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 providerDelaware CDL Prep
Delaware CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Delaware commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Delaware CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Delaware
In Delaware, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Delaware 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
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 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 Delaware 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 Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware. 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 Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware 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 examinerDelaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Delaware?
Yes. Complete ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider before the skills test for first-time Class A or B, upgrades to a higher class, and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements. Hazmat ELDT must be finished before the hazmat knowledge test.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Delaware?
Yes. Use a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry. Since June 23, 2025, results are submitted electronically to Delaware DMV — you do not need to visit DMV to turn in a paper medical card. You must also self-certify your driving status.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Delaware?
Plan to bring your valid Delaware driver license and identification documents required by DMV. Knowledge tests are walk-in at any division facility. Medical certification is submitted electronically by your examiner, and you must self-certify your driving type.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Delaware?
Yes. You must be at least 21. Complete hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test for a first-time endorsement, pass the Delaware DMV hazmat exam, and finish a TSA Security Threat Assessment. Start fingerprinting early so approval is ready when Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles issues your CDL.
How long is a Delaware CLP valid?
A Delaware Commercial Learner's Permit is valid for one year and may not be issued or extended beyond one year from the original issuance date. A $5 fee is required upon issuance.
How do I schedule a Delaware CDL skills test?
Skills tests are by appointment only after you have held your CLP for at least 14 days. Road tests are offered weekdays except Wednesday. Schedule online through MyDMV (My Road Test) or by calling your local DMV office.
Do I still bring a paper medical card to Delaware DMV?
No. As of June 23, 2025, medical examiners submit results electronically through the National Registry. You no longer need to visit or notify DMV to submit medical certification, but you must still self-certify your driving status.
What are Delaware Non-CDL Class A and B licenses?
Non-CDL Class A or B licenses cover farm, firefighting, and certain emergency vehicles under CDL waivers. Applicants pass a knowledge and road test for the class, but skills and pre-trip tests are waived. Personal RVs, military CMVs operated by military personnel, and many emergency vehicles do not require a special CDL.
Does PrepCDL cover Delaware?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Delaware CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.