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 providerNew Jersey CDL Prep
New Jersey CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your New Jersey commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the New Jersey CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in New Jersey
In New Jersey, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. 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
- 7 days
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 7 days
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet New Jersey 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official New Jersey 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission 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 New Jersey. 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission 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 examinerNew Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in New Jersey?
Yes. Effective February 7, 2022, New Jersey requires ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider. Complete hazmat ELDT before the hazmat knowledge test. First-time Class A or B, upgrades, and first-time P, S, or H applicants must finish ELDT before the skills test.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in New Jersey?
Yes for non-excepted drivers (self-cert categories 1 or 3). Your Medical Examiner's Certificate must be electronic on the FMCSA National Registry. Excepted categories 2 or 4 without a passenger endorsement generally do not need an MEC. All passenger (P) endorsement holders need an electronic MEC regardless of commerce category.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in New Jersey?
Make a CDL permit appointment and bring 6 Points of ID (including Social Security card, proof of address, and proof of legal presence), the CDL application, and the signed CDL Holder Self-Certification form. Pay the $125 non-refundable examination test receipt fee. Have your electronic MEC on the National Registry if required for your self-cert category.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in New Jersey?
Yes. Complete hazmat ELDT before the hazmat knowledge test, pass the knowledge exam, and finish a TSA security threat assessment. Drivers under 21 cannot receive a hazmat endorsement. Endorsements cost $2 each when you get your CDL.
How long is a New Jersey CLP valid?
A New Jersey Commercial Learner's Permit is a digital credential (MVC no longer issues paper CLPs) valid for 180 days. Carry it with your New Jersey driver's license when operating a CMV. The $125 examination test receipt is also valid for 180 days and is non-refundable.
What are New Jersey CDL knowledge and skills retest rules?
Failed knowledge tests require a mandatory 7-day wait before retesting. There is no limit on knowledge attempts within the 180-day test-receipt period. If you fail the skills test, wait at least two weeks; repeated failures may require a six-month wait. Written, vision, and road scores remain valid for 360 days.
Who can get a non-domiciled CLP or CDL in New Jersey?
Under current federal rules, non-domiciled applicants generally need an unexpired I-94/94A showing H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 classification. Asylum seekers, asylees, refugees, and DACA recipients are not eligible, and Employment Authorization Documents alone are not accepted. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents follow the standard path.
Can military members waive New Jersey CDL skills testing?
Yes. Active, reserve, or recently discharged (within 12 months) service members with a valid New Jersey Class D license and qualifying military CMV experience may apply for the Military CDL Skills Waiver. Knowledge and vision tests are still required; you need a commanding-officer-certified waiver form, self-certification, and a Medical Examiner's Certificate.
Does PrepCDL cover New Jersey?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the New Jersey CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.