CDL License Cost in Every State
CDL license cost is the set of fees your state charges for the commercial learner's permit, the knowledge and skills tests, the license and any endorsements. Where a state publishes every one of those fees, a first Class A CDL costs $104 to $355 in state fees. School tuition is a separate cost and is not included here.
What the calculator counts
- Only fees the state itself publishes. Where a fee is missing, the line says Not published by the state and the total reads "At least", because the real amount is higher by an unknown sum.
- Where a state lists an endorsement fee but does not say whether it applies to a first CDL, the line says "May apply" and the fee stays out of the total.
- Fees charged per year use the term the state publishes, shown as the sum: for example Iowa's $8 a year × 8 years = $64. If the term is not published, the yearly fee is shown on its own.
- Third-party skills testers, the DOT medical exam, the federal TSA hazmat check and school tuition are listed under the total, never in it.
- County or agent service fees and card payment fees are not included unless the state's own figure includes them.
What the state charges for each step
Getting a commercial license is a sequence, and most states charge at each step:
- Commercial learner's permit. You pass the knowledge tests for the class you want and get a CLP. Some states charge for each test, some fold the tests into the permit fee.
- Skills test. After holding the permit for a set time (West Virginia, for example, says 14 days), you take the pre-trip, basic control and road test. Some states charge for it, some fold it into the license fee, and some leave it to private testers.
- The license. The CDL itself, usually priced by class or by the length of the license.
- Endorsements. Hazmat (H), tank (N), passenger (P), school bus (S), doubles and triples (T), or tank and hazmat (X). Each needs its own test, and most states charge for it.
CDL permit cost by state
The permit is the first state fee you pay. It runs from $2.50 in South Carolina to $125 in New Jersey, where the fee is the examination receipt. How long it lasts also varies: Mississippi, New Jersey, Texas and Wisconsin give 180 days or 6 months, and Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Oregon and Vermont give a year. Georgia makes you pay its $10 permit fee again before every testing attempt, so a failed test costs more than the retest.
Class A CDL cost by state
Each row lists the fees the state publishes for a Class A CDL. Where a state does not publish a fee, the cell says Not published by the state. We do not fill the gap with another fee. Rows marked Partial are missing at least one fee; Archive copy means the live page could not be reached when we checked. Use the calculator for Class B or C, other terms and the options some states offer.
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Showing all 51.
| State | CDL license (Class A) | Permit (CLP) | Skills test | Endorsements | Renewal | Valid for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlabamaPartial | A $66.25, B $56.25, C $36.25 | $36.25 | $20 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Checked on:ALEA document requirements and fees |
| AlaskaPartial | $100 | $15 | $25 | Not published by the state | $100 | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Alaska DMV license fees |
| ArizonaPartial | A $25, B $25, C $12.50 | A $25, B $25, C $12.50Valid 12 months | A $25, B $25, C $12.50 | H $10, N $10, P $10, S $0, T $10 | A $15, B $15, C $10 | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:ADOT MVD: getting your CDL ADOT MVD: managing your CDL |
| ArkansasPartial | $50 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | 5 years | Checked on:Arkansas DFA: recent changes in the law |
| CaliforniaPartial | A $100, B $100, C $59 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | H $59, N $59, P $100, T $59 when added to a CDL | $59 | Not published by the state | Checked on:California DMV licensing fees |
| ColoradoPartial | $35 | $20 | Set by the third-party tester | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Checked on:Colorado DMV state fees |
| Connecticut | $70 | $20 | $30 | $5 test each | $70 | 4 years | Checked on:CT DMV: get a commercial driver license |
| DelawarePartial | $30 | $30 | Not published by the state | $10 each listed; when it applies is not stated | $30 | 5 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Delaware DMV fee schedule |
| District of ColumbiaPartial | $117 | $78 | $10 | $20 each | $117 | Not published by the state | Checked on:DC DMV fees |
| FloridaPartial | $75 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $7 each listed; when it applies is not stated | $75 | Not published by the state | Checked on:FLHSMV fees |
