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 providerColorado CDL Prep
Colorado CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Colorado commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Colorado CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Colorado
In Colorado, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Colorado 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
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Test languages
- English, Spanish
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Test languages
- English, Spanish
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Colorado 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 Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Colorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado. 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 Colorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado 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 examinerColorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Colorado?
Yes. Complete ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider before the skills test if you are getting a Class A or B CDL for the first time or adding a passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsement for the first time. Hazmat ELDT must be finished before the hazmat knowledge test.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Colorado?
Yes. You need a current DOT medical card from a National Registry examiner. Colorado only accepts Medical Examiner's Certificates transmitted electronically through the FMCSA National Registry — wait 24–48 business hours after your exam, then confirm status on myDMV or by calling 303-205-5613 if it has not posted.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Colorado?
Plan to bring a valid driver license (Colorado or another state), a current DOT medical card, and identification documents if you are transferring from another state. Colorado has paused term-limited (non-domiciled) CDLs and CLPs until further notice.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Colorado?
Yes. First-time hazmat applicants must complete hazmat ELDT, pass the English-only hazmat knowledge test, and provide a current TSA Security Threat Assessment every time you purchase a Colorado CDL with the H endorsement. Start the TSA process early through the federal hazmat endorsement program.
How long is a Colorado CLP valid?
As of April 18, 2024, Colorado Commercial Learner's Permits are valid for one year and cannot be renewed. If your CLP expires before you get your CDL, you must retake all required knowledge exams and purchase a new permit.
Can I change my Colorado CLP class or endorsements later?
Knowledge test results are valid for only one CLP issuance. If you already have a CLP and need a different class or endorsement, you must retake all required exams and get a new permit. Apply carefully for the CLP you need.
Are Colorado CDL knowledge tests offered in Spanish?
Yes. The CDL knowledge test is available in English and Spanish. The hazmat knowledge test is available in English only.
Are non-domiciled CDLs available in Colorado?
No. Effective September 29, 2025, the Colorado DMV paused issuance and renewals of term-limited (non-domiciled) CDLs and CLPs until further notice due to federal FMCSA regulations.
Does PrepCDL cover Colorado?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Colorado CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.