2026 State-by-State Fee Guide
CDL Fees by State
Compare commercial driver’s license, learner’s permit, knowledge test, skills/road test, and endorsement fees across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Find the official licensing agency behind each state’s fee information.
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State-by-state comparison
Compare CDL Fees Across All 50 States + D.C.
Find CDL license fees, commercial learner’s permit (CLP) costs, application charges, written knowledge tests, driving skills tests, and endorsement prices. Use each state’s official fee-source link for transaction-specific requirements.
| State / District | CDL License / Issuance Fee | CLP / Permit Fee | Application Fee | Knowledge Test Fee | CDL Skills / Road Test Fee | Endorsement Fee | Official Fee Source URL | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Class A $66.25; Class B $56.25; Class C $36.25 | $36.25 | Included | $25 | $20 | — | alea.gov ↗ | License fees vary by CDL class. CLP and knowledge-test charges are separate; avoid counting them twice. |
| Alaska | $100 CDL (standard listing); $120 REAL ID option | $15 | — | — | $25 commercial road test | $5 | dmv.alaska.gov ↗ | CDL costs may differ for REAL ID issuance. Confirm the applicable license transaction with Alaska DMV. |
| Arizona | $25 Class A/B; $12.50 Class C | $25 Class A/B; $12.50 Class C | — | — | $25 Class A/B; $12.50 Class C | $10 H, N, P, T; $0 School Bus (S) | azdot.gov ↗ | Class A/B and Class C fees differ. Adding Passenger or School Bus endorsements can involve an additional road test. |
| Arkansas | $50 / 5-year CDL (Act 753; confirm transaction overlap) | $0 under Arkansas State Police 27 CAR § 50-101(g) | $50 initial application, includes knowledge + skills tests | Included in $50 initial CDL application; new application after 3 failures | Included in $50 initial CDL application | $10 additional endorsement knowledge-test application / attempt | codeofarrules.arkansas.gov ↗ | Five-year CDL fee under Act 753. Initial application covers knowledge and skills testing; confirm the issuance/application transaction before adding fees. |
| California | $100 (Class A/B original combined application) | Included | Included | Included | Covered by original CDL application | $59 tank/doubles/hazmat; $100 passenger (Class A/B) | dmv.ca.gov ↗ | Original Class A/B application combines several steps. Adding Passenger and other endorsements may have different charges. |
| Colorado | $35 CDL | $20 commercial instruction permit | — | — | Varies by approved testing provider | — | dmv.colorado.gov ↗ | Commercial driving tests are generally administered by approved third-party providers; prices vary. |
| Connecticut | $70 | $20 | Included | $16 general; $5 per endorsement exam | $30 | $5 per endorsement exam | portal.ct.gov ↗ | Knowledge, endorsement, skills, learner-permit, and credential fees may be separate transactions. |
| Delaware | $55 / 8-year CDL; $30 / 5-year Hazmat CDL | $10 commercial learner’s permit | — | — | Not separately listed on DMV schedule | $10 each additional CDL endorsement | news.delaware.gov ↗ | Fees reflect changes effective October 2025. Hazmat CDL validity and pricing can differ. |
| District of Columbia | $117 | $78 | — | $10 per test | $10 CDL road/skills test | $20 | dmv.dc.gov ↗ | Credit or debit card surcharges may apply to licensing transactions. |
| Florida | $75 | 75.00 | Included | Included | No standalone initial CDL skills charge confirmed | $7 each (ordinary CDL endorsements) | flhsmv.gov ↗ | Hazmat endorsements and additional licensing transactions may have different charges. |
| Georgia | $32 (8-year standard) | $10 (per testing attempt) | $35 CAP | Included | $50 per attempt | $5 each; free at initial issuance | dds.georgia.gov ↗ | The application charge covers a defined testing window; the road skills test is separately priced per attempt. |
| Hawaii | $5/year (Honolulu) | $30 CLP application (Honolulu) | — | $15 general knowledge; $5 each special knowledge test | $50 (Honolulu CDL office) | — | honolulu.gov ↗ | These amounts are based on Honolulu schedules; procedures and charges may differ in other counties. |
| Idaho | $15 1-yr; $30 3-yr (18–21); $40 4-yr; $60 8-yr | $29 | — | $5 each written / endorsement knowledge test | Up to $200 ($10 office + up to $190 examiner) | $20 to add endorsement after CDL issuance | itd.idaho.gov ↗ | CDL term choices change the credential fee. The full skills test may include third-party examiner charges. |
| Illinois | $60 (renewal/transfer) | $50 | Included | Included | ≈$60; provider fees vary | $5 (change/add) | ilsos.gov ↗ | CDL transaction type and approved third-party skills-testing providers can affect the total. |
