Ohio CDL Requirements

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

The minimum requirements for every applicant seeking either a CLP or CDL in Ohio include the following:

CDL Eligibility Requirements in Ohio

• Must be at least 18 years of age and meet the requirements for an Ohio driver’s license
• Certify that you are in agreement with Ohio’s motor carrier safety regulations
• Provide proof of passing score on a medical exam
• Provide proof of passing score on a vision exam
• Provide proof of legal presence and Ohio residency (a Social Security number is required)

(Acceptable documents for proof of legal presence include: a valid passport, visa, I-94, DS2019, or I-2,  and proof of Social Security number)

Applicants for either a CLP or CDL who meet the above requirements may then pay the applicable fees and prepare for testing. You will be required to pass the appropriate knowledge tests, which vary slightly depending on the class of vehicle you will be driving, as well as a skills test, which covers:

CDL Skills Test Components

• Pre-trip inspection
• Basic maneuverability
• Road test

The knowledge tests can be completed at any driver exam station in Ohio, and skills tests can be completed at any CDL skills testing location in Ohio. The road test portion of your skills test must be completed in the type of vehicle you plan to drive with your CDL.

Driver Self-Certification in Ohio
Applicants for either a CLP or a CDL must self-certify the type of driving they plan to do, as described in the following four categories defined by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Self-certification can be done online (except for category 1), by email, mail, or fax, or in person at any deputy registrar license agency.

Category 1
Non-Excepted Interstate: CDL holders who drive across state lines or transport freight that has or will cross state lines must meet federal medical requirements, subject to 49 CFR part 391. The driver must submit a medical card to the Ohio BMV.

Category 2
Excepted Interstate: CDL holders who drive across state lines but do not need to meet federal medical requirements. Operating exclusively in transportation or operations excepted under 49 CFR 390.3(f), 391.2, 39168, or 398.3.

Category 3
Non-Excepted Intrastate: CDL holders who drive exclusively in Ohio and do not drive across state lines, but are required to meet state medical requirements.

Category 4
Excepted Intrastate: CDL holders who do not use the CDL for business purposes and are not required to meet state medical requirements. Operating exclusively in transportation or operations excepted from all or part of the state driver qualification requirements (R.C. 4506.03(B)(1-10))

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.