Commercial Driver's License Overview

Your CDL expires on your birthday and a late fee will be charged if the license is renewed after that date. If your birthday falls on a day when BMV branches are closed, such as a Sunday or a Monday, your license will remain valid until the end of the next business day.

View the Fee Chart

You will need to obtain a CDL if you operate a commercial motor vehicle that:

• Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds; or
• Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
• Is any size and is carrying hazardous materials which require placarding

• Have a valid Indiana driver's license;
• Have a valid United States Social Security number;
• Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident or qualify for a Non-Domiciled CDL;
• Pass a DOT physical examination and provide the BMV with an valid Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC);
• Obtain a commercial learner’s permit; and
• Pass a skills test in a vehicle class you intend to operate.

A CDL skills exam must be taken at one of the authorized CDL driving skills exam sites. There you will demonstrate your knowledge and skills of operating a commercial motor vehicle.

If your CDL has been expired, disqualified, canceled, revoked, voluntarily surrendered, relinquished, or invalidated for longer than three (3) years, you must meet all application requirements as if you are applying for an initial CDL, including applicable knowledge exams and CDL skills tests. [140 IAC 7-3-17.5(d)].

The DOT Physical Examination forms —Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) — are available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Companies and individual drivers can check the processing status of a Medical Examiner’s Certificate by calling 888-692-6841 and selecting option number three.

Your certified physician will send the MEC to the National Registry, and the National Registry will electronically submit the information to the state of record to be applied to the driving record.

If you have questions regarding your MEC or want to know the status of your forms, view your Driver Record using your myBMV account or contact the BMV at 888-692-6841.

To qualify for a non-domiciled CLP/CDL you must provide the following Lawful Status documents:

• Valid foreign passport (excluding Canada and Mexico)
• Valid I-94 with one of the following class of admissions codes:
  • H-2A - Temporary Agricultural Workers; 
  • H-2B - Temporary Non-agricultural Workers; or
  • E-2 - Treaty Investors.

All other requirements are listed below:

• Have a valid Indiana driver's license;
• Have documentation required for Real ID;
• Have a valid United States Social Security number; 
• Have a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) on file with the BMV;
• Obtain a commercial learner’s permit;
• Pass a skills test in the vehicle class you intend to operate; and
• Watch an instructional video on how to recognize, prevent, and report human trafficking.

A CDL skills exam must be taken at one of the authorized 3rd Party CDL Skills Test sites. There you will demonstration your knowledge and skills of operating a commercial motor vehicle.

A non-domiciled CLP/CDL holder must present their Identity and Lawful Status documents in person, at a branch, for all CLP/CDL transactions processed.   

Non-domiciled CLP/CDL applicants must submit lawful status documents for pre-approval after a reinstatement of any disqualification.