| Indiana | $35 | $17 | — | — | Up to $200 initial third-party exam | $19 to add/remove a CDL endorsement | secure.in.gov ↗ | A charge to change an existing CDL or add an endorsement is not necessarily a per-endorsement fee. |
| Iowa | $8 per year (normally 8 years = $64) | $12 / one year | — | — | $25 at DOT; up to $75 at county treasurer | $5 T, N, H; $10 P, S (+$10 replacement card outside renewal) | iowadot.gov ↗ | DOT and county-examiner skills-test prices differ. Individual test segments may be charged separately. |
| Kansas | $41 total new CDL with testing ($18 license + $15 test + $8 photo) | $13 total ($5 permit + $8 photo) | — | $15 new CDL test fee (included in $41); retest $1.50 | $15 skills exam; $10 skills retest | $10 each | ksrevenue.gov ↗ | Certain knowledge and issuance charges may already be included in a combined licensing transaction. |
| Kentucky | $18.75–$50 depending on CDL issuance/term | $11 CLP; $14 REAL ID CLP | $3 NCIC background check | — | — | $5 Hazmat knowledge test; $138.25 Hazmat fingerprinting separate | drive.ky.gov ↗ | CLP options differ for standard and REAL ID. Re-test fees should not be confused with the initial test price. |
| Louisiana | $61.50 ($76.50 Orleans Parish) | — | $15 | Included | $100 third-party test (bring vehicle) | $7.50 each | expresslane.la.gov ↗ | Application and parish charges may apply. Third-party CDL skills tests and vehicle rental can cost extra. |
| Maine | $34 standard under 65 / $59 REAL ID (5 yr); older $27 / $47 | — | — | $70 Class A/B/C CDL examination | $70 CDL examination fee (test allocation not split) | $20 each endorsement | maine.gov ↗ | The state publishes a CDL examination charge that can cover more than one exam component. |
| Maryland | $64 CDL renewal or same-class out-of-state conversion (8 yr); initial issuance not separately listed | $106 CDL learner's permit | — | — | Initial skills fee not separately listed | Hazmat CDL $30 / 5 yrs; background check $109.25 separate | mva.maryland.gov ↗ | Permit, renewal, transfer, and retest transactions carry different prices. |
| Massachusetts | $75 (Class A/B/C, 5 years) | $30 | Included | Permit fee covers application; verify any additional testing | $35 CDL road/skills test | $10 with permit transaction; $30 later | mass.gov ↗ | Adding an endorsement during the permit application may cost less than adding it later. |
| Michigan | $25 standard CDL | 25.00 | Included | Included | Varies by approved third-party examiner | $5 per standard endorsement | michigan.gov ↗ | State-approved third-party skills testers set their own prices; a photo reissue may be needed for changes. |
| Minnesota | Class A $65; Class B $57; Class C $50 (new, standard) | $26.75 commercial learner’s permit (A/B/C) | — | $10 for third/subsequent written test; earlier attempts not priced separately | $20 only on 3rd or subsequent state skills/road test | $2.50 endorsement examination; $4 school bus processing | mn.gov ↗ | Fee differs by CDL class. Higher-attempt retesting, school-bus processing, and endorsements can add charges. |
| Mississippi | $55 / 5-year CDL | $16 CLP / 6 months | — | — | $55 (reference amount) | $5 endorsements (state fee); hazardous materials $100 separately listed | driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov ↗ | Hazmat processing may involve charges beyond a standard endorsement. Testing-provider charges can vary. |
| Missouri | $40 CDL transaction (3–6 yr) + $18 office processing (part of approx. $83 first-time final transaction) | $44 CLP total (includes $25 knowledge exam + $10 permit + $9 office fee) | — | $25 knowledge test (included in $44 CLP) | $25 (included in typical CDL transaction) | — | dor.mo.gov ↗ | Application, testing, office processing, and final CDL charges can overlap in combined transactions. |
| Montana | $41.72 interstate CDL, age 21–67; $67.47 REAL ID | $41.72 interstate CLL, age 21–67; $67.47 REAL ID | — | — | — | $10 | mvdmt.gov ↗ | Costs vary by age, license type, REAL ID status, and intrastate/interstate designation. |
| Nebraska | $60 / 5 yr ($55 license + $5 security surcharge); shorter terms $16–$49 | — | — | — | — | $5 | dmv.nebraska.gov ↗ | License term and transaction type affect charges; confirm provider-specific skills testing. |
| Nevada | $141.50 original requiring knowledge+skills; $111.50 knowledge-only | $141.50 CLP transaction; completion of learner permit $57.50 | — | — | $30 skills-test charge; may be part of transaction | $14 per endorsement + $3.50 photo | dmv.nv.gov ↗ | Some licensing transactions bundle credential issuance and testing. Do not simply add all listed charges. |
| New Hampshire | $60 Class A/B/C CDL (2026 fee-change PDF) | $20 CLP (2026 fee-change PDF) | — | $20 | $50 | $10 | dmv.nh.gov ↗ | Fee amounts may vary by CDL class, endorsement, and exam transaction. |
