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 providerIndiana CDL Prep
Indiana CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Indiana commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Indiana CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Indiana
In Indiana, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Indiana Bureau 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 Indiana 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 Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Indiana 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 Indiana Bureau 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 Indiana. 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 Indiana Bureau 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 Indiana Bureau 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 Indiana Bureau 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 examinerIndiana 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 Indiana 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 Indiana.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Indiana?
Yes. Effective February 7, 2022, Indiana follows federal ELDT for first-time Class A or B, upgrades from Class B to Class A, and first-time school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsements. BMV verifies hazmat ELDT before the knowledge exam; third-party skills sites verify Class A/B, passenger, and school bus ELDT before scheduling.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Indiana?
Yes. Your first Indiana CLP or CDL requires a current Medical Examiner's Certificate from a National Registry examiner on file with the BMV. Your physician sends the MEC to the National Registry for electronic submission to Indiana. Keep it current and check status in myBMV or by calling 888-692-6841.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Indiana?
Plan to bring your valid Indiana driver's license, U.S. Social Security number documentation, and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (or qualifying Non-Domiciled documents). A current Medical Examiner's Certificate must already be on file with the BMV.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Indiana?
Yes. You must be at least 21. First-time hazmat applicants must finish hazmat ELDT before the Indiana BMV knowledge exam, pass the test, and complete a TSA Security Threat Assessment with fingerprinting. Start TSA early — BMV will not issue the H endorsement until clearance is received.
How long is an Indiana CLP valid?
An Indiana Commercial Learner's Permit is valid for one year. Knowledge exam results are also valid for one year. You must hold the CLP for 14 days before taking the skills exam, and practice only with a CDL holder who has the proper class and endorsements.
Do first-time Indiana CDL applicants need human trafficking training?
Yes. Beginning July 1, 2023, all first-time Indiana CDL applicants must watch an instructional video on recognizing, preventing, and reporting human trafficking (Truckers Against Trafficking) and attest to watching it when applying for the CDL.
Can I get a Non-Domiciled CDL in Indiana?
Yes, if you hold a valid foreign passport (excluding Canada and Mexico) and a valid I-94 with an H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 admission class, plus a valid Indiana driver's license, Real ID documents, SSN, and MEC on file. Non-domiciled holders must present identity and lawful status documents in person for every CLP/CDL transaction.
What if my Indiana CDL has been expired more than three years?
If your CDL has been expired, disqualified, canceled, revoked, voluntarily surrendered, relinquished, or invalidated for longer than three years, you must meet all initial CDL application requirements again, including applicable knowledge exams and skills tests.
Does PrepCDL cover Indiana?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Indiana CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.