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 providerMississippi CDL Prep
Mississippi CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Mississippi commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Mississippi CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Mississippi
In Mississippi, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Mississippi Driver Service Bureau. 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
- 21 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 21 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 Mississippi age rules — 21 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 Mississippi Driver Service Bureau.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Mississippi 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 Mississippi Driver Service Bureau 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 Mississippi. 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 Mississippi Driver Service Bureau 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 Mississippi Driver Service Bureau, 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 Mississippi Driver Service Bureau 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 examinerMississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Mississippi?
Yes. Beginning February 7, 2022, Mississippi requires ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider before skills testing for first-time Class A or B, upgrades from Class B to Class A, and first-time passenger or school bus endorsements, and before the knowledge test for a first-time hazmat endorsement. Prior CDL or endorsement holders from before that date are generally exempt.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Mississippi?
Yes. A valid Medical Examiner's Certificate must be on file before a Mississippi CLP can be issued (typically valid up to two years). As of June 23, 2025, Mississippi does not accept paper or scanned medical cards — your National Registry examiner submits results electronically, and the Driver Service Bureau posts them to your record. Allow time for the update before applying.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Mississippi?
Plan to bring a completed and signed application, original birth certificate or other accepted identity document, Social Security card or official correspondence showing your full 9-digit SSN, two proofs of Mississippi residency, and any legal name-change documents. Your medical certification must already be on your driver record via the National Registry. A CLP costs $16.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Mississippi?
Yes. Pass the hazardous materials knowledge test and complete a TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting. First-time hazmat applicants must also finish hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test. Mississippi lists a $100 hazardous materials fee on the Driver Service Bureau fee schedule.
How long is a Mississippi CLP valid?
A Mississippi Commercial Learner's Permit costs $16 and is valid for 6 months (180 days). You must hold it for at least 14 days before CDL skills testing. A 5-year CDL license is $55; most endorsements are $5 each.
Can I get a Mississippi CDL if I am under 21?
No. Mississippi law generally does not allow the commissioner to issue a commercial learner's permit or commercial driver's license to anyone under 21. Light commercial Class D is a separate non-CDL credential and is not a Class A, B, or C CDL.
Does Mississippi offer a farm-related seasonal CDL waiver?
Yes. Eligible seasonal drivers for farm retail outlets and suppliers, agri-chemical businesses, custom harvesters, or livestock feeders may obtain a restricted Class B CDL without written or skills testing. The farm-related service waiver is valid for 180 days from issue, and only one waiver can be issued per calendar year.
Can military members waive Mississippi CDL skills testing?
Yes. The Driver Service Bureau offers an Application for Military Skills Test Waiver for eligible service members. Applicants who qualify under federal skills-test exceptions are also generally exempt from ELDT for that waived skills test.
Does PrepCDL cover Mississippi?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Mississippi CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.