Minnesota CDL Requirements

Please note that your state and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regularly update these CDL requirements. Please visit the Minnesota Department of Safety’s Driver & Vehicle Services (DVS) website and the FMCSA website for the most authoritative and up-to-date information regarding CDL requirements and processes.

If you have fulfilled the commercial learner’s permit (CLP) requirements and your driving record is in good standing in the state of Minnesota, you may begin the application and skills testing process to obtain your CDL.

Please note that, effective February 7, 2022, you are also required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 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. CLP and CDL testing require that you be able to speak and read English without a translator.

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 – Required to demonstrate that the vehicle is safe to drive. The license examiner will walk around your vehicle with you as you point to and name each item that requires inspection and explain why.
• Skills Test – Requires you 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 accompanied by a license examiner to demonstrate your driving skills and knowledge. You must bring the same type of vehicle you plan to operate with your CDL to the driving test.

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

CDL Application Requirements in Minnesota

• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (e.g., U.S. passport, birth certificate, or permanent residency card).
  If your legal name has changed, you must also provide certified proof, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
• Provide your Social Security number
• Complete the Commercial Driver’s License Medical Self-Certification form
• Pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical exam performed by a licensed medical examiner
• Provide proof of Minnesota residency (a current Minnesota driver’s license is acceptable)
• Pass a vision test

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

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.