The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) may waive certain commercial driver’s (CDL) testing requirement testing for qualified veterans and active-duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) during their military service if the applicant applies within two years of discharge and meets all requirements.
Military applicants must pass the required written test(s); prove that he/she is regularly employed (or was regularly employed) in a military position requiring operation of a CMV within one year; and certify that during the two years immediately preceding the application for an Indiana CDL he/she meets the following requirements:
- Has not had more than one license (except for a military license);
- Has not had any license suspended, revoked, or cancelled;
- Has not had any convictions for any type of motor vehicle for the disqualifying offenses contained in § 383.51(b);
- Has not had more than one conviction for any type of motor vehicle for serious traffic violations contained in § 383.51(c); and
- Has not had any conviction for a violation of military, State or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control (other than a parking violation) arising in connection with any traffic accident, and has no record of an accident in which he/she was at fault.
- Was operating a vehicle representative of the CMV the driver applicant operates or expects to operate.
Qualifications for the Even Exchange Program
This program allows qualified military drivers to be exempt from the knowledge test for obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL).
When used with the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver, this allows a driver to exchange a military license for a CDL. Military personnel can use this skills test waiver if currently licensed and are or were employed within the past two years (24 months) in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle.
To qualify for this program, military personnel should have one of the below military occupational specialty or occupational classification:
- U.S. Army:
- 88M - Motor Transport Operator
- 92F - Fueler
- 14T - Patriot Launching Station Operator
- U.S. Marine Corps:
- 3531 - Motor Vehicle Operator
- U.S. Navy:
- EO - Equipment Operator
- U.S. Air Force:
- 2TI - Vehicle Operator
- 2FO - Fueler
- 3E2 - Pavement and Construction Equipment Operator
Steps to Apply
- Visit a BMV branch,
- Collect necessary documentation:
- Complete, save, and print the "Application for Military Skills Test Waiver" form; Secure the signature of the applicant’s Commanding Officer, or responsible person in his/her military chain of command, attesting to the applicant’s military driving experience; and
- Provide copy of DD214 or proof currently active duty; and
- Provide letter from commander stating applicant has operated a CMV for at least two years immediately preceding discharge from the military; and
- A copy of military license.
- Use one of the following options to submit the completed application packet and contact phone number.
- Drop documents off at any BMV branch; or
- Mail to:
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Attn: CDL Programs
100 North Senate Avenue
IGCN, Room N 481
Indianapolis, IN 46204
- Applications will be processed and the applicant will be contacted once the submitted documents are verified.