| Georgia | $32 | $10Valid 365 days | $50 | $5 each | $32 | 8 years | Checked on:Georgia DDS fees and terms |
| HawaiiNo first-CDL totalSource dated 2017 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $50 | $5 test each | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Checked on:Hawaii DOT: how to apply for a CDL (2017)The only official source we found is dated 2017. Check with the state before you pay. |
| Idaho | $40 | $29 | $10 plus up to $190, paid to the skills examiner | $5 test each | $40 | 4 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Idaho ITD: commercial driver's license |
| IllinoisNo first-CDL total | Not published by the state | $50 | Not published by the state | $5 per change, not per endorsement | $60 | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Illinois SOS basic fees |
| IndianaPartial | $35 | $17 | Not published by the state | $19 each when added to a CDL | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Checked on:Indiana BMV fee chart |
| IowaPartial | $8 a year ($64 for 8 years) | $12Valid 1 year | Not published by the state | H $5, N $5, P $10, S $10, T $5, X $10 | $8 a year ($64 for 8 years) | 8 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Iowa DOT license fees |
| KansasPartial | $26 | $13 | $15 | $10 each | $26 | Not published by the state | Checked on:Kansas license fee chart |
| KentuckyPartial | $18.75 to $45CDL add-on to your license (prorated) | $11Valid 1 year | Not published by the state | S endorsement application fee $24 (Class A) or $9 (Class B); other endorsement fees not published | $88 | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Kentucky drive.ky.gov CDL Kentucky CDL pricing (PDF) |
| LouisianaPartial | $61.50 | Not published by the state | $100 with your own vehicle, paid to the third-party tester | $7.50 each | Not published by the state | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Louisiana OMV FAQs |
| MainePartial | $34 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $20 each | $34 | 5 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Maine BMV license and examination fees |
| MarylandNo first-CDL total | Not published by the state | $106 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $64 | 8 years | Checked on:Maryland MVA license and ID fees |
| MassachusettsNo first-CDL total | Not published by the state | $30 | $35 | $10 each | $75 | Not published by the state | Checked on:Mass.gov: apply for a CLP Mass.gov: renew your CDL Mass.gov: CDL road tests |
| MichiganPartial | $25 | Not published by the state | Set by the third-party tester | H $5, N $5, P $5, S $5, T $5, X $10 | $25 | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Michigan SOS license and ID Michigan SOS: apply for a CDL |
| MinnesotaPartial | A $65, B $57, C $50 | $26.75 | Not published by the state | $2.50 test each | A $60, B $52, C $45 | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Minnesota DPS license fees Minn. Stat. 171.06 |
| MississippiPartial | $55 | $16Valid 6 months | Not published by the state | H $100, N $5, P $5, S $5, T $5 listed; when it applies is not stated | Not published by the state | 5 years | Checked on:Mississippi DPS driver service fees |
| MissouriPartial | $58 | $19 | $25 | Not published by the state | $58 | 6 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Missouri DOR: commercial license Missouri DOR fee chart |
| MontanaPartial | $41.72 | $41.72 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Montana MVD licensing fees |
| NebraskaPartial | $60 | $15 | Not published by the state | $15 per change, not per endorsement | $60 | 5 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Nebraska DMV: CDL Nebraska DMV: commercial learner permit |
| Nevada | $111.50CDL with knowledge tests | $57.50 | $30 | $14 each when added to a CDL | $111.50 | 8 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Nevada DMV license fees |
| New HampshirePartial | $60 | $20 | Not published by the state | $10 each | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Checked on:NH DMV licensing fees |
| New JerseyPartial | $42 | $125Valid 180 days | Not published by the state | $2 each | $42 | Not published by the state | Checked on:NJ MVC license fees |
| New MexicoPartial | $18 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $18 | 4 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:New Mexico MVD: CDL fee |
| New YorkNo first-CDL total | Not published by the state | $10 | $40 | Not published by the state | $164.50 | 8 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:NY DMV: get a CDL NY DMV: renew a CDL |
| North CarolinaPartialArchive copy | $25.50 a year | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $5 a year each | $25.50 a year | Not published by the state | Checked on:NCDOT 2024 DMV fee adjustment (PDF)Checked from an archived copy of the official page dated October 8, 2026. The live page could not be reached on November 4, 2026. |
