Arizona commercial drivers license office

State and federal CDL license requirements expressly prohibit the issuance of commercial drivers licenses certain drivers. These include those who:. Getting CDL permit credentials authorizes motorists to drive commercial vehicles under the supervision of trained and licensed commercial drivers for the purposes of training and practicing the skills they will need in order to pass their licensing tests. However, all motorists will need multiple documents to fully demonstrate their compliance with CDL permit requirements.

Arizona applicants must take and pass the CDL general knowledge test to successfully obtain commercial driving credentials in the state. Applicants may also be required to take additional CDL written test portions if they wish to qualify for certain endorsements. CDL permit test questions are taken directly from the training materials found in the state CDL license manual. Applicants must achieve a score of 80 percent, or higher, in order to pass.

Arizona motorists are not required to attend a CDL school as part of the licensing process. Instead, they may prepare by:. While motorists may select what methods of CDL prep in which to engage, it is vital that they cover all of the material in the CDL book to properly prepare themselves for testing, and to become safe drivers.

Applicants who do not pass their physicals cannot apply for CDL licenses. Applicants who do pass may print or pick up the correct application form from the DMV. Applicants may then complete the form, and gather the necessary documents as listed above to demonstrate citizenship, age, residency and safe driving history. Additionally, CDL learners permit holders who are ready to test for the licenses can call the DMV and schedule testing appointments. The Arizona CDL driving test is comprised of three sections, including vehicle inspections, basic controls and on-road skills testing.

Motorists may choose to be tested by an agent at the DMV, directly, or by authorized third-party testers. In either case, applicants must test using vehicles in the classes covered by the licenses for which they are pursuing. For instance, applicants who wish to drive commercial passenger vehicles must test in commercial passenger vehicles, while those pursuing tanker truck classifications must test in tanker trucks.

To qualify for the CDL for veterans waiver program, applicants must:. Qualifying applicants will be exempt from the road skills portion of their CDL licensing tests. Motorists seeking school bus and passenger vehicle endorsements are required to pass those portions of the road skills test in order to receive those endorsements — even with waivers.

Applicants must bring both the long-form and short-form i. Medical Card versions of their DOT medical examiner reports when applying for a permit. If you've moved to Arizona and wish to transfer your out-of-state CDL, you will have to do so within 30 days of establishing AZ residency. Schedule an appointment with your local MVD office and bring your:. The AZ Motor Vehicle Division currently charges the following for commercial driver licenses and related services:.

The MVD has created a program to help current military members or recent veterans transition from driving for the Armed Forces to civilian commercial vehicle operation, by allowing certain service members to have their CDL skills tests waived. If you meet the qualifications, you can apply by completing a Military Skills Test Waiver Form and bringing it with you when you apply for your commercial learner's permit.

NOTE : Eligible candidates will still have to pay all required fees and pass all written exams. All Arizona commercial driver license applicants must either acquire certain medical certifications before applying for their learner's permits, OR submit a waiver see " Exemptions " below.

You may also be required to go through a process called self-certification , where you declare to the state the type of driving you intend on doing with your CDL. After you're deemed physically fit, you will be given a Medical Examiner Certificate.

You can submit your certificate to the AZ Medical Review program by:. Keep a copy of this document on you at all times while operating a commercial motor vehicle. You can also check the status of your Medical Examiner Certificate online. Wait 10 days for your certificate to be processed before checking the standing. You will also have to renew your Medical Examiner Certificate at least every 2 years ; however, the medical examiner can set the expiration date sooner based on certain medical conditions.

The MVD will send you a reminder 45 days before your certificate expires. The state and federal government both have medical waivers available for certain medical conditions. If you are issued a vision waiver for your CDL, you will be restricted from driving passengers and hazardous materials.

To apply for a vision waiver, visit a CDL office and submit the documents listed in the medical waivers section above, as well as a Vision Examination Report Form completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

To apply for a limb amputation or impairment waiver at your local CDL office , submit the items listed in the medical waivers section, in addition to a completed Medical Waiver Evaluation Summary Form The program includes several reports that must be completed by various medical professionals. These include the documents listed in the medical waivers section above, as well as a n :.

The FMCSA has established several different classifications of commercial driver's license, each one allowing you to drive different types of commercial vehicles. The type of CDL you apply for may dictate the type of skills and written exams you will need to take or how much your permit or license will cost. For more general information, see our guide to CDL classifications. An endorsement is an additional accreditation on your CDL that will allow you to operate a greater number of vehicles.

You can get an endorsement by taking extra exams —both written and skill-related—and paying additional fees. On the other hand, you could also have a restriction placed on your commercial driver's license, which would limit the amount of vehicles you're permitted to drive. You might receive a restriction on your CDL if you can't:. Check out our guide to endorsements and restrictions for more details.

Additional CLP Requirements Aside from providing the proper documentation and paying the fee, you will need to: Pass all appropriate written exams for the type of CDL you want. Submit to a driving record check. You will need to bring: Your commercial learner's permit CLP. Your AZ driver's license. The appropriate fee — see details below.

Social Security card. Current, valid commercial driver license from your previous state. The appropriate fee. School bus endorsements: Free. Military CDL Waivers in Arizona The MVD has created a program to help current military members or recent veterans transition from driving for the Armed Forces to civilian commercial vehicle operation, by allowing certain service members to have their CDL skills tests waived. To qualify, you must: Be active duty or discharged from the military within 1 year of your application date.