If you must meet the federal or Virginia motor carrier safety regulations, you must provide a valid current Department of Transportation "Medical Examiner's Certificate". All drivers must certify that they are in compliance with the federal or Virginia motor carrier safety regulations or that they do not have to comply with them. Refer to the Code of Federal Regulations for an explanation of these safety requirements. The "Medical Examiner's Certificate" may be downloaded from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration web site or purchased from the Virginia Trucking Association at 804-355-5371.
Selective Service Registration
Generally, males under age 26 must register with the Selective Service. If you are required by federal law to register with the Selective Service, you must authorize DMV to send your personal information to the Selective Service unless you have already registered. If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must sign your application authorizing the Selective Service to register you when you turn 18. Law prohibits DMV from issuing any type of driver's license or photo ID card to an applicant who is required by federal law to register with the Selective Service but who refuses to authorize DMV to send his information to the Selective Service. If you have questions about Selective Service registration, visit the Selective Service web site at www.sss.gov or call 847-688-6888, TTY: 847-688-2567.
COMPLETED APPLICATION
When applying for a CDL or CDL instruction permit, you must complete an application for a Virginia driver's license (form DL 1M). You may complete this form before or after coming to DMV. Use your full legal name. Abbreviations and nicknames will not be accepted. For your convenience, you also may apply to register to vote or change your voter registration address when you apply for your CDL. Additionally, you may indicate your desire to become an organ donor.
PAYMENT
Normally your Virginia CDL expires on your birthday and will expire when you reach an age that is divisible by five -- 20, 25, 30, 35, etc. Your first license will be valid for three to seven years, depending on your age when the license is issued. The CDL licensing fee is $8.00 per year; so, your fee will range from $24.00 to $56.00. Endorsement(s) cost an additional $1.00 per year. A CDL instruction permit costs $3.00.
License Period Cost
3 Years $24.00
4 Years $32.00
5 Years $40.00
6 Years $48.00
7 Years $56.00
A standard CDL renewal license with no endorsements costs $40.00 and is valid for 5 years.
For many individuals authorized to be in the U.S. temporarily, a CDL would be valid only for the amount of time that an individual is legally permitted to stay in the U.S. The expiration of the CDL will be the same as the expiration date shown on the document to prove legal presence. If the document does not show an expiration date, the CDL will be valid for one year. The CDL will cost $8 per year. A partial year will be rounded to the next full year. So if the CDL is issued for less than one year, the cost is $8.
TESTING
Tests may include a vision screening, CDL knowledge exams and a road skills test. You may also need to take the two-part driver's license knowledge exam. A DMV representative will tell you which tests you need to take. Refer also to CDL skills test eligibility requirements.
ISSUANCE
Once you pass your required testing, a DMV representative will take your photograph and ask you to sign a signature pad. In most circumstances, your photograph and information will be processed while you wait. Your name will be called when your driver's license is ready.
See also:
Applying for a Driver's License
Persons convicted of certain sexual offenses (as listed in Va. Code § 46.2-323) must register with the Virginia Department of State Police as provided in § 19.2-298.1.
