How to get a CDL in North Dakota

Fees and rules

Issued by

North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Driver License Division

Learner's permit (CLP) fee

$15 application fee for a CDL or permit (+$3 per endorsement)

Knowledge test fee

$5 per test

Skills (road) test fee

$5 per test (state fee)

CDL license fee

$15 application (+$3 per endorsement); expires like an operator's license

CLP is valid for

Up to 1 year

Minimum age (within the state)

18-20 for intrastate CDL; 21 to cross state lines (16 for custom-harvest-only CDL)

Test languages

English only (knowledge and road tests)

Where the skills test is given

NDDOT-overseen third-party programs and testers; apply in person at an ND driver license site

Medical card

Meet federal medical requirements (49 CFR 391); medical examiners now upload certificates electronically (paper certificates no longer accepted)

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

Complete federally required ELDT before the road test; provider on FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Official sources

“An application for a commercial driver's license or permit is fifteen dollars.” ndlegis.gov

“A commercial driver's license test is five dollars.” ndlegis.gov

“Each endorsement is three dollars.” ndlegis.gov

“The commercial learner's permit may not be issued for a period to exceed one year.” ndlegis.gov

“Be 21 years old to cross state lines or 18-20 years old to apply for an intra-state CDL.” www.dot.nd.gov

“A road test cannot be scheduled without a valid CLP, which must have been earned at least 14 days prior.” www.dot.nd.gov

“complete the federally required Entry Level Driver Training” www.dot.nd.gov

“All commercial tests must, by Federal Regulation, be conducted in English.” www.dot.nd.gov

“who administer the commercial driver license (CDL) skills test.” dot.nd.gov

“the requirement will be for nationally certified medical examiners to upload the certificate electronically.” www.dot.nd.gov