Commercial Driver's License Overview
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements are stricter than any other Indiana driver's license and are based upon stringent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Individuals who hold an Indiana CDL are permitted to operate the following vehicles:
- Commercial motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 26,000 pounds
- Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more people, including the driver; and vehicles used to transport hazardous materials.
Are you a commercially-operated company?
Easily monitor the status of your employees' driving records using IDEL.
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH)
State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) are required to remove the commercial driving privileges or deny CLP/CDL transactions for any applicant that has a status of Prohibited on DACH until FMCSA updates their status on DACH to Not Prohibited. Indiana will begin querying DACH September 23, 2024. For additional information on DACH, please visit the Clearinghouse website.
Frequently Asked Questions About CDLs
- When does my CDL expire, and how much does it cost to renew?
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.
- When Do I Need a CDL?
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
- How Do I Obtain a CDL?
- 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.
- How do I submit my medical forms?
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.