FAQs
Got Questions?
Got a question about the CDL skills test or how CDL testing is conducted? Check out our CDL Test Questions for answers to your test questions.
CDL Requirements
How do I know if I need a CDL license?
There is a CDL flow chart on page 1-4 of the Indiana CDL Manual which explains if
you need a CDL license.
Scan the QR code here from your phone!
In general, you will need a commercial license if you want to drive:
- A vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001#'s or more.
- A Power Unit combined with a trailer which has a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001#'s or more, provided the trailer being towed has a GVWR of 10,001#'s or more.
- A vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver.
- Any vehicle required to display placards for hazardous materials.
How do I get a CDL license?
Obtain a CDL manual from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles web site at www.IN.gov/bmv
I used to have a CDL several years ago but I turned it in when I wasn't driving a truck anymore. How do I get it back?
Once your license has been surrendered or expired more than one (1) year or your DOT physical has expired for more than three (3) years then you must start all over by getting a new physical, take the appropriate written tests, obtain a new CDL learners permit, and successfully complete a skills test.
My vehicle has Air-Brakes but does not have a GVWR of 26,001#'s or more. Do I need a CDL license?
No, not unless the vehicle you are driving is placarded for hazardous materials or is designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
I currently have a CDL license with an "L" restriction (No Air-Brakes). I want to drive vehicles with air brakes now. How do I remove that restriction?
You must take the Air-Brake written test at the license branch and obtain a new learners permit. Then you must successfully complete a skills test at a Third-Party test site. When you pass, then you must return to the license branch to change your license.
I have an "E" Restriction (Automatic transmission only) on my license. How do I remove that restriction?
You must first obtain a new CDL learners permit, with the restriction removed. Then you must successfully complete a skills test in a manual transmission vehicle of the same class or higher as your current license.
I have a Class-A license with an "O" Restriction (no Semi-Tractor/Trailer). How do I remove that restriction?
You must first obtain a new CDL learners permit. If you had an "L" Restriction
(no Air-Brakes), then take that written test first. Then you
must successfully complete a skills test in a Semi-Tractor/Trailer. Preferably with
a manual transmission. Otherwise you will get an "E" Restriction (automatic transmission only).
How many times am I allowed to renew my permit?
Federal requirements allow you to renew your permit 2 times. You are allowed 1 initial issued permit and 2 renewals within a 2-year period. If you fail to renew your permit prior to its expiration date, you may be subject to re-taking the written tests at the license branch before you can renew your permit.
CDL Test Questions
I have my learners permit now. How long must I wait before I can take my CDL skills test?
Federal regulations require that:
- You cannot take your test until you have held your permit for 14 days.
- The appointment must be scheduled at least two days in advance.
- All ELDT "Entry Level Driver Training" requirements have been met, submitted by the Registered Training Provider, and verified their training provider correctly entered their information into the TPR by the actual applicant. Check your ELDT Training records here: CHECK YOUR RECORD!
** Are you subject to ELDT "Entry Level Driver Training" requirements? To find out check the ELDT Federal Requirements.
Indiana policy requirements:
Applicants CAN NOT be scheduled for a CDL Skills test until ALL ELDT training information has been submitted and verified to the Federal TPR by both the training provider and the applicant wanting to test. The federal scheduling systems prevent us from doing so until all requirements have been met and entered in successfully. If you have not verified your training records are correctly entered, do so before trying to schedule a test. You will only waste your time trying to schedule a test only to find out you can't schedule one unless all information has been transmitted correctly to the TPR.
You can check your ELDT Training records here: CHECK YOUR RECORD!
I have checked and verified my ELDT training records are correct, what do I do next?
Once you have verified all of your ELDT training records are complete and accurate, you are ready for the CDL skills test. You must make an appointment at one of the Third-Party skills test sites in Indiana. You may obtain a list of the certified sites from your local license branch or go to http://www.in.gov/bmv/. Be sure to study the skills sections in the back of your CDL manual (Sections 11, 12, & 13).
How much does a CDL skills test cost?
The CDL skills test cost is regulated by the state of Indiana. Current CDL testing fees can be found here - Prosafe CDL Locations
I have a CDL license now but want to add an endorsement or upgrade my license. Do I have to take another CDL skills test?
On some endorsements "N" (Tank), "T" (Doubles/Triples), "H" (Hazardous Materials) you are only required to take written tests at the license branch, complete the proper paperwork, and pay the appropriate fees. But if you are upgrading your license (going from Class-C to Class-B/Class-A, or Class-B to Class-A for example), adding the "P" (Passenger) or "S" (School Bus) endorsements; then you must take the appropriate written tests, obtain a learner's permit, complete the required ELDT training requirements, and successfully pass a CDL skills test to change your license.
2023 CDL Skills Modernization Testing
When does the new Modernization CDL Skills Testing take place?
August 12th, 2024
Key items not covered in the meeting that I forgot to mention.
