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 York CDL Prep
New York CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your New York commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the New York CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in New York
In New York, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the New York Department 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
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- at office discretion
- Test languages
- English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- at office discretion
- Test languages
- English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian
- Triple trailers
- Not permitted on state roadways
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet New York 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 York Department of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official New York 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 York Department 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 New York. 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 York Department 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 New York Department 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 New York Department 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 examinerNew York 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 York 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 York.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in New York?
Yes. If you are applying for a CDL for the first time, or adding a hazmat, passenger, or school bus endorsement for the first time, you must complete ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider. Hazmat ELDT is required before you take the Hazardous Materials knowledge test.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in New York?
Yes. Keep a current USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate on file with the DMV and self-certify your driving type. When you apply for an original Class A or B CLP, you must certify that you meet federal medical examination requirements. Your medical status must stay current to renew or keep your CDL.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in New York?
You must already hold a New York Class D, Class E, or Non-CDL C license. Use DMV's interactive pre-screening tool for forms and documents. Standard or REAL ID Class D/E holders must prove legal presence in the U.S.; Enhanced Driver License (EDL) holders generally do not. Offices are temporarily unable to accept CLP or CDL applications from temporary visitors who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Bring proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency as required.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in New York?
Yes. Complete hazmat ELDT before the Hazardous Materials knowledge test (English only), pass the exam, and finish TSA fingerprinting and a security threat assessment. If you transfer an out-of-state CDL that already has hazmat, you must retake the hazmat knowledge test and provide fingerprints for federal and New York background checks.
How much do New York CDL permit and road tests cost?
The commercial permit application fee is $10 and covers all written knowledge and endorsement tests taken on the same visit. Additional required tests taken later cost $5 each. The road test fee is $40 and must be paid before you can schedule. Knowledge tests are offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian; hazmat is English only.
Does New York check the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse?
Yes. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles queries the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) for CLP and CDL applicants and holders to confirm they are not prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
What CDL do stretch limo drivers need in New York?
Drivers of stretch limousines that carry nine or more passengers including the driver need at least a Class C CDL with a Passenger (P) endorsement. A road test is required to obtain the minimum class license.
Can 18- to 20-year-olds get a Class A CDL in New York?
Yes. New York's Class A Young Adult Training Program allows drivers ages 18 to 20 to obtain a Class A CDL after completing ELDT and supervised driving time. Interstate commerce and hazardous materials still have federal age limits.
Can military members skip the New York CDL skills test?
Possibly. Active-duty service members or those recently discharged who operated a commercial motor vehicle in the military (and meet other criteria) may qualify for a military skills test waiver. Knowledge tests, medical certification, and other requirements still apply.
What is Article 19-A for New York bus drivers?
Many CDL bus drivers in New York are also subject to Article 19-A, which sets additional rules for drivers working for certain motor carriers — including carriers with NYSDOT authority and those that transport school-aged children for academic purposes.
Does PrepCDL cover New York?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the New York CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.