| North DakotaPartial | $15 | $15 | $5 | $3 each | $15 | Not published by the state | Checked on:NDDOT: commercial driver license NDDOT: license renewal |
| OhioPartial | $46.50 | $31.50 | State fee not published, or a third-party tester | Not published by the state | $49.25 | 4 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Ohio BMV documents and fees |
| OklahomaPartial | A $81.50, B $71.50, C $61.50 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | The application fee again: $25 (Class A) or $15 (Class B or C), per change | A $56.50, B $56.50, C $46.50 | 4 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Oklahoma: CDL first-time applicants Oklahoma: CDL renewal and replacement |
| OregonPartial | $160CDL upgrade of your Oregon license | $40Valid 1 year | $145 at the state, or a third-party tester | $30 per change, not per endorsement | $104 | Not published by the stateOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Oregon DMV CDL fees |
| PennsylvaniaPartial | $43.50 to $109.50Upgrade to a commercial license | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | H $43.50, N $21.50, P $21.50, S $21.50, T $21.50, X $43.50 per change, not per endorsement | $127.50 | 4 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:PennDOT payments and fees |
| Rhode IslandPartial | $43.50New CDL from a CLP | $73.50 | $103.50 | Not published by the state | $103.50 | 5 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:RI DMV commercial fees |
| South CarolinaPartial | $25 | $2.50 | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | 8 years | Checked on:SCDMV fees SCDMV: getting your first CDL |
| South DakotaPartial | $43 | $43 | Set by the third-party tester | $20 each | $43 | Not published by the state | Checked on:South Dakota DPS license fees |
| TennesseePartialArchive copy | A $70, B $62, C $62 | A $14, B $13, C $13 | Not published by the state | H $8.50, N $8.50, P $8.50, S $26, T $8.50 | Not published by the state | 8 years | Checked on:Tennessee driver services feesChecked from an archived copy of the official page dated October 23, 2026. The live page could not be reached on November 4, 2026. |
| TexasPartialArchive copy | $97 | $25Valid 180 days | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $97 | 8 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Texas DPS driver license feesChecked from an archived copy of the official page dated October 11, 2026. The live page could not be reached on November 4, 2026. |
| UtahPartial | $78CDL with driving skills test | Not published by the state | Included in the license fee | $9 each | $52 | 5 years | Checked on:Utah DLD fees |
| Vermont | $108 | $18Valid 1 year | $39 | $17 test each | $108 | 4 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Vermont DMV CDL fees |
| VirginiaPartial | $64 | $3 | Not published by the state | $1 a year ($8 for 8 years) each | Not published by the state | 8 years | Checked on:Virginia DMV: applying for a CDL |
| WashingtonPartial | $37 to $156CDL added to your license ($20 plus $17 a year left) | $40 | $175 | $20 each | $163 | 6 yearsOther terms or options in the calculator | Checked on:Washington DOL licensing fees |
| West VirginiaNo first-CDL total | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | $100, paid to the third-party examiner | $10 each | Not published by the state | Not published by the state | Checked on:WV DMV: commercial driver's license WV DMV: license and renewal fees |
| Wisconsin | $74 | $30Valid 180 days | Set by the third-party tester | H $67.25, N $5, P $5, S $10, T $5, X $5 when added to a CDL | $74 | 8 years | Checked on:Wisconsin DMV fees |
| WyomingPartial | $55 | $45 | $85 | Not published by the state | $45 | Not published by the state | Checked on:WYDOT driver license FAQ WYDOT commercial testing |
CDL endorsement fees: H, N, P, S, T and X
States charge for endorsements in four different ways, which is why the same choice can cost very different amounts:
- A fee for each endorsement (17 states and DC). New Jersey adds $2 for each, Arizona $10 (school bus is free), New Hampshire $10 and Maine $20.
- A fee only when added later: California, Indiana, Nevada and Wisconsin. These states list a fee for adding an endorsement to an existing CDL but do not say whether it is charged at first issue, so the calculator shows "May apply" for a first CDL.
- One fee per change: Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Adding two endorsements on one visit costs one fee.
- A yearly fee: North Carolina and Virginia. Virginia adds $1 a year for each endorsement, $8 over its 8-year license.
- The test fee only: Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota and Vermont.
