Department of Safety
Dave Mitchell, Commissioner
Commercial Driver License (Class A, B, or C)
Important Information
In December 2008, the Tennessee Department of Safety sent notices to each State's Commercial Driver License Coordinator informing them that our department has information indicating that a third party testing company did not administer the skills tests in accordance with the Rules of the Tennessee Department of Safety's Driver Services Division, Chapter 1340-1-13-.22, paragraph 5(b) 10, or Federal Regulation 383.75(a)(2)(iii)(1993).
With the assistance of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Nashville Division, the department was able to locate the current address for each driver who tested for their CDL skills Test with this third party testing company. The department then suggested that each State's CDL Coordinator require drivers to submit to a re-test in order to maintain their current Commercial Driver License. Those drivers that currently reside in Tennessee will be required by our department to submit to a complete retest which consists of both Knowledge and skills tests.
Tennessee did not indicate that the commercial license issued to CDL holders who tested with the third party testing company were fraudulent or invalid, but indicated that the skills tests were not administered properly as outlined in state and federal regulations for third party testing. For those drivers that are no longer Tennessee residents, they must comply with the state that currently has jurisdiction of their license. That state has sole discretion as to how and if they are going to re-test their drivers.
What is a Commercial License?
Operators of larger and more complex vehicles will need to apply for a Commercial Driver License (CDL). These licenses include Class A, B, and C depending upon the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), and what is being transported. In general, state law defines a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as any vehicle or combination of vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds. If hazardous materials are transported, or if the vehicle is designed to transport more than fifteen (15) passengers including the driver, or if the vehicle is used as a school bus, a CDL would also be required, regardless of the weight of the vehicle. Drivers who need a CDL should obtain the Commercial Driver License Manual which contains detailed information necessary to prepare for the tests. These manuals are available at all driver license stations.
The Temporary Driver License is not available to cover any type of commercial motor vehicle. An applicant for a CDL must be able to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident status in order to qualify for issuance of a Tennessee CDL.
See the Commercial Motor Vehicles Guide for more information.
NOTE: If a person holds a valid commercial driver license (Class A, B, or C license), this license is also valid for operating a Class D vehicle. No separate Class D license is required.
What class license do I need?
Commercial licenses include Class A, B, and C depending upon the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), and what is being transported.
Some drivers may require an A/57 license. This license applies to drivers who do not require a class A license, but who haul an excess of 10,001 pounds or more. Examples are: F450 pick-up truck hauling a 10,001 or more pound trailer, an electric department truck hauling a 10,000 pound forklift on a flatbed trailer, etc.
View the Endorsement Table in PDF format.
What documents do I need to bring when I apply for a CDL?
Please bring the following documents with you when applying for a CDL license.
- Valid DOT Medical Card
- PLEASE NOTE: Employees of a government entity must have a current, valid D.O.T. medical card if making application for a CDL with a HazMat (H), Passenger (P) or School Bus (S) endorsement.
- Proof of your Social Security Number/Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- Tennessee driver’s license or ID, or a valid driver license or CDL from another state.
- Proof of Domicile in Tennessee.
- Applicants for a CDL or permit will be required to present two proofs of domicile.
+ What proof of U.S. citizenship documents are authorized?
- Certified U.S./ State or Territory issued Birth Certificate
- U.S. Government / Federal issued Certified Birth Certificate
- U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545)
- Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the U.S. (FS-240)
- U.S. Passport (VALID)
- Certificate of Citizenship (N560 or N561)
- Certificate of Naturalization (N550, N570 or N578)
- U.S. Military ID Card (DOD DD-2)
- U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-197, I-179)
+ What do I need to bring for domicile?
All documents must include a Tennessee residential address--the SAME residential address must be on each document presented. No photocopies accepted!
Acceptable Documents:
- Current utility bill including landline telephone, electric, water, gas, cable, etc. (Wireless telephone bills cannot be accepted).
- Current vehicle registration (personal vehicle not company vehicle) dated within the last 12 months.
- TN vehicle title showing TN address (but can’t use a title and vehicle registration as both proofs).
- Mortgage papers – such as the property deed or mortgage payment coupon/book.
- Copy of Lease Agreement or Contract with notarized signatures OR accompanied by signed realty agency letterhead confirming lease validity.
- Voter registration card – NOT the application for voter registration.
- Military LES papers listing Tennessee as home of record.
- Current filed tax return - not tax return booklet.
NOTE: (E-filed returns must include the W2 form AND confirmation page and are acceptable only if dated within the last 12 months.)
Unacceptable documents:
- Bank statements
- Cell phone bills
- Credit card statements
- Utility connection or deposit receipt
- Employer letters
- Extended stay hotel receipts
- Magazine subscriptions or junk mail
- Personal or business postmarked mail
- Prescription bottles
- USCIS identity documents (i.e. I-551, I-766, Visas, etc.)
- Hunting, fishing or boating licenses
- Letters from a public or private school or educational institution
+ Proof of Relationship
Domicile may also be established through proof of relationship to a spouse, parent/child, sibling, or grandparent.
A. The spouse, parent/child, sibling, or grandparent of a CDL applicant needing to use a relative's address and domicile documents MUST hold a valid Tennessee driver license or identification license.
B. The CDL applicant will be required to present two (2) items with a Tennessee residential address from the list of acceptable domicile documents in the name of the immediate relative. This relative must be present at the time of application! This is required for all transfers from out of state and for class D upgrades.
C. CDL applicants using items in the name of one of these immediate relatives as proof of domicile must also provide proof of the relationship such as:
- Spouse = marriage certificate
- Parent/Child = Birth Certificate
- Sibling = both the applicant’s AND the sibling’s birth certificates in order to verify they share at least one common parent.
- Grandparent = applicant's birth certificate AND birth certificate of the applicant's parent.
(This is necessary to show that the grandparent is the mother/father of the applicant’s parent)
How do I obtain a CDL learner's permit?
To obtain your permit, you must take and pass the CDL general knowledge test. Full-Service Driver Service Centers throughout the state** offer the CDL general knowledge test and the knowledge tests for any endorsement needed.
Practice tests are available online: CDL Practice Tests
Is a temporary CDL authorized?
No. The Temporary Driver License is not available to cover any type of commercial motor vehicle.
Which tests are required when adding an endorsement to a CDL?
Per federal regulation §383.93, paragraph C:
The following tests are required for endorsements:
(c)(1) Double/Triple Trailers - a knowledge test;
(c)(2) Passenger - knowledge and a skills test;
(c)(3) Tank vehicle - a knowledge test;
(c)(4) Hazardous Materials - a knowledge test; and
(c)(5) School bus - knowledge and a skills test.
Download the Commercial Driver License Manual
The Commercial Driver License Manual is available online to download or is available for pick up at Driver Services Centers statewide.
CDL Citation Reporting Information for the Judiciary and Court Clerks
Effective October 1, 2008, the Federal reporting requirement for commercial vehicle convictions was changed from 30 days to 10 days (FMCSA Part 384: State Compliance with Commercial Driver’s License Program, §384.209 Notification of Traffic Violations).
For more information and the new reporting requirements, visit our CDL Citations page.
