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 providerLouisiana CDL Prep
Louisiana CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Louisiana commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Louisiana CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Louisiana
In Louisiana, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Louisiana Office 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
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Louisiana 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 Louisiana Office 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 Louisiana. 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 Louisiana Office 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 Louisiana Office 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 Louisiana Office 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 examinerLouisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Louisiana?
Yes when applicable. Louisiana follows federal ELDT rules — you may need training from an FMCSA-registered provider before the skills test. First-time hazmat endorsement applicants must complete hazmat ELDT before the hazmat knowledge test.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Louisiana?
Yes. You need a current Medical Examiner's Certificate (MCSA-5876) from a National Registry examiner to get a Louisiana CLP. Also complete CDL Supplemental Form DPSMV2211 initially and whenever your commerce type changes. Check medical and self-certification status through OMV online services.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Louisiana?
Plan to bring your valid Class A–E license, current Medical Examiner's Certificate (MCSA-5876), completed CDL Supplemental Form DPSMV2211, and proof of Louisiana residency such as a voter card, lease, utility bill, W-2, insurance policy, or postmaster statement.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Louisiana?
Yes. Complete a TSA security threat assessment through Integrated Biometric Technology (Idemia) before hazmat issuance — fingerprinting costs $85.25. Start the application online or at 1-855-347-8371 before your fingerprint appointment. First-time hazmat applicants also need ELDT before the hazmat knowledge test. Assessment results typically take about six weeks.
How long is a Louisiana CLP valid?
A Louisiana Commercial Learner's Permit is issued for up to 180 days and may be extended once for another 180 days at no charge if you need more training time. The total term cannot exceed 360 days from initial issuance. You must hold the CLP for 14 days before the skills test.
Which endorsements can be on a Louisiana CLP?
Only Tanker (N with restriction 69), Passenger (P with restriction 07), and School Bus (S) endorsements can be issued on a Louisiana CLP. You must be accompanied by a CDL holder with the proper class and endorsements in the front seat whenever you train.
Can out-of-state students get a Louisiana CLP?
Yes. Out-of-state students attending a driver training school may obtain and use a Louisiana CLP with a valid driver's license from their home state, as long as the license and CLP jurisdictions match and other CLP requirements are met.
How do I get a Louisiana hazmat endorsement?
Complete a TSA security threat assessment through Integrated Biometric Technology ($85.25 fingerprinting), finish hazmat ELDT if you have never held a verifiable hazmat endorsement, then pass the hazmat knowledge test. Apply at tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov or call 1-855-347-8371 before your fingerprint appointment.
Does PrepCDL cover Louisiana?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Louisiana CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.