School Corporations
Section
SCHOOL CORPORATIONS PRE-TRIP ITEMS:
EMERGENCY EXITS: THEY MUST OPERATE AT LEAST 1 EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW ALARM. THE REMAINING EXITS DO NOT NEED TO BE PHYSICALLY CHECKED, JUST POINTED OUT. DO NOT OPEN THE ROOF HATCHES UNLESS THEY ARE NEEDED FOR AIR FLOW ON HOT DAYS. THE EMERGENCY HATCH FUNCTION AND HOW TO OPEN IT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IS ALL THAT IS REQUIRED.
NO STUDENT LEFT BEHIND ALARM: TEACH YOUR APPLICANTS HOW TO DISABLE THESE. SET THEM OFF DURING YOUR TRAINING AND TEACH YOUR APPLICANTS HOW TO DISABLE THEM. BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT MANUFACTURES AND HOW THEY ARE INSTALLED, WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO SHUT THESE OFF WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT METHODS. SO PLEASE, MAKE SURE YOUR APPLICANTS KNOW HOW TO SHUT THESE OFF. CURRENTLY WE ALLOW TRAINERS IF IT'S NEEDED TO HELP THEM DURING THE TEST TO SHUT THESE OFF. FOR MODERNIZATION, THIS HELP FROM THE TRAINERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. THE APPLICANT IS THE ONLY ONE ALLOWED OUT WITH THE EXAMINER DURING A TEST SO THEY NEED TO BE TRAINED HOW TO DISABLE THESE. IF THEY DON'T GET TRAINED AND IT GETS SET OFF, THIS WILL CREATE A LOT OF PANIC IN THE APPLICANT. THE EXAMINERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HELP.
Questions & Answers from the Modernization meeting:
Pre-Trip Inspection
Section
When doing the air brake check, should the applicant say that they will perform the air gauge & governor cut off check and once that is completed then go on to say, “I will now perform the air leakage rate test” and so on and so forth?
The examiner will give specific instructions for the Air Brake Check. As it is now, it remains this way. The examiner will ensure that the test vehicle’s air pressure is brought down to governor cut in pressure which is 90 psi or below. From this point, the applicant starts the first step to the brake check. Once completed with the first step, and the applicant identifies the governor cut out pressure as it is stated in the CDL manual, the applicant can and should proceed on to the remaining 3 steps in order, as it is stated in the CDL manual until completed. However, for clarification and clear understanding purposes, it is possible that during any step in the brake check that an examiner MAY stop the applicant and ask for clarification on something if the applicant does not state the information needed for that step or an examiner is unsure of what the applicant is stating. This is not something that is required to be done, however, in most situations it is done to get clarification and ensure the applicant has the chance to give clear and unquestionable correct information prior to moving on to the next step.
When inspecting the passenger entry door that will be done from the inside as stated in the manual & no longer performed during the outside inspection?
As it is done currently, the applicant can inspect the door/passenger entry from the outside for all critical requirements. However, the operation must be checked from the inside. There is no possible way to check the operation from outside
Is the first aid emergency & bodily fluid spill kit that is listed under “School Bus Only” on the checklist considered emergency equipment? Can the applicant include that with the emergency equipment that is inspected inside the vehicle?
The first aid kit and body fluid kit are not part of the emergency equipment section items. As it has always been, there is no specific order in which items need to be inspected. It is only required to inspect all items for your vehicle that are listed on the checklist and in the manual.
Questions & Answers from the Modernization meeting:
Basic Controlled
Skills Section
What is the new Basic Controlled Skills Maneuvers and scoring criteria?
Forward Stop Box
Scoring is either "0" or "5" Points, No G.O.A.L's allowed. Must be inside "3" foot stop box.
Straight Line Backing
"1" G.O.A.L, "1" free pull-up
Same as current scoring.
Forward Offset Tracking
Scoring is "0" or "5" points on clearance. This is a forward moving graded maneuver, MUST be done WITHOUT STOPPING.
Reverse Offset Backing
"2" G.O.A.L's, "2" free pull-ups
Same as current Paralell Parking
with the addition of a "3" foot stop box at the rear of the alley. Rear of vehicle must be
inside the stop box.
Your vehicle must be straight within the alley when completed. Your
vehicle must be completely within the defined exercise boundaries when completed (other than
mirrors or other unique vehicle parts higher than the door mirrors, such as a bucket truck).
You may not go beyond the outer boundary line. (See Figure 12M.4 on page 12M-4) This
paragraph was taken from: Section 12M – Basic Control Skills Page 12M-3
Does this mean:
a. if the tractor and trailer are not straight with each other or
b. if they are straight with each other (tractor & trailer), but the combination vehicle is
not straight in profile or parallel to the lane that the applicant would be disqualified for
the final position?
Scoring is done based on the applicant’s final position. The rule is the entire vehicle must be within the boundaries and if any portion of the rear most part of the vehicle is within the 3-foot stop box the applicant is successful. The vehicle does not need to be perfectly straight, just inside the boundary and inside the stop box.