivers license for a class a over 26,000. Class a any combination of vehicles with a gvwrgvw. Drivers licenses are classified by the gross vehicle weight rating gvwr of your vehicle. The drivers manual is the book that provides the information you need to know in order to pass your tests and drive safely.
Class a any combination of motor vehicles with a gross combined weight rating gcwr of 26,001 pounds or more, providing that the vehicle being towed is in. The cdl is required to operate cmvs with a gross combination weight rating gcwr of 26,001 or more pounds, or cmvs that carry 16 or more people. Learn the requirements for getting your illinois cdl, including the dot. Getting an illinois commercial drivers license, also known as the illinois cdl.
With a class b cdl and the appropriate endorsements, you may drive the following types of vehicles. The secretary of states office mails a renewal letter to driver s license holders 60 to 90 days prior to the expiration of your license. Visit a secretary of state facility, show required identification documents and have your photo taken surrender all valid outof state licenses, state id cards, instruction permits and commercial drivers licenses. If you move, you will have to transfer your commercial drivers license to the new state and turn in the old cdl. We confirmed by phone that the class d license is valid for all rvs. A class a driver, also known as a cdla commercial drivers license that allows a person to drive a truck for a company or business. Due to the covid19 pandemic, no appointments for cdl. Commercial driver license cdl program implementation grant. Take note of the specific weight ratings and the license class required for each. Unlike a class c cdl in texas, which allows drivers to transport 16 to 23 passengers, a class b cdl allows a driver to transport a bus with 24 or more passengers including the driver.
States are permitted to set requirements for applicants from other states. What you need to know about the new cdl license requirements. States such as illinois are given the authority to issue commercial drivers licenses, but the minimal federal. Drivers licensecommercial drivers licensestate id card. In colloquial use, its referred to as a regular or normal drivers license, because this is the type of drivers license most people need.
A comprehensive statebystate guide to rv license requirements. Commercial drivers license cdl illinois secretary of state. A cdl, or commercial drivers license, is a type of drivers license required in the united states for drivers who would like to operate any vehicle that has a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. However, a cdl can also be revoked for certain criminal convictions and rule violations. Commercial drivers license and cdl requirements class a. When youve made the decision to learn all there is to know about driving a truck, star is the school with the ability and reputation you can trust to give you a leg up in this quickly. Doubles endorsement is required within 30 days of hire. You need a commercial drivers license to legally drive such vehicles. The letter contains the information needed to renew your license.
A class b commercial driver license is required to operate. The road test may be waived if your outofstate cdl is equivalent to the one you are applying for in illinois i. The class d license cannot be used to operate a motorcycle. Illinois cdl license requirements best trucking schools. Before you get a cdl, you will need to take a state test to become licensed. If you are transferring in an out of state cdl and you begin the cdl written testing process and then decide to have a basic class d drivers license issued, you. Various states differ on what class they utilize to distinguish between a typical driver license and special licenses, such as restricted, chauffeur, or motorcycle licenses. Do you need a cdl to drive an air brake vehicle that is. A class a commercial drivers license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating gvwr of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds with a class a cdl and the proper endorsements, you may drive the following types of vehicles. This license applies to drivers who do not require a class a license, but who haul an excess of 10,001 pounds or more.
Types of drivers licenses aaa digest of motor laws. Commercial drivers license cdl, division of motor vehicles. Mar 30, 2020 milford commercial drivers licensepermit only wilmington commercial drivers licensepermit only all class d and class dm drivers licenses, id cards, and learners permits that have expired or are expiring between march 1, 2020 and may 31, 2020, will have a 60day extension applied to the current expiration date. A class a or class b license, or a class c license with endorsements for double or triple trailers, buses, tank trucks, or hazardous materials is a commercial license.
F450 pickup truck hauling a 10,001 or more pound trailer, an electric department truck hauling a 10,000 pound forklift on a flatbed trailer, etc. Small business trends contacted fred word, executive. A noncommercial drivers license allows someone to operate a passenger vehicle alone, without supervision. Class a motorhomes are actually one of the only types of rig that you may need a special license to drive. Commercial drivers license cdl means a license issued by a state or other jurisdiction, in accordance with the standards contained in 49 cfr part 383, to an individual which authorizes the. Below is a list of all commercial drivers license classes. If you want to acquire a commercial drivers license from the state of illinois, youre going to have to pass a general knowledge test.
Illinois il cdl license guide, exam prep, and requirements. A class b non commercial license also allows authorized drivers to operate certain commercial vehicles. An illinois cdl license is required by all drivers who would like to operate commercial motor vehicles cmvs in the state. If you already have a cdl from another state, please read about transferring a cdl. Entrylevel driver training eldt the federal motor carrier safety administration fmcsa established new minimum training standards for certain individuals applying for a class a or class b commercial drivers license cdl for the first time. Driver s license commercial driver s license renewal. Coronavirus covid19 and dmv closures all 50 states. Many states issue a class d license, which is not part of the fmcsa standards. This manual is a study guide for applicant requirements, passing knowledge tests and the cdl skills test. Driving a commercial motor vehicle cmv requires a higher level of knowledge, experience, skills, and physical abilities than that required to drive a non commercial vehicle. Applicants must be sure to bring their personal valid and current driver s license class d, dl or e, social security card, birth and domiciliary documents as with interstate applications. To receive this license, applicants must pass a 50question test. To drive any vehicle that falls in the following list, you need to get a commercial drivers license and fit the cdl requirements.
