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 providerNorth Dakota CDL Prep
North Dakota CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your North Dakota commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the North Dakota CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in North Dakota
In North Dakota, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. 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
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 180 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation 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 North Dakota. 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation, 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 North Dakota Department of Transportation 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 examinerNorth Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in North Dakota?
Yes. You must complete federally required Entry-Level Driver Training from an FMCSA Training Provider Registry school before you are eligible for the road test. ELDT applies to first-time Class A or B, Class B to A upgrades, and first-time school bus, passenger, or hazmat endorsements.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in North Dakota?
Yes for most non-excepted drivers. Self-certify your commerce category and get a Medical Examiner's Certificate from a nationally certified examiner. Effective April 21, 2025, North Dakota no longer accepts MECs handed in by drivers — examiners must upload results electronically. Review NDDOT's Commercial Medical Certificate Requirements and confirm your status online before applying.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in North Dakota?
Apply in person at a North Dakota driver license site. Bring your current driver license, proof of legal presence (citizenship, lawful permanent residence, or temporary legal presence), proof of Social Security number, and proof of North Dakota residence address. Pass an eye exam before knowledge testing. Schedule an appointment online or call 855-633-6835.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in North Dakota?
Yes. Complete a TSA fingerprint-based security threat assessment first (call 1-855-837-8371 for the federal application and fingerprint sites). After TSA approval, take the hazmat knowledge test and add the H endorsement. H and T endorsements cannot be placed on a CLP. First-time hazmat applicants also need hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test.
How much do North Dakota CDL tests and permits cost?
Knowledge tests are $5 per attempt (one attempt allowed per day). A Commercial Learner Permit is $15 ($20 for non-domiciled). Endorsements are $3 each, and the road test is $5.
Are there farm or seasonal CDL options in North Dakota?
Yes. Certain farm vehicle operations within 150 miles of the farm may be exempt from a full CDL (contact Highway Patrol for details). North Dakota also has Farm CDL reciprocity with South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming within 150 miles of the farm, plus seasonal CDL / agribusiness licensing options. At age 16 you may test for a CDL restricted to custom harvesting only.
Can military members waive North Dakota CDL tests?
Possibly. NDDOT offers an Application for CDL Knowledge and Skills Test Waiver for eligible military members. Review the military waiver instructions on the NDDOT commercial driving site before you apply.
How do I avoid air-brake restrictions on a North Dakota CDL?
North Dakota does not treat air brakes as an endorsement. If you do not pass knowledge and road tests in a vehicle with full or partial air brakes, your CDL will carry an L (no airbrake-equipped CMV) or Z (no full airbrake-equipped CMV) restriction.
Does PrepCDL cover North Dakota?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the North Dakota CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.