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 providerIdaho CDL Prep
Idaho CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Idaho commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Idaho CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Idaho
In Idaho, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Idaho Transportation Department. 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
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Idaho 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 Idaho Transportation Department.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Idaho 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 Idaho Transportation Department 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 Idaho. 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 Idaho Transportation Department 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 Idaho Transportation Department, 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 Idaho Transportation Department 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 examinerIdaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Idaho?
Yes. As of February 7, 2022, Idaho CDL applicants must complete Entry-Level Driver Training from an FMCSA-registered provider before skills testing. Skills examiners verify ELDT when you schedule your appointment.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Idaho?
Yes for non-excepted drivers. After June 23, 2025, medical providers must submit results electronically to FMCSA — you cannot turn in paper forms yourself. Inactive CDL holders who are not actively driving may certify as excepted intrastate without a current med card, but must update to a non-excepted category and get a current DOT medical before returning to non-excepted commercial driving.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Idaho?
Plan to bring your valid Idaho Class D license (or be ready to take Class D tests), proof of lawful presence, current Idaho residency documents, and evidence of at least one year of licensed driving experience. The CLP costs $29 and knowledge tests are $5 each.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Idaho?
Yes. You must be at least 21. Complete hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test for a first-time endorsement, pass the Idaho Transportation Department hazmat exam, and finish a TSA Security Threat Assessment. Start the TSA process early so clearance is ready when you add the H endorsement.
How long is an Idaho CLP valid?
An Idaho Commercial Learner's Permit costs $29 and is valid for one year. You must hold it for at least 14 days before taking the skills test, and practice only with a licensed CDL driver rated for your equipment.
Do Idaho school bus drivers need both P and S endorsements?
Yes. School bus drivers must have both the passenger (P) and school bus (S) endorsements. Idaho also requires a CDL to operate a yellow-and-black school bus of any size transporting children to school or school events.
Can military members get an Idaho CDL testing waiver?
Yes. Idaho offers two military waivers for current or recently separated personnel with verifiable heavy-duty truck experience: a skills-test waiver (ITD 3141) and a combined knowledge-and-skills waiver (ITD 3143).
What is an Idaho Seasonal CDL?
A Seasonal CDL is available for certain farm-related service industries and is valid within 150 miles of the business or farm being served for up to 180 days in a 12-month period (twice in a lifetime). It is not valid for Class A combinations or passenger vehicles designed for 16 or more people.
Does PrepCDL cover Idaho?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Idaho CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.