Mt a class d basic driver license allows you to drive any non. To drive a commercial motor vehicle across state lines interstate. The road test may be waived if your outof state cdl is equivalent to the one you are applying for in illinois i. Any vehicle as described above that is towing another vehicle weighing up to 10,000 lbs. In most states, a class a license is one designation of cdls. Turn in your outof state commercial drivers license. In the united states, the commercial motor vehicle safety act of 1986. Test questions come from the illinois commercial drivers license study guide. A class a commercial drivers license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating gcwr of 26,001 lbs. If youre planning on driving a truck or other commercial vehicle, youll need a commercial drivers license cdl.
Transfers must hand over their licenses issued in the previous state and change it for an illinois license. Only professional drivers will receive and keep a commercial driver license cdl. Regional truck drivers haul 95% notouch freight, most of it dropandhook all within the central 24 states, and average 2,150 miles per week with 300400 miles per haul plus no northeast driving in this new configuration. How to get a commercial drivers license in illinois. Driver s license manual states that a class d license is valid up to 26,000 lb gvwr. Commercial drivers license cdl and commercial learners permit clp driver services. Mar 28, 2020 a class b commercial driver s license is required to operate a single vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or tow a vehicle not heavier than 10,000 pounds. Dec 18, 2019 commercial driver s license program overview. The commercial drivers license cdl program implementation grant provides financial assistance to states to achieve compliance with the requirements of 49 cfr parts 383 and 384. The class d driver s license is the standard license for any vehicle under 16,000 poundsincluding passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, vans, and trucks. Unlike a traditional drivers license, an applicant for a class a drivers license must be at least 18 years old in most states. Cdl holders face stiff fines and points for speeding tickets or for a commercial traffic violation, for example.
Cdl training schools chicago, illinois commercial drivers. Information on class d drivers licenses it still runs. Class d through b vehicles run the size gamut from less than 16,001 pounds d. Drivers seeking a basic license to operate a car in illinois are issued a class d license. Military drivers must apply within one year of leaving a military position requiring operation of a commercial vehicle. Truck drivers who operate their vehicles with a commercial drivers license cdl are held to a high standard when it comes to driving safety. Illinois commercial drivers license requirements and. Pass the vision and written tests for the license and any additional endorsements. Laws and requirements for a class a license differ from one state to another. Cdl license requirements find cdl requirements by state. The letter is mailed to the address our office has on file for the driving record. What can you drive with a class b drivers license in texas. You must be age 18 to apply for a commercial drivers license cdl or a commercial learners permit clp to operate intrastate and age 21 to operate in interstate commerce or to transport passengers.
Each cdl has specific endorsements and restrictions applicable to the cmv operated. So if youre interested in getting a cdl, start by checking your local laws. A driver with an illinois class b cdl plus appropriate endorsements can also legally operate all vehicles in class c. Operation of a school bus, motorcycle, motordrive cycle, or moped requires a special endorsement on a license. Requirements to obtain an original illinois clp or transfer a cdl from another state. Minimum requirements to apply for a commercial learners permit clp or commercial drivers license cdl have a valid regular noncommercial drivers license and be at least 18 years old in most states. You need a commercial drivers license for a class a over 26,000 pounds. Star truck driving school is proud to be the preferred institution for earning a commercial drivers license cdl in and around the chicago, illinois area. Driver s license and cdl manuals imply that a cdl is required above 26,000 lb gvwr.
Federal and state cdl requirements trucker country. Turn in your outofstate commercial driver s license. Thats because they can weigh anywhere between,000 and 30,000 pounds which is, of course, above that 26,000 pound threshold weve mentioned. While your towing allowances will depend on which endorsements you obtain, a few of the vehicles you may be able to drive with.
This license is required for driving any legal combination of vehicles, with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gvwr of a trailer exceeds 10,000 pounds. How to get a cdl commercial driver license in 10 steps. It takes special skills and a professional attitude to safely operate large trucks and buses. You must be age 18 to apply for a commercial driver s license cdl or a commercial learners permit clp to operate intrastate and age 21 to operate in interstate commerce or to transport passengers. Find out if you need a commercial or a special driver s license in your state.
Mar 22, 2016 there is a lot of misinformation on the internet about when you need a cdl and how to get one. The state of illinois has the authority to substitute two years of experience safely operating trucks or buses equivalent to civilian commercial vehicles for the skills test portion of the illinois commercial driver license cdl test. Commercial drivers manual in illinois in order to obtain your commercial drivers license cdl you must first pass a series of general knowledge and practicaldriving exams. Legally, this license type can have many different names. This license is issued by most states for non commercial use. According to federal motor carrier safety regulations section 391. As with class a licenses, you may be required to possess specific endorsements to operate some vehicles with a class b license. In order to obtain your license, you need to pass the vision, knowledge, and road tests. This test covers all aspects of commercial driving, from basic care of your vehicle to road skills, from cargo loading to correct behavior in an emergency. Our 2020 big guide to rv driver license requirements never. To drive intrastate that is, within the state, you must be at least 18 years old. For instance, tennessee designates class d as a regular driver license, while class m is a motorcycle license and class h is a hardship license see below. The operation of a commercial motor vehicle cmv in illinois requires a commercial drivers license cdl. A gross combination weight rating gcwr of 26,001 lbs.
For federal cdl requirements applicable to every state, click here. Below, you will see all of the drivers license classifications in the state of illinois. This video explains the entire process, stepbystep, so you know what it takes to get a class a. Additionally, the cdlpi grant program provides financial assistance for other entities capable of executing national projects that aid states in their compliance. There are new rules coming into effect for entry level truck driver training eldt in february 2020 that small businesses need to know about. Rv drivers license requirements in every state campanda. As a result, california has developed licensing and testing requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles which equals or exceeds federal standards. Illinois cdl requirements for outof state residents and transfers. Class iii highways and remainder of state highway system. Take note of the specific weight ratings and the license class.