Arizona - Apply for a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Instruction Permit

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Procedure

1. Gather all documents you will need to present or submit when applying for a CDL instruction permit: Social Security card, valid operator license, acceptable forms of identification, proof that your presence in the United States is authorized under federal law and for out-of-state applicants, proof that you have one year experience driving a vehicle other than a motorcycle.
2. Fill out a Medical Examiner Certificate or ADOT card (available at any CDL office). You must have a current physical examination. This examination may be performed by a licensed doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse or doctor of chiropractic.
3. Submit all required forms and documents, and pay all applicable fees.
4. Successfully complete the knowledge test. Use the Commercial Driver License Manual as a study reference. The manual is available online or at any CDL office. For CDL offices outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, an appointment is required to take the knowledge tests.

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Required Documents

• Completed Medical Examiner Certificate or ADOT card
• Social Security card
• Valid operator license
• Acceptable forms of identification
• Proof that your presence in the United States is authorized under federal law. See CDL Documentation Requirements for a listing of acceptable proof of authorized presence:
  • You need at least two documents listed one must have a clear photo of you
  • Or three documents listed with no photo
  • One must be listed under the Primary column
  • All must be originals or copies, in English, certified by the issuing agency
  • Additional documents needed for a name change (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree). You must first change your name with the Social Security Administration.
  • CDL documentation requirements may change without notice.
• Proof that you have one year experience driving a vehicle other than a motorcycle. For drivers with an Arizona license, this information is already available on ADOT's database. For out-of-state applicants, your out-of-state license must have been issued more than one year ago or you must provide a motor vehicle record (MVR) issued by another state that is less than 30 days old and shows proof of at least one year of driving history. No third-party MVRs will be accepted.

Office Locations & Contacts

Arizona Department of Transportation
Email Contact Form
Motor Vehicle Inquiries: 602-255-0072
General Inquiries: 602.712.7355
Website

CDL Office Locations: Only the following MVD offices are authorized to conduct Commercial Driver License activities.

Usual Office Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Written and road tests: 8:00am - 3:00pm
Only information is available after 4:30 p.m.

Northern

Appointment Required: Call to schedule an appointment for all CDL services.

Flagstaff
1851 S. Milton Rd. Map
Phone: 928.779.7513
Wednesday - Thursday

Holbrook
2108 E. Navajo Blvd.Map
Phone: 928.524.5586
Tuesday and Thursday

Kingman
3670 E. Andy Devine Ave. (Hwy 66) Map
Phone: 928.681.6398
Wednesday - Thursday

Prescott
1105 Commerce Dr.Map
Phone: 928.777.5978
Tuesday - Wednesday

Show Low
161 E. Deuce of Clubs Map
Phone: 928.532.5566
Monday and Wednesday

Southern

Appointment Required: Call 520.628.5857 to schedule an appointment for all CDL services.

Casa Grande
240 W. Cottonwood Ln. Map
Phone: 520.628.5857
Wednesday

Sierra Vista
5224 E. Charleston Rd. Map
Phone: 520.628.5857
Tuesday

Yuma
2165 E Gila Ridge Rd Map
Phone: 928.317.2027
Monday - Friday

Safford
310 W. Main St. Map
Phone: 520.628.5857
Every other Thursday

Appointment Required for Road Test Only: Call to schedule a road test appointment. Written tests are held Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 3:00pm on a walk-in basis.

Tucson
621 E. 22nd St. Map
Phone: 520.628.5857
Monday to Friday : 8:00am - 5:00pm

===Centra

Eligibility

The minimum age for a CDL is 21. If you are at least 18, you may apply for an intrastate CDL that is valid only in Arizona. Drivers under the age of 21 are prohibited from transporting hazardous materials.

You must be able to prove that you have one year experience driving a vehicle other than a motorcycle. For drivers with an Arizona license, this information is already available on ADOT's database. For out-of-state applicants, your out-of-state license must have been issued more than one year ago or you must provide a motor vehicle record (MVR) issued by another state that is less than 30 days old and shows proof of at least one year of driving history. No third-party MVRs will be accepted.

Fees

You must pay for the class of license prior to taking the test.

Fees:

• Class A or B permit, no endorsements: $25
• Class C permit*: $12.50 (must have a P endorsement; HME not allowed on Class C permits)
• Doubles/triples trailers endorsement: $10.00
• Tank endorsement: $10.00
• HME: $10.00
• Motorcycle endorsement: $ 7.00
• School bus** endorsement: No fee
• Passenger endorsement: $10.00

Note *: A Class C CDL must include a Passenger or HazMat endorsement, although, only those applying for a Class C with a Passenger endorsement will be issued a permit. Class C permits can not be issued with a HazMat endorsement.

Note **: To add a passenger and/or school bus endorsement, you must obtain a CDL instruction permit with the passenger and/or school bus endorsement for the class of bus you intend to drive. Then, you must take CDL pre-trip, basic controls and road/skills tests in the appropriate class of bus/school bus.

Validity

The CDL instruction permit is valid for six months.

Documents to Use

• Medical Examiner Certificate
• CDL Documentation Requirements
• CDL Application Form

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

Please explain processing time taken in obtaining the document/certificate.

Instructions

Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) are being issued by the Motor Vehicle Division of ADOT. Knowledge and road/skills tests are conducted at any CDL office. In addition, MVD works closely with the Medical Review Program, which examines and monitors the physical qualifications of commercial drivers.

Required Information

• Social security number
• Applicant's Name
• Residence street address (city,state,zip)
• Mailing address (PO Box must be in the county you reside)
• Address that you want to appear on your license
• Gender
• Weight
• Height
• Eye color
• Hair
• Date of birth
• Current driver license
• Name on current driver license or ID
• State/country of domicile
• Class
• State
• Issue date
• Expiration date
• States where you have held any type of driver license in the last 10 years
• Alien registration # (HazMat applicants only)

Need for the Document

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 ensures that only qualified drivers receive and maintain a commercial driver's license (CDL) and removes unsafe and unqualified drivers from highways.

Commercial driver licenses (CDLs) are divided into three classes: Class A, B and C.

• Class A CDL: required to operate a combination vehicle (truck and trailer) if the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is 26,001 or more pounds when the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the trailer, which is added to the GVWR of the power unit (the truck), is 10,001 pounds or more.
• Class B CDL: required to operate any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. A trailer may be towed if the GVWR of the trailer is 10,000 pounds or fewer.
• Class C CDL:' required to operate any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or fewer if the vehicle is required to be placarded to transport hazardous materials or if the vehicle transports 16 or more passengers, including the driver. An applicant must also have a passenger (P) or hazardous materials endorsement (HME) to obtain a Class C CDL.

For first-time CDL applicant, you must first obtain a CDL instruction permit to operate a vehicle requiring a CDL on the highway.

Following are procedures on how you can obtain a CDL Instruction Permit in Arizona.