CDL Skills Test Eligibility Requirements
The CDL skills tests consist of three areas:
- Pre-trip inspection
- Basic vehicle control
- On-road driving
To be eligible to take these tests:
- You must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for an intrastate CDL
- You must be at least 21 years of age to be eligible for an interstate CDL
- You must hold a valid Virginia driver's license.
- For the type of vehicle you wish to drive, you must:
- Have held a CDL instruction permit for a minimum of 30 days,
- Provide evidence that you have previously held a CDL, OR
- Provide a valid certification from a driver training school designed specifically for commercial drivers.
- You must have successfully completed all applicable CDL knowledge exams for the type of class and endorsement you wish to hold.
- Your driving privileges must not be currently suspended or revoked by any licensing jurisdiction.
- You must pass the required vision screening for commercial drivers.
- You must provide a properly registered vehicle of the type you wish to drive for the on-road driving test.
- You must be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to:
- Converse with the general public,
- Understand highway traffic signs and signals,
- Respond to official inquiries, AND
- Make entries on reports and records.
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.
For information about testing locations, contact us. The approximate time required to take the 3-part skills test is 90 minutes.
To schedule an appointment for a CDL skills test, select your nearest Customer Service Center for contact information. The approximate time required to take the 3-part skills test is 90 minutes.