| New Jersey | $42 | $125 exam/test receipt | Included | Included | Covered by $125 MVC examination receipt | $2 per endorsement | nj.gov ↗ | The $125 examination receipt covers CDL testing. It should not be added as a separate knowledge and skills charge. |
| New Mexico | $18 / 4 years; $34 / 8 years (Hazmat not eligible 8-year) | $10 | — | $10 | Varies by approved third-party examiner | $5 | mvd.newmexico.gov ↗ | License prices depend on a four- or eight-year term. Hazmat and out-of-state transfers can add charges. |
| New York | Varies; $164.50 base 8-year CDL renewal example | $10 written/application | Included | Included for tests taken same time; $5 extra later | $40 CDL road/skills test | $5 additional test (if taken later); other fees vary | dmv.ny.gov ↗ | Issuance prices vary by existing license and expiration date; metropolitan-area charges may apply. |
| North Carolina | $25.50 per year (Class A/B/C; $127.50 for 5-year term, if issued) | — | $51.50; waived upon surrender of NC CLP or CDL renewal | Up to three knowledge-test attempts included in $51.50 application | — | $5 per endorsement per year of license validity | ncleg.gov ↗ | CDL and endorsement fees are assessed per license year. Application exemptions may apply. |
| North Dakota | $15 CDL (resident) | $15 CLP (resident; $20 non-domiciled) | — | $5 per knowledge-test attempt | $5 CDL road/skills test | $3 each endorsement | dot.nd.gov ↗ | A small separate road-testing charge may apply in addition to permit and credential costs. |
| Ohio | $46.50 first CDL / 4 yr; $92 / 8 yr | $31.50 CLP | — | — | ≈$50; provider fees vary | — | bmv.ohio.gov ↗ | Third-party CDL skills testing varies by provider. Standard renewal and retest fees are different transactions. |
| Oklahoma | 4-year total: A $81.50; B $71.50; C $61.50. 8-year: A $138; B $128; C $108 | — | Class A $25 application; B/C $15 (included in credential total) | — | State test fee not separately stated; third-party varies | — | oklahoma.gov ↗ | Class-specific application and credential charges may be bundled into a single transaction. |
| Oregon | $160 upgrade from Oregon license; $224 without one | $40 | Included | $10 per knowledge test | $145 at DMV; third-party fees vary | $30 replacement to add/remove CDL endorsement | oregon.gov ↗ | New issuance and upgrading an existing Oregon license cost different amounts. Third-party testing may add charges. |
| Pennsylvania | Varies by product/expiration; $127.50 4-year renewal | Varies by permit/upgrade transaction | Included | Included | PennDOT skills fee not independently confirmed; third-party varies | $21.50 upgrade; $43.50 hazmat upgrade | pa.gov ↗ | Licensing and permit charges depend on the transaction; third-party skills-test pricing may differ. |
| Rhode Island | — | $73.50 new CLP; $23.50 update/duplicate | — | $23.50 first knowledge test; $10 each additional test | $100 | — | dmv.ri.gov ↗ | A technology surcharge and payment method fees may apply. Road/skills test is $100. |
| South Carolina | $25 CDL 8 yr; $15 hazmat CDL 5 yr | $2.50 CLP / 1 yr (PLUS application fee) | $15 CDL application | $2 for EACH knowledge-test attempt | Initial test not separately priced; $25 retest | — | dmv.sc.gov ↗ | The CLP charge does not necessarily include separate application and knowledge-test fees. |
| South Dakota | — | — | $43 CDL/CLP application | — | $150 + tax at third-party tester | $20 per endorsement test | sd.gov ↗ | Third-party CDL skills testing may incur tax; state application and credential charges may overlap. |
| Tennessee | Class A $70 (8 yrs); Class B/C $62 (8 yrs), application INCLUDED | CLP Class A $14; Class B/C $13 (1 yr; application INCLUDED) | $6 application INCLUDED in CDL and CLP displayed totals | — | State fee not separately listed; third-party may add charges | N/P/H/T $8.50 each including $6 application; S $26 including $6 application | tn.gov ↗ | Class A and B/C fees differ. Certain application costs are already included in the published total. |
| Texas | $97 (8-year standard age 18–84); $61 with Hazmat (5-year) | $25 | Included | Included | ≈$110; provider fees vary | Varies; $11 replacement/transaction (not per-endorsement rate) | dps.texas.gov ↗ | Skills-test charges depend on the approved testing provider; endorsement changes may have separate fees. |
| Utah | $52 CDL with written test; $78 CDL with driving skills test (5 yrs) | — | — | Written test included in $52 CDL transaction; $26 written retake | $78 state skills transaction (2 attempts); $52 retest | $9 CDL endorsement / endorsement test | dld.utah.gov ↗ | General driver permit prices should not be confused with commercial licensing transactions. |
