Michigan CDL Information
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is one of the first steps to a great-paying career as a commercial truck driver. However, in order to drive a commercial vehicle (CMV) in Michigan, you must first obtain a Michigan CDL. Drivers Legal Plan, the Nation’s Leading CDL Defense Law Firm, has summarized many of the steps and requirements for obtaining your CDL in Michigan.
Please note that your state and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regularly update these CDL requirements. Please visit the Michigan Department of State website and the FMCSA website for the most authoritative and up-to-date information regarding CDL requirements and processes.
Michigan residents who wish to operate any vehicle that is classified as commercial need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The general guidelines for what vehicles are classified as commercial are as follows:
Types of Vehicles Requiring a CDL
- Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
- Any combination vehicle towing a trailer or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more, when the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is 26,001 pounds or more
- Any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver), or to carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding
The only exemptions regarding the requirement for a CDL in Michigan are active-duty military operating military vehicles, police officers and firefighters operating authorized emergency vehicles, farmers operating vehicles within a 150-mile radius of their farm, and individuals operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for non-business purposes.
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.