Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerAlaska CDL Prep
Alaska CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Alaska commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Alaska CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Alaska
In Alaska, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Alaska age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Alaska CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Alaska. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerAlaska CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Alaska CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Alaska.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Alaska?
Yes. Effective February 7, 2022, Alaska follows federal ELDT for first-time Class A or B applicants, upgrades from Class C to B/A or B to A, and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles verifies training before skills testing, and before the hazmat knowledge test for a first-time H endorsement.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Alaska?
Yes when you self-certify as non-excepted. Complete Form 413 for every CLP or CDL transaction and provide a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (MCSA-5876) from a National Registry examiner if one is not already on file with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles. Bring any required FMCSA or Alaska DOT medical waiver or SPE with your application.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Alaska?
Plan to bring your Alaska driver license, Social Security number, proof of Alaska residence, proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, your Medical Examiner's Certificate (unless you self-certify as excepted), and completed DMV application forms. First-time applicants also need proof of ELDT completion.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Alaska?
Yes. You must be at least 21. First-time hazmat applicants must finish hazmat ELDT theory before the knowledge test (80% to pass). Before original issuance, renewal, transfer, or upgrade of an HME, present a valid TWIC or verifiable TSA Security Threat Assessment results from the previous six months. Start the TSA process early — Alaska DMV cannot issue the endorsement until clearance is on file.
How long is an Alaska CLP valid?
After you get your Commercial Learner's Permit, you have 180 days to schedule and complete your road skills test. You may resubmit forms to extend the permit once for another 180 days.
Are there CDL exemptions for rural Alaska?
Yes. Alaskans who live off the road system may be exempt from some commercial licensing requirements. Check the Alaska DMV Guide to Rural Driving for details that apply to your community.
Can veterans skip the Alaska CDL skills test?
Some veterans may qualify for a military skills test waiver if they meet Alaska DMV criteria. Review Military and Veteran Support on the Alaska DMV website before applying.
How do I transfer an out-of-state CDL to Alaska?
If you plan to stay in Alaska, you must get an Alaska CDL within 30 days of establishing residency. Seasonal workers with a valid home-state CDL can drive without converting. Transfers generally require passing Alaska's non-commercial general knowledge test.
Does PrepCDL cover Alaska?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Alaska CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.