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Obtaining a Commercial Driver's License

Prior to obtaining a CDL, you must obtain a commercial learner’s permit by passing the appropriate knowledge exam (written test) for the vehicle type you plan to operate. All CDL written tests and skills exams are valid for 180 days.

Knowledge (Written Test) and Skills Examinations

To obtain a CDL in Indiana, you must pass applicable written test(s) and a CDL skills exam in a vehicle representative of the class of CDL you will receive. The CDL skills exam must be taken at a BMV-authorized examination site and consists of a pre-trip inspection exam, a basic control skills exam, and the road trip exam. Authorized examination sites electronically transmit the skills exam results to the BMV to increase security and accuracy.

An applicant must hold the commercial learner’s permit (CLP) 14 days prior to attempting the CDL skills exam. Appointments for the CDL skills exam must be scheduled with the approved 3rd Party CDL skills test site at least two days prior to the CDL skills exam date.

Medical Examination

When applying for your first CDL (or CLP) in Indiana, you must provide a valid Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC). To maintain a valid CLP or CDL, you must provide a valid MER and MEC prior to the expiration of your current MER and MEC on file with the BMV.

Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT)

Beginning July 1, 2023, all first time CDL applicants must watch an instructional video on how to recognize, prevent, and report human trafficking. Applicants will be required to attest to having watched the instructional video when applying for a CDL.

Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) is an organization that exists to educate, equip, empower, and mobilize members of the trucking, bus and energy industries to combat human trafficking. The Truckers Against Trafficking Training Video is available to view on their website at no cost.

Visit truckersagainsttrafficking.org for information on how you can get involved, including the following resources:

  • Informational videos
  • Brochures
  • Webinars
  • Training for drivers and industry partners
  • Certifications
  • Individual partnerships

Truckers Against Trafficking logo

If human trafficking is ever suspected, please make an anonymous call to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888. If you are witnessing a crime in progress, please call 911.

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is providing this external link to the Truckers Against Trafficking as a convenience and for training purposes. Training on this topic is required as part of House Enrolled Act 1196-2023. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

Truck Driver Training Schools

A business enterprise that educates, trains, or otherwise prepares a person to operate a commercial motor vehicle is approved by the bureau to operate in the state if the business enterprise is listed on the Training Provider Registry as described in 49 CFR Part 380.

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations set the baseline for training requirements for entry-level drivers. The ELDT regulations are effective February 7, 2022.

The regulations affect those who are applying to:

  • Obtain a Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time;
  • Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
  • Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.

The ELDT regulations are not retroactive. If an applicant obtained a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or CDL prior to February 7, 2022 in the above situations the applicant is not subject to the ELDT requirements.

When applicants visit a branch to complete a hazardous materials knowledge exam, BMV branch staff will verify training prior to administration of the exam.

For applicants for the Class A/B, School Bus or Passenger endorsement the training will be verified by the 3rd Party CDL Skills Test site prior to scheduling the CDL skills test.