Commercial  Driver License 

  

Who Needs a CDL?

Any resident who intends to operate: VEHICLES:

•

Having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.

 COMBINATION VEHICLES:

• Towing a trailer or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more with a gross combination

weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more.

 

ANY VEHICLES:

•Designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver)

•Carrying hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards.

 

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the recommended maximum total weight of the vehicle and load as

designated by the vehicle manufacturer. The GVWR label is usually found on the driver side door post of the

power unit and on or near the front of the trailer. The GVWR should not be confused with the elected GVW which

is declared by the vehicle owner for registration purposes.

 

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum

loaded weight of a combination vehicle. In the absence of a label, the GCWR will be calculated by adding the

GVWR of the power unit to the GVWR of the vehicle(s) or trailer(s) being

What Are the Driving Record Eligibility Requirements?

Before a person may apply for an original CDL, they must qualify for the CDL based on their driver record. Any of

the following will disqualify a person from applying for a CDL:

 

The inability to make required certifications on the CDL Certification Form (BFS-103).

  •  Having a license from more than one state.
  •  An active Michigan or out-state suspension, revocation, denial, or cancellation of a person’s driving privilege.

The license action must be resolved before a person can apply for an original CDL.

Any active suspension must be terminated before a person may apply for a CDL.

  •  A suspension or revocation in the 36 months immediately preceding application.

NOTE: Suspensions for, Failure to Appear in Court (FAC), Failure to Comply with a Court Judgment

(FCJ), failure to appear for a Driver Assessment re-examination, financial responsibility, nonsufficient

funds checks, and a suspension or revocation for a temporary medical condition will not

disqualify an applicant for a CDL.

  •  Conviction of any six-point violation in the 24 months immediately preceding application. Conviction foroperating a commercial motor vehicle while impaired in the 24 months immediately preceding application.

How Old Must I Be To Obtain a CDL?

You must be age 21 to drive a commercial motor vehicle across state lines (interstate). You may drive a

commercial motor vehicle in Michigan (intrastate) at age 18; except to transport hazardous materials in a

quantity that requires the vehicle be marked or placarded, you must be age 21 or older.

 

What are the Driver Qualification Requirements for the CDL?

Unless exempt, you must comply with the federal commercial driver qualification requirements, including the

medical/physical qualifications found in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 49 CFR Part 391 —

Qualifications of Drivers. This includes drivers who operate commercial vehicles only in Michigan. When

applying for your CDL, you will sign a certification form (BFS -103 — see Appendix A) that states you meet these

requirements before receiving your CDL. Before taking any CDL driver skills tests, you must provide a valid

Medical Examiner’s Certificate (commonly known as a DOT card) or medical waiver to your examiner allowing

you to operate your truck or bus. Ask your employer about these medical/physical and other driver qualification

requirements.

 

How Can I Get Additional Information on Medical/Physical Requirements Intrastate (in Michigan) medical/physical requirements and state commercial truck and bus rules andregulations, contact:   Michigan Center for Truck Safety. Internet: www.truckingsafety.org

 

Interstate (across state lines) medical/physical requirements and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety

Regulations for trucks and buses, contact: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 315 W. Allegan

 

St., Room 205, Lansing, Michigan 48933; 517/377-1866. Note: The Lansing FMCSA office does not

distribute any forms or sell the FMCSR rulebooks. Internet: www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

School bus medical/physical requirements and other school bus regulations, contact: Michigan Department

of Education, Office of School Support Services, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, Michigan 48909; 517/373- 6388

 

 

What Type of CDL Do I Need? A Michigan resident needs a CDL with the appropriate group designation to operate the following vehicles:

 

GROUP A Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more,

provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is 10,001 pounds or more.

A Group A endorsement will allow a driver to operate a Group B or Group C vehicle provided he/she possess

required endorsement(s).

 

GROUP B Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or, any such

vehicle, towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less.

A Group B endorsement will allow a driver to operate a Group C vehicle provided he/she possess the required

endorsement(s).

 

GROUP C Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or less, or combination of vehicles and the GVWR of the

vehicle being towed is 10,000 pounds or less designed to:

o Transport 16 or more persons (including the driver).

o Transport hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards.

 

What Endorsements Do I Need?

In addition to the appropriate CDL vehicle group designation, endorsements are required to operate the following:

  •  T DOUBLE or TRIPLE TRAILERS: (Triple trailer combinations are not permitted in Michigan).
  •  P PASSENGER: For vehicles which are designed to carry 16 or more people (including the driver).
  •  N TANK: For vehicles designed to haul liquids or liquefied gases in bulk in permanently mounted cargo tanks rated at 119 gallons or more or portable cargo tanks rated at 1,000 gallons or more.
  • HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: To carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards.
  • X Combined TANK and HAZARDOUS MATERIAL Endorsements - When an applicant adds both the tank and hazardous materials endorsements to their driver license.
  •  S SCHOOL BUS for commercial motor vehicles used to transport pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students from home to school, school to home, or to and from school sponsored events.

Are There CDL Exemptions?

The following people do NOT need a Commercial Driver License (CDL):

  •  ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY: Operating military vehicles with military licenses (includes National Guard).
  •  POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS: Operating authorized emergency vehicles.
  •  FARMERS: Operating vehicles within a 150 mile radius of their farm.An F-endorsement is needed by farmers operating combination vehicles whose towing vehicle has aGVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. A knowledge test, but no skills test, is required to obtain the Fendorsement.The F-endorsement is NOT a CDL.Farmers who carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards while operating combination vehicles whose towing vehicle has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, need a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement. INDIVIDUALS: Operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for non-business purposes.

How Do I Obtain a CDL?       

 

 

 

 When ready to apply for your first CDL, come to a local Secretary of State branch office to:

  • Show your driver license.
  • Show proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, payroll check stub, W-2 Form).
  • Fill out the CDL Certification form (BFS-103), which includes a statement certifying that you meet thecommercial driver medical qualifications. If you have had any change in your physical condition since your last driver license renewal, which may affect your ability to drive, you may need a special form from thebranch office for your physician to fill out before you can apply for your license.
  • Meet driver eligibility requirements as determined by branch office personnel.Pass the required knowledge and vision tests. You must pass all required knowledge tests to obtain a CDL

Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP). This allows you to practice driving under supervision of a driver who

has a CDL for the type of vehicle you are operating. A CDL TIP is also required for taking the CDL skills

tests.

  • Pay your CDL Group Designation and Endorsement fees.
  • Schedule and take your CDL skills test through an approved third party driver skills test organization certifiedto administer the CDL skills test. These organizations are public and private agencies authorized only by the state to conduct driver skills tests.
  • After passing your CDL skills test, you will:Receive a Michigan Department of State Driver Skills Test Certificate (TPT-010) only from the approved third party driver skills test organization. set up Driving test     
  • •Take the skills test certificate directly to a SOS branch office to receive your full privilege CDL. Your certificate is valid for one (1) year from date of issuance. After one year, you must take all CDL tests again.
  •  Pay a correction fee to add the CDL privileges to your license and obtain your temporary CDL.Receive your photo CDL in the  mail within about ten (10) business days.

 Need Help Click Here (make sure your pop up blocker is turned off)