| Vermont | $72 / 2 yrs; $108 / 4 yrs | $18 CLP / 1 yr | — | $39 CDL knowledge test | $39 CDL road test; $29 scheduling deposit | $17 CDL endorsement test | dmv.vermont.gov ↗ | Road-test scheduling deposits and testing charges may be separate or offset one another. |
| Virginia | $64 for standard 8-year CDL | $3 | Included | 2.00 | No separate ordinary DMV test fee found | $1 per year | dmv.virginia.gov ↗ | A missed-test appointment fee is not the standard initial CDL skills-test price. Hazmat assessment costs extra. |
| Washington | $163 renewal 6 years / $217 renewal 8 years (includes CDL component) | $40 | Included | $35 | $175 CDL skills test | $20 special CDL endorsement; adding CDL to license $37–$156 | dol.wa.gov ↗ | CDL fee components depend on credential term. School-bus testing may have a different fee. |
| West Virginia | — | — | $25 CDL testing package (knowledge exams) + normal licensing fees | $25 test package covers general knowledge, air brakes & combination | $100 third-party CDL skills test | $10 each endorsement + $7.50 duplicate credential when adding later | dmv.wv.gov ↗ | Approved third-party examiners may charge for skills testing. Hazmat screening adds additional costs. |
| Wisconsin | $74 (original/renewal) | $30 | Included | $0 (no separate fee) | Up to $150 full test (or $50 per segment) | $5 each + $10 issuance fee (upgrade) | wisconsindot.gov ↗ | The third-party full skills test is capped; individual test segments may be priced separately. |
| Wyoming | $55 first CDL (any class); renewal $45 | $45 first CLP; renewal $45 | — | — | $85 CDL skills test | — | dot.state.wy.us ↗ | Issuance and renewal prices differ. Retesting may require another appointment fee. |
Reading the table: “—” means a separate fee isn't listed in our research. “Included” means the cost is bundled with another transaction. Prices and providers may vary. These fees aren't a complete CDL training budget; see the explanations and disclaimer below.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a CDL?
The government fees to get a commercial driver's license depend on your state, the CDL class you need, the length of the license term, and which examinations or endorsements apply. The table above compares licensing fees, not the total cost of attending truck driving school.
License, Permit & Application Fees
Your state may charge for the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), a first-time CDL application, and issuance of the actual license. Some states combine these into a single payment; others bill separately.
Knowledge & Skills Test Fees
CDL knowledge tests cover the rules for your class and endorsements. The skills exam includes vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. In this comparison, driving and road testing appear in one combined column to avoid counting the same test twice.
Endorsement & Special Fees
Passenger, School Bus, Tank Vehicles, Doubles/Triples, and Hazmat endorsements may involve additional tests, licensing charges, and in some cases background checks or other requirements. Costs depend on the endorsement and state.
Costs Not Included in the State Fee Table
CDL training tuition: If Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for your license or endorsement, training is a separate expense from the state’s licensing fee. Medical certification: A DOT physical, where required, generally has its own provider charge. Truck rental and third-party exams: Skills-test providers, vehicle rental, retests, and specialty endorsements may add costs.
For official requirements and what to study, use our CDL Manuals by State directory, then practice with our free CDL permit practice tests.
CDL Fees by State: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CDL cost in 2026?
Is the CDL skills test the same as the road test?
Do I need to pay for a commercial learner’s permit (CLP)?
Are CDL endorsement fees included in the CDL license price?
Are CDL training costs included in these fees?
Where did these CDL fee amounts come from?
Sources & Research Methodology
Driving Academy assembled this state-by-state CDL fee directory using state licensing agencies, official fee schedules, public government documents, and selected industry comparisons. Government agency links are provided for every jurisdiction so readers can confirm their own circumstances. Figures are presented by category rather than as a universal total because some states combine permit, knowledge, skills testing, and license-issuance charges. Contact Driving Academy if you notice an outdated link.
Prepare for Your CDL and Start Your Driving Career
Use Driving Academy’s free practice tests to prepare for the knowledge exam, or talk with our CDL advisors about training programs, schedules, and financing options.
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