Delaware, Florida, Kentucky and Mississippi list an endorsement amount without saying how it applies, and 14 states publish no endorsement fee at all.
CDL renewal cost and how long a CDL lasts
Where the term is published, a CDL lasts 4 to 8 years. 10 states issue 8-year CDLs, including Georgia, Iowa, Maryland and Nevada. Hazmat can shorten that: Texas limits a hazmat CDL to 5 years at $61, Georgia limits a CDL with H or X to 5 years, and New Mexico will not issue an 8-year license to hazmat holders.
REAL ID and enhanced CDLs
A CDL can also be a REAL ID, and a few states price that version differently. Kentucky, Maine and Montana list separate REAL ID CDL fees, Arizona's Travel ID renewal is $25, and Oregon adds $30 for its REAL ID option. Vermont, New York, Washington and Michigan sell enhanced CDLs. For the standard license and ID card side, see what a REAL ID costs in each state.
Hazmat endorsement and the TSA fee
A hazmat (H or X) endorsement needs a federal security threat assessment on top of the state fee. TSA says the fee for new and renewing applicants rose to $88.25 from October 1, 2026, and stays at $41 for applicants who already hold a valid TWIC. You pay it to TSA's enrollment provider, not the state, so the calculator lists it under the total. Some states add their own hazmat charges: Wisconsin lists $67.25 plus $23.75 for fingerprinting, Pennsylvania $43.50 to upgrade to hazmat, and South Dakota a $63 hazmat renewal.
Source: TSA HAZMAT Endorsement, read November 4, 2026.
CDL school cost is separate
Most of the money in getting a CDL goes to training, not the state. Schools, community colleges and carrier programs set their own prices, and no state publishes them, so we do not show a figure. When you compare offers, ask whether the price includes the truck for the skills test and any retest, because in Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan and South Dakota and others the test itself is given by a private tester.
Moving to a new state with a CDL? You usually transfer it within a set time of becoming a resident, often around when you re-register your car. Our guide to registering your car in a new state covers the vehicle side.
How we found these fees
We read every figure on the state agency's own fee page, CDL page, FAQ, fee chart or statute on November 4, 2026: 45 from live pages and 3 from official PDFs. For North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, the live page could not be reached that day, so the figures come from an archived copy of the official page, and their rows say so. Hawaii's only official CDL fee sheet is from 2017. Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and West Virginia publish no complete set of fees for a first CDL. Read more about how we source and check fees.
CDL fee questions
How much does a CDL cost?
In state fees, a first Class A CDL with no endorsements costs from $104 in Wisconsin to $355 in Oregon, counting only the 7 states that publish every fee in the calculator. Most states leave at least one fee unpublished, so the calculator shows their total as "at least". School or carrier training, the medical exam and any third-party test are extra.
How much is a CDL permit?
The commercial learner's permit runs from $2.50 in South Carolina to $125 in New Jersey. Some states fold tests into that fee: New York's $10 permit fee covers the knowledge and endorsement tests taken at the same time, and Massachusetts' $30 covers the written test.
Does a Class A CDL cost more than a Class B?
Only in a few states. Alabama, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Tennessee charge more for Class A. Everywhere else that publishes the fee, Classes A, B and C cost the same, and the difference comes from the tests and endorsements you need.
Do I pay for each endorsement?
Usually, but not always. 17 states and DC list a fee for each endorsement. Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon and Pennsylvania charge one fee per change instead. North Carolina and Virginia charge per endorsement per year of the license, and in Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota and Vermont the only listed charge is the endorsement test.
Is the skills test included in the CDL fee?
In some states. Utah's $78 CDL fee covers the driving skills test, and Nevada's $141.50 original fee covers both test types. In Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin, private testers give the skills test and set their own price, which is not in our totals. Ohio and Oregon let you choose a state site or a third-party tester.
Is CDL school included in these costs?
No. Schools and carrier training programs set their own prices, and no state publishes them, so this page leaves them out. If a carrier offers to pay for your training, read what you would owe if you leave before the agreed time.
Related DMV fee guides
- REAL ID cost by state: the REAL ID license and renewal fee in every state and DC.
- Registering a car after a move: what you pay and do to re-register in your new state.
- How we source our data: where our fee figures come from and how often we check them.