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 providerMinnesota CDL Prep
Minnesota CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Minnesota commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Minnesota CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Minnesota
In Minnesota, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services. 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Minnesota 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services 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 Minnesota. 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, 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 Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services 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 examinerMinnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Minnesota?
Yes. You can take ELDT theory at any time. Behind-the-wheel training requires a CLP and must be completed within one year of theory. Minnesota follows federal ELDT for first-time Class A or B, upgrades, and first-time passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsements — finish training with an FMCSA-registered provider before skills or hazmat knowledge testing as required.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Minnesota?
Yes for non-excepted drivers. Complete medical self-certification with Minnesota DVS. Non-excepted interstate and intrastate drivers need a Medical Examiner's Certificate from a National Registry examiner — DVS does not accept certificates handed in by applicants. Certificates are typically valid up to two years; check status at drive.mn.gov. Expired medicals can lead to CDL downgrade.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Minnesota?
Plan to bring your valid Minnesota driver's license, proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, proof of Minnesota residency, and completed medical self-certification. A CLP costs $26.75; endorsement exams are $2.50 each. Non-domiciled applicants need a passport, I-94/94A, and an H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visa and must apply at a designated DVS exam station.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Minnesota?
Yes. Pass the hazmat knowledge test and complete a TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting. First-time hazmat applicants also need hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test. Minnesota requires you to retake the hazmat (and school bus) knowledge test each time you renew that endorsement.
How long is a Minnesota CLP valid?
A Minnesota Commercial Learner's Permit is valid for 180 days and may be renewed so the CLP is not valid for more than one year from the date of initial issuance. You must hold it for at least 14 calendar days before taking the CDL skills test. The CLP fee is $26.75.
Who can get a non-domiciled CLP or CDL in Minnesota?
Under current federal rules, non-domiciled applicants need an unexpired foreign passport, Form I-94/94A with an unexpired Admit Until date, and an H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visa. Apply only at designated DVS exam stations such as Anoka, Arden Hills, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and other listed locations on the Minnesota DPS CDL page.
Does Minnesota offer a seasonal farm CDL?
Yes. Eligible seasonal farm workers may qualify for a restricted Class B or C seasonal CDL without taking knowledge or skills tests. You can choose a standard 210 consecutive-day season or a flexible 70-day seasonal CDL in three 70-day blocks. Self-certify your medical status and provide a valid medical examiner's certificate when you apply.
Can military members waive Minnesota CDL skills testing?
Yes. Active-duty service members and those within one year of separation may use military driving experience toward a Minnesota Class A or B CDL. Eligible applicants can pursue an FMCSA skills test waiver or Even Exchange with qualifying MOS/ratings and current military ID or DD-214, after passing required knowledge tests.
Does PrepCDL cover Minnesota?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Minnesota CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.