CDL Skills Tests

The CDL skills tests include three areas:

Pre-trip inspection
Basic vehicle control
On-road driving

A DMV representative administers the skills tests in a vehicle provided by you that is in safe working condition. The vehicle must have a valid safety inspection sticker, license plates, local decals as required, registration card and working brakes, safety belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors and speedometer.

You must take the skills test in the type of vehicle in which you want to be licensed. Translators cannot be used.

Only the applicant and the DMV representative are allowed in the vehicle during the road skills test. The test may be taken only once per business day.

If you fail the road skills test three times at a customer service center, you must complete the in-vehicle portion of a Virginia approved Driver Training School program for commercial motor vehicles and bring the certificate of completion to a customer service center to satisfy eligibility requirements for re-examination. You must have completed the course after the date of the third exam failure.

DMV will charge a $50 fee for any missed CDL skills test appointment. You are encouraged to advise test examiners in advance if you are unable to make your scheduled appointment. If you fail to notify the examiner, DMV will bill you for the $50 fee.

You will have 31 days to pay any missed appointment fee. If you do not pay within 31 days, you will be charged a $10 administrative fee and lose the ability to process any DMV-related transactions. Unpaid bills will be subject to further collection efforts and may be reported to the Virginia Department of Taxation.

To schedule an appointment for a CDL skills test, select your nearest customer service center for contact information. For more information, contact us.