Indiana CDL Requirements

Please note that your state and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regularly update these CDL requirements. Please visit the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) website and the FMCSA website for the most authoritative and up-to-date information regarding CDL requirements and processes.

Before you can begin the testing process for either your CDL or CLP, you will need to complete the following:

Steps to Apply for a CDL in Indiana

• Obtain a medical examiner’s certificate (DOT physical) from a licensed examiner approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• Choose the CDL class you will apply for and any endorsements needed
• Visit an Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch office and complete the CDL application form (Form 48230)
• Provide the required documents: proof of identity and legal presence (e.g., valid passport or birth certificate)
• Provide proof of Indiana residency (e.g., utility bill or lease agreement)
• Certify that you are not subject to any of the CDL disqualifications for drivers
• Provide your Social Security card
• Have your fingerprint scanned
• Pass a vision exam
• Have your photograph taken
• Pay applicable fees – the base cost for a CLP in Indiana is $17, and $35 for a CDL; additional fees apply for endorsements

Drivers wishing to take the written knowledge tests to obtain a CLP can fill out the Indiana Commercial Driver’s License Application, then schedule a time to complete the tests. Please note that effective February 7, 2022, you are now also required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) to provide proof of completed applicable entry-level driver training from a registered training provider. Details of this requirement can be found at the FMCSA website. Before beginning the process, please note that testing requires that you be able to speak and read English without a translator.

The State of Indiana will issue your CLP when you have passed the knowledge tests. After a minimum of 14 days of holding your CLP, you are eligible to take the skills test to earn your CDL. To take the CDL skills test in Indiana, you will need to make an appointment at an approved CDL testing site and bring the type of vehicle you will be driving commercially to your exam. (If you are a current or recently honorably discharged military personnel with military truck-driving experience within one year of applying for an Indiana CDL, you may be eligible to waive the skills test. Inquire with your BMV office for details.)

Acceptable Forms of Identification for CDL Testing in Indiana

Valid and unexpired identification is required to take your tests. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• A driver’s license or ID card from a state outside of Indiana that meets Department of Homeland Security Real ID requirements
• A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• A U.S. passport or a U.S. passport card
• A permanent resident card
• A certificate of naturalization
• A certificate of citizenship

The skills tests cover vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and the road test. If you fail any of the skills test segments, the rest of the test will be postponed, and it will count as one failure toward the allowed three attempts. You can retest at a later date for a retest fee. When you pass the test, you will be issued an interim CDL, which is valid for 90 days until you receive your official CDL in the mail.

The BMV office will require that you submit a list of all states in which you have previously held a commercial or personal driver’s license in the last 10 years. You will also be required to pass a background check.

Commercial drivers are only permitted to have a CDL from one state. If you are applying in Indiana with an out-of-state license, your previous license must be cancelled when you receive your Indiana license. It must be current and in good standing, with no open traffic cases that may result in suspension, revocation, or cancellation.

Remember, the most important thing to remember when you receive a ticket is that you should never just pay the ticket or the court fees without first talking to a legal representative who understands trucking laws. While you want to maintain a clean driving record, unforeseen violations can happen. When they do, you need expert legal protection. Drivers Legal Plan, the Nation's Leading CDL Defense Law Firm, is ready to defend your rights and your career.