Iowa CDL Requirements

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

Before you are eligible to apply for a CDL in Iowa, you must obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). The permit will be issued after you pass the applicable knowledge tests and must be held for at least 14 days before you can begin the skills testing to obtain your CDL.

To qualify for a CLP, you must pass the required knowledge tests, which cover the following subject matter:

Knowledge Tests Required to Qualify for a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) in Iowa

To qualify for a CLP, you must pass the required knowledge tests, which cover the following subjects:

• General Knowledge – required for any CDL
• Combination Vehicle – required for a Class A CDL
• Air Brakes – required to operate vehicles with air brake systems
• Passengers – required to transport passengers
• School Buses – required to operate a school bus
• Doubles/Triples – required to pull double or triple trailers
• Hazmat – required to transport hazardous materials
• Tanks – required to drive tank vehicles
• Iowa Operator – required if applicable to your driving category

During the period in which you hold your CLP, you are allowed to drive the type and class of commercial vehicle for which you are training to be licensed, while accompanied by another driver who has a valid CDL for the same type of commercial vehicle. You are not allowed to drive a commercial vehicle by yourself, use a cell phone while driving a commercial vehicle, carry passengers while operating a commercial vehicle, drive a commercial vehicle containing hazmat or a tank vehicle that previously carried hazmat and has not been purged of residue, or drive a tank vehicle containing cargo.

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, current CDL holders who wish to upgrade their existing license to include an endorsement or remove a restriction must also apply for a CLP and pass the required skills and knowledge tests for the desired endorsement or restriction they want to remove.

After you’ve held your CLP for at least 14 days, you are eligible to take the skills and driving tests for your CDL. The skills test has three phases:

CDL Skills Testing Requirements

• Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test – You must demonstrate that the vehicle is safe to drive. The license examiner will walk around the vehicle with you as you point out and name each item that requires inspection, explaining its purpose and importance.
• Skills Test – You will be required to demonstrate your ability to maneuver the vehicle, including backing up and navigating around cones or other obstacles.
• Driving Test – You will drive on public roads while accompanied by a license examiner to demonstrate your ability to safely and effectively operate a commercial vehicle under real-world conditions.

Before you can complete the Iowa CDL tests, you must meet the following requirements:

CDL Application Requirements in Iowa

• Provide proof of full name, date of birth, and Social Security number
• Provide proof of citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or an employment authorization document (EAD) or I-94 document
• Provide proof of Iowa residency (a current Iowa driver’s license is acceptable)
• Pass a vision test
• Have a clear driving record in all other states, confirming eligibility for commercial licensing in any state
• Provide certification on how you will use the commercial vehicle (this may require a valid medical certificate)
• Be between 18 and 72 years old and have a current Iowa driver’s license

Applicants must pass a medical exam and maintain a medical certificate to ensure physical ability to operate a commercial vehicle. The exam must be completed by one of the following:

• Licensed U.S. doctor of medicine (M.D.)
• Doctor of osteopathy (D.O.)
• Licensed physician assistant (P.A.)
• Advanced practice registered nurse
• Chiropractor

For drivers seeking a hazmat endorsement, a federal background check and federal fingerprint check will also be required.

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