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New Jersey Commercial driver license (CDL)

If you want to be a truck driver or a bus driver, you will need to get a Commercial Driver License (CDL). But first, you must get a Basic New Jersey Driver License. Due to Federal regulations, holders of commercial driver licenses must visit an agency at renewal time. Renewal by mail is not an option at this time.

There are different CDL classes depending on the commercial vehicle that you will be driving. Each CDL class has its own regulations.

Class A New Jersey CDL includes

• Tractor trailers
• Any truck and trailer combination with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds - provided that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds
• Any vehicle in B, C or D categories, if you have qualified for the proper extra endorsements

Class B New Jersey CDL includes

• Any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds
• A vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds towing a trailer with a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds
• A bus with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including driver)
• Vehicles in Class C and D categories - provided you have qualified for the proper extra endorsements

Class C New Jersey CDL includes

• Any vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds used to transport hazardous material (with mandatory placard)
• Any bus designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) and with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds
• School vehicles designed for 15 passengers or less (including the driver)
• Any bus or vehicle used for hire and designed to transport eight to 15 passengers (including the driver)

New Jersey CDL Endorsements

Once you have received your New Jersey CDL, you can add endorsements and upgrade your license class. You can also downgrade your New Jersey CDL at any time if you would like to drop to a lower class or remove an endorsement. Most commercial drivers will need to obtain at least one endorsement.

• T - Double and Triple Trailer - Needed for operators of vehicles pulling two or three trailers - A Class A commercial license is required to operate this type of vehicle
• P - Passenger - Needed for operators of buses or similar vehicles used to transport passengers - Requires a road test. Other special requirements are necessary.
• S - School Bus - Needed for all school bus drivers - Requires a knowledge and road test; Drivers who hold an "S" endorsement will also have to test for a "P" endorsement - both are required to operate a school bus.
• N - Tank Vehicle - Needed for operators of vehicles that transport liquids or gas in bulk
• H - Hazardous Materials - Needed for operators of vehicles transporting hazardous materials - Must be trained and retested every two years.
• Air Brakes - Needed for any vehicle equipped with air brakes - Special road test federally required; If test is not taken, an "L" restriction is added to the CDL license

Getting your New Jersey CDL To get your New Jersey CDL you must meet the following qualifications:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a basic New Jersey driver license (Class D)
• Have 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without glasses)
• Be able to recognize red, green and amber colors
• Be physically fit*

* Federal law requires commercial drivers to carry a medical examiner's fitness statement at all times and renew it every two years. Download the Medical Examiner's Certificate [pdf] before your appointment.

New Jersey Commercial License and Endorsement Fee

The cost of a New Jersey CDL permit is $125 for knowledge, endorsement, and road tests. The permit fee includes payment for medical form review, background check results and data exchange with Federal driver monitoring systems. Important note: Medical or background check results can lead to commercial license disqualification. Disqualification does not make an applicant eligible for permit fee refund.

New Jersey CDL Application Process

• Study ahead; read the New Jersey CDL Manual
• Visit your local New Jersey MVC Agency
• Pass the 6 Point ID Verification; you must present a Social Security card for an initial commercial permit
• Pay $125 CDL permit fee (non-refundable). For your convenience, MVC Agencies accept American Express card, MasterCard card, Visa card, checks, money orders and cash
• Take the New Jersey CDL knowledge test and the New Jersey CDL road test as required

Restrictions New Jersey CDL applicants under 21 years old may only travel within New Jersey and may not receive HAZMAT or passenger endorsements.

Exemptions The following do not need a New Jersey CDL for their purpose:

• Taxi drivers (carrying less than eight passengers) and ride-sharing van drivers
• Firefighters
• Operators of rescue or first-aid squad vehicles
• Farmers hauling their own products and equipment within 150 miles of their farms
• Non-civilian operators of military equipment
• Operators of construction equipment not designed for operation on public roads
• Operators of recreational vehicles, provided the vehicle is being operated only for personal use

New Jersey CDL Tests

To get your New Jersey CDL, you need to pass the knowledge test and in some cases a road test.

New Jersey CDL Knowledge Test

• If you are a truck driver, you can take the knowledge test anytime after you get your commercial permit
• If you are a bus driver, you must have the physical examination form completed before taking the knowledge test
• If you are applying for a Class C passenger endorsement, you must have your physical examination forms and fingerprint cards completed before taking the knowledge test

For help preparing for the knowledge test, see the New Jersey CDL manual.

To take the New Jersey CDL knowledge test, follow these steps:

• Visit your local New Jersey MVC Agency
• To make sure you get the correct tests you must indicate the type of commercial vehicle you will drive and the endorsement(s) you will use
• The test fee is $125

The knowledge test is a 50-question general test with additional separate tests for each endorsement. To pass the test you must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly.

If you fail the knowledge test you must wait seven days before taking it again. You may re-take the test as many times as you like, but if you have not passed it after 180 days, you will need to renew your permit.

Once you pass the test, MVC will validate your permit for practice driving. You will need to practice for 10 days accompanied by another person before you can take the road test.

New Jersey CDL Road Test All applicants for Class A and B licenses are required to take the CDL road test. You can schedule an appointment for a CDL road test 20 days after you successfully complete the knowledge test. School bus road tests may be scheduled 10 days after successfully passing the knowledge test. A safety specialist will ride with you and judge you on three 20-minute parts:

• Pre-trip
• Basic Skills
• Road Skills

Make sure you bring the following things to the road test:

• A vehicle with the current inspection sticker, registration and insurance card (unless covered by PUC or federal DOT regulations). MVC will not supply the vehicle
• Valid examination permit

Once you pass the New Jersey CDL road test, you may take your permit and authorization slip to your local MVC Agency to obtain your license.

If you fail the New Jersey CDL road test, you must wait at least two weeks before re-taking the test. If you fail the test several times, MVC may require that you wait six months before taking the road test again.

New Jersey CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the New Jersey Knowledge Tests that are required for the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained in the FREE New Jersey CDL Handbook. Please read and study this manual carefully.

• Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
• Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
• Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air brakes vehicles..
• Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
• School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
• Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.

• FREE NEW JERSEY CDL HANDBOOK - NJ CDL MANUAL

• New Jersey CDL - MAIN CDL Index Page
• Getting your New Jersey CDL
• Commercial Learner Permits (CLP)
• New Jersey CDL Endorsements
• New Jersey CDL - FAQs
• New Jersey CDL - Hazardous Materials Endorsement Information
• New Jersey CDL - Self-Certification and Medical Examiner Certificate
• New Jersey CDL - Test Information
• New Jersey CDL - Violations
• New Jersey CDL - Transfer out-of-state CDL
• New Jersey CDL - Fees