Obtaining a Commercial Driver's License
PLEASE NOTE: CDL knowledge testing is offered at DMV Hub Offices only. See Walk-In Testing Hours.
Documents required when appearing for CDL knowledge testing:
- Your Connecticut driver's license.
- Your Social Security card (laminated or metal cards are unacceptable) or your most recent W-2 form.
- Physical examination by a medical examiner dated within two years of the application date (90 days if applying for a Public Passenger Endorsement), reported on an Examination to Determine Physical Condition of Driver (DMV Form R-323), or a U.S. D.O.T. Medical Examiner's Physical Examination Form, which meets U.S. D.O.T. requirements in 49 CFR 391.41-391.49.
- You shall be required to complete the Application for Commercial Driver's License (DMV Form R-229a).
Note: If you are Not a citizen of the United States, you shall be required to show proof of your legal status in this country. Acceptable Forms of Identification for Non-U.S. Citizens.
Required knowledge tests:
Class A vehicle - General Knowledge, Combination, Air Brakes (if the vehicle is so equipped)
Class B non-passenger vehicle - General Knowledge, Air Brakes (if the vehicle is so equipped)
Class B passenger vehicle - General Knowledge, Air Brakes (if the vehicle is so equipped), Passenger, School Bus (if you intend to operate a school bus)
Class C vehicle - General Knowledge, Air Brakes (if the vehicle is so equipped), Hazardous Materials or Passenger and School Bus (if you intend to operate a Type 2 school bus)
General knowledge test:
The general knowledge test consists of 30 questions (24 correct answers represents a passing score). In order to prepare for the test, the
Connecticut Commercial Driver's Manual should be studied.
The fee for this test is $16.
The skills test fee of $30 also must be paid at this time. See
Acceptable Forms of Payment at DMV office locations. If you fail the test, you must wait until the next business day to retake the test and you must complete a DMV Form R-229a and pay the test fee again.
Endorsement tests:
Each endorsement test includes 10 questions (8 correct answers represents a passing score). The fee for each endorsement test is $5. If you fail an endorsement test, you must wait until the next business day to retake the test and you must complete a DMV Form R-229a and pay the test fee again.
Following is a list of endorsements:
S -
School Bus T - Doubles/Triples
P - Passenger/Transportation
N - Liquid Bulk/Tank Cargo
H -
Hazardous Material X - Hazardous Material and Tank, Combined
Skills Test (On-the-road portion of the test):
An applicant
must pass the required knowledge tests and be issued a Commercial Driver's Instruction Permit (CDIP) before a skills test can be scheduled. Skills tests are scheduled by
appointment only through our
DMV Phone Center or at a DMV branch office.
An operator is required to take a skills test in a representative vehicle if he/she:
- Currently holds a non-commercial driver's license and wishes to obtain a CDL.
- Currently holds a CDL "C" and wishes to obtain a CDL "B" or "A".
- Currently holds a CDL "B" and wishes to obtain a CDL "A".
- Currently holds a CDL and wishes to obtain a "P" or "S" Endorsement.
- Currently holds a CDL and wishes to remove an "L" Restriction (Air Brake Restriction).
Note: A CDL is not required to operate a fire apparatus vehicle. However, a chief of a fire department may request to have that department's drivers tested, and any driver who passes a skills test can apply to have a "Q" endorsement added to their license. The Fire Chief must contact the CDL Skills Tests Unit at 860-263-5299 to make arrangements for testing.
Representative Vehicle:
- Class A - Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.
- Class B - Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Class C - Any single vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 pounds comprising:
- Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or designed to transport more than 10 passengers, including the driver, and used to transport students under the age of 21 to and from school; and
- Vehicles used to transport hazardous materials which are required to be placarded in accordance with 49 CFR 172, Subpart F, as amended.
Skills Test Requirements:
For the skills test, you must provide the representative type of vehicle for the class of license for which you are applying and you must be accompanied by a driver who holds a valid CDL which authorizes operation of the test vehicle to and from the test. You must bring the following documents when appearing for your skills test:
- Your Connecticut driver's license
- CDIP
- Validated Goldenrod (Gold Copy) of the Application for Commercial Driver's License (DMV Form R-229a) which must show the $30 validation for the skills test fee. Note: If you lose your Goldenrod, you must complete a DMV Form R-229a and repay the $30 skills test fee at a DMV branch office prior to testing.
- Appointment confirmation letter that you received in the mail.
- DMV Form R-323 - Examination to Determine Physical Condition of Driver or U.S. DOT Medical Examiners's Physical Examination Form.
You will be evaluated on the following items:
- Pre-trip Inspection
- Static Course
- On-the-Road/Skills Test
- Note: if you are applying for a Class A CDL, you also must perform a coupling and uncoupling test (drop and hook test).
Failure of any part of the skills test shall result in a failure of the entire skills test. If you fail, you shall be required to complete a new Application for Commercial Driver's License (DMV Form R-229a) and pay $30 to take the test again, and schedule another appointment. There is a minimum 14-day waiting period between skills tests.
