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 providerArizona CDL Prep
Arizona CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Arizona commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Arizona CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Arizona
In Arizona, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division. 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
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- next business day
- Test languages
- English, Spanish
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- next business day
- Test languages
- English, Spanish
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Arizona 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 Arizona Motor Vehicle Division.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Arizona 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 Arizona Motor Vehicle Division 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 Arizona. 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 Arizona Motor Vehicle Division 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 Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, 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 Arizona Motor Vehicle Division 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 examinerArizona 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 Arizona 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 Arizona.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona follows federal ELDT rules: you need training from an FMCSA-registered provider before the skills test if you are getting a Class A or B CDL for the first time, upgrading from Class B to Class A, or adding a school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsement for the first time.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Arizona?
Yes. Most Arizona CDL applicants need a physical from an FMCSA-certified examiner. The examiner submits your Medical Examiner's Certificate electronically — wait 24 hours, then confirm status in AZ MVD Now. Intrastate-only drivers with a K restriction still submit a paper MEC to MVD. Keep your certificate current (typically every 24 months) or your CDL privileges can be suspended.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Arizona?
Plan to bring proof of authorized presence in the U.S., two proofs of Arizona residence, your Social Security number, your Arizona driver license, and your Medical Examiner's Certificate. Out-of-state licenses must be converted to an Arizona license before you start the CDL process, and you need at least one year of driving history.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Arizona?
Yes. After ELDT and the hazmat knowledge test, you must complete a TSA Security Threat Assessment. The HME cannot be placed on a CLP. You can receive a CDL without the HME and return to MVD after TSA approval, which can take up to 45 days.
How long is an Arizona CLP valid?
An Arizona Commercial Learner's Permit is valid for a maximum of 12 months. You must hold it for at least 14 days before taking the skills test.
Can I transfer an out-of-state CLP to Arizona?
No. Out-of-state CLPs are not transferable. Convert your out-of-state driver license to an Arizona license first, then apply for an Arizona CLP. If you move to Arizona with a CDL, you have 30 days to change it and must surrender previous credentials.
Can military members skip the Arizona CDL skills test?
Eligible active-duty service members or veterans separated within the last year under honorable conditions may qualify for a skills test waiver if they operated a CMV or equivalent for at least two years immediately before discharge or applying. Complete the Military Skills Test Waiver form and take the knowledge tests at an MVD office.
Do school bus drivers need both P and S endorsements in Arizona?
Yes. School bus drivers must have both the passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements. You must take the skills test in the size of bus you intend to drive, and testing in a bus under 26,001 pounds GVWR adds a restriction against larger buses.
Does PrepCDL cover Arizona?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Arizona CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.