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 providerMichigan CDL Prep
Michigan CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Michigan commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Michigan CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Michigan
In Michigan, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Michigan Secretary of State. 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 Michigan 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 Michigan Secretary of State.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Michigan 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 Michigan Secretary of State 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 Michigan. 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 Michigan Secretary of State 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 Michigan Secretary of State, 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 Michigan Secretary of State 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 examinerMichigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Michigan?
Yes. Effective February 7, 2022, Michigan requires ELDT for first-time Class A or B, CDL upgrades, and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements. You may get a CLP before finishing ELDT, but ELDT must be done before scheduling skills testing. First-time hazmat applicants must complete hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test. Records appear automatically through CSTIMS.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Michigan?
Yes when required for your operation. Michigan commercial and chauffeur applicants who drive vehicles at 10,000 pounds or more, carry passengers commercially, operate buses or school buses, or need hazmat endorsements must meet commercial driver medical requirements, including a valid medical card or medical waiver.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Michigan?
Schedule a Secretary of State office visit and bring your valid Michigan driver's license, proof of legal presence in the U.S., and proof of your Social Security number. For hazmat, also bring proof of a Federal Security Threat Assessment. Michigan checks the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before CLP and CDL transactions.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Michigan?
Yes. Preregister for a TSA fingerprint-based security threat assessment through Universal Enrollment Services at tsaenrollmentbyidemia.tsa.dhs.gov or 855-347-8371 about 45–60 days before you need the endorsement. Complete hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test for a first-time endorsement. Bring proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status (SAVE verification may take more than one day).
How long is a Michigan CLP valid?
A Michigan Commercial Learner's Permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. You must hold it for at least 14 days before skills testing, and schedule the skills test at least two days in advance with an approved driver testing business.
How many questions are on Michigan CDL knowledge tests?
Group A uses a 70-question general knowledge test plus a 20-question combination vehicle test. Groups B and C use 50-question tests. Endorsements are typically 20 questions each (hazmat is 30; air brakes is 25). You need 80% to pass, and you may take only one test per category per day.
Are triple trailers allowed in Michigan?
No. Michigan offers a Double/Triple Trailers (T) endorsement for knowledge testing, but triple trailer combinations are not permitted in Michigan.
Can military members waive Michigan CDL testing?
Yes. Eligible veterans and service members trained and employed in the past year to operate military equivalents of commercial vehicles may apply for a Military Waiver Even Exchange to convert a Michigan license to a Class A or B CDL at a Secretary of State office.
Does PrepCDL cover Michigan?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Michigan CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.