Do I Need a Chauffeur License?

A chauffeur base license is required when a person is:

Employed for the principal purpose of operating a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR or GVW or GCW of 10,000 pounds or more

Operating a motor vehicle as a carrier of passengers or as a common or contract carrier of property

Operating a bus, school bus, taxi or limousine

Important Medical Requirement:

Drivers operating vehicles singly or in combination with a GVW, GVWR, GCW or GCWR of 10,000 pounds or more must meet the commercial driver medical requirements (including possession of the appropriate medical card or medical waiver).

If required, the CDL group designator and CDL endorsements are added to the chauffeur base license.

Converting Out-of-State CDL to Michigan CDL

When moving to Michigan from another state, you must apply for a Michigan CDL to operate commercial vehicles. To obtain a Michigan CDL, you must visit a Secretary of State branch office and:

1

Surrender Your Out-of-State CDL

You must turn in your current out-of-state CDL

2

Complete Computer Check

Eligibility status check through national and state records

Important: If your driving privilege is suspended, revoked, denied or cancelled for any reason in any other state, you cannot receive your Michigan CDL until the out-of-state licensing issue(s) are resolved.

3

Pass the Vision Test

Required for all CDL applicants

4

Take Michigan CDL Written Tests (If Required)

Required if you are:

  • Upgrading your group designator
  • Adding endorsements
  • Removing an air brake restriction

Note: To keep your H-Hazardous Materials endorsement, you must always take and pass the Hazmat written test.

5

Take Michigan CDL Skills Test (If Required)

Required if you are:

  • Upgrading your group designator
  • Adding the P-Passenger endorsement
  • Removing a CDL limitation (such as air brake restriction)

Important Timing:

If a CDL skills test is required, you must wait until you receive your photo Michigan base license to take the test. Generally, your regular driver license will be mailed to you within ten (10) days.

6

Receive Your Michigan CDL

Upon proper and successful completion of any necessary CDL tests and payment of fees

Do "Incidental" Drivers Need a CDL?

Unless exempt, any driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle on roads or highways that are accessible to the public, must have a CDL regardless of:

  • •The distance driven
  • •Amount of driving time

Bottom line: If you operate a CMV on public roads or highways, you need a CDL - even if it's only occasionally or for short distances.

Quick Reference

Chauffeur License Required For:

  • • Employed to operate vehicles ≥10,000 lbs
  • • Carrier of passengers or property
  • • Bus, school bus, taxi, or limousine
  • • Medical card required for 10,000+ lbs vehicles

Out-of-State CDL Conversion (6 Steps):

  • 1. Surrender out-of-state CDL
  • 2. Complete computer eligibility check
  • 3. Pass vision test
  • 4. Take written tests (if upgrading/adding endorsements)
  • 5. Take skills test (if upgrading/adding P endorsement)
  • 6. Receive Michigan CDL upon completion

Incidental Drivers:

CDL required for ANY CMV operation on public roads - regardless of distance or time

Key Takeaways

Chauffeur license required for vehicles ≥10,000 lbs, passenger carriers, buses, taxis, limos
Medical card required for 10,000+ lbs vehicles
Out-of-state CDL must be surrendered when converting to Michigan
Cannot receive Michigan CDL if suspended/revoked in another state
Hazmat endorsement always requires written test
Skills test requires waiting for photo Michigan base license (10 days)
Incidental drivers need CDL regardless of distance or time

Have More Questions About CDL Requirements?

Expert guidance on chauffeur licenses, CDL conversion, and compliance

Call (248) 478-8382

24175 Industrial Park Dr., Farmington Hills, MI 48335