Nevada 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 Nevada, you must first obtain a Nevada 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 Nevada.
Please note that your state and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regularly update these CDL requirements. Please visit the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website and the FMCSA website for the most authoritative and up-to-date information regarding CDL requirements and processes.
Note: Effective November 2024, drivers in a “prohibited” status in FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will lose their state-issued commercial driving privileges. Learn more at clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov.
The state of Nevada complies with federal regulations for commercial vehicles, requiring that drivers who want to obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) be at least 18 years of age. Additionally, you will be required to provide proper original identity documentation and residency documents.
There are three classes of commercial driver’s licenses in the state of Nevada, based on the type of vehicle you plan to drive:
Class A: Class A is required when you have a combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 26,000 pounds, and if the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the trailer is more than 10,000 pounds.
Class B: Class B is required when a single vehicle weighs 26,001 pounds or more, or you’re towing a vehicle with a GVWR of fewer than 10,000 pounds.
Class C: Class C is required for vehicles that don’t meet the weight requirements of Class A or Class B but are designed to carry at least 16 people or are placarded for hazardous materials.
In addition to your CDL, you may need certain endorsements depending on the type of vehicle you’ll be driving and the cargo you’ll haul. These include
CDL Endorsement Codes
- T – Double or triple trailers
- P – Passenger vehicles
- N – Tank vehicles
- H – Hazardous materials
- X – Hazardous materials and tankers
- S – School buses
You will be able to test for these endorsements when you take the written knowledge tests for your commercial learner’s permit.
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.