Driver's License - Class C - Commercial Driver – ApplyInformationClass C — A single-unit vehicle, 26,000 pounds GVWR or less, with one or more of the following endorsements:
- School bus (with passenger endorsement)
Your license may be restricted to the size and type of vehicle you use for the road test. Unless the CMV used for testing has air brakes, you will be restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes, even if you passed the air brake knowledge test.
Requirements effective May 4, 2015:
Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) Changes
To apply for a CLP, Minnesotans currently must:
Beginning May 4, Minnesotans will ALSO need the following in order to apply:
Proof of citizenship or permanent residency (U.S. passport, birth certificate, permanent residency card). If the name on your U.S. passport, birth certificate or permanent residency card has changed you must also present proof of your legal name change(s). Acceptable proof consists of certified marriage certificates, certified divorce decrees or other certified court orders. Divorce decrees or other court orders must specify the name change. Your identity and name change documents need to show a clear link between your citizenship or permanent residency document and your current name.
Valid Medical Examiner Certificate (if applicable)
CLP holders will be required to have their permit for 14 calendar days before taking the CDL road test (The 14-day waiting period will not apply to those who received their CLP between now and May 1).
CLP holders will be subject to the same disqualifying offenses as CDL holders. This includes alcohol use, drug use and traffic violations.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Changes
Beginning in July, CDL holders renewing their license will also need to provide proof of citizenship or permanent residency.
There will also be new restrictions on commercial vehicles used for the CDL road test, effective May 4, 2015:
Drivers taking the CDL test in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with an automatic transmission will not be allowed to operate a CMV with a standard transmission.
If a driver does not take the road test in a tractor-semi-trailer, they will be restricted to other Class A vehicle combinations.
Drivers taking the road test to earn a passenger or school bus endorsement will be restricted to the size of bus.
*Proof of Citizenship Requirement
All drivers renewing their CDL (effective July 1, 2015) will be required to provide a document from the following list that meets the proof of citizenship requirement.
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
- Certified copy of birth certificate from any U.S. state
- Consular report of birth abroad issued by the U.S. Department or state
- Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship issued by U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Valid unexpired Permanent Resident Card
or
- Unexpired employment authorization document issued by USCIS or an unexpired foreign passport accompanied by an approved I-94 form.
If the name on the above document is different from the current name on the CDL, the customer must also present proof of the legal name change(s). Acceptable proof consists of certified marriage certificates, certified divorce decrees or other certified court orders. Divorce decrees or other court orders must specify the name change. Identity and name change documents need to show a clear link between the citizenship or permanent residency document and the current name
Policies and ProceduresTesting
NOTE: Beginning Sept. 1, 2010, new road-testing procedures go into effect. During the pre-trip inspection phase, the driver will be required to complete a full walk-around vehicle inspection. New pre-trip checklists are available at driver exam stations and in the Minnesota Commercial Driver’s Manual.
Knowledge (Written) Tests: You will take one or more CDL knowledge (written) tests, depending on class of license and endorsements. You may attempt each knowledge (written) test once per day.
Instruction Permits: You must have a valid Minnesota driver’s license in order to obtain a CDL instruction permit. All applicants for a CDL will obtain a 6-month, non-renewable permit. A currently licensed CDL driver who wishes to upgrade to a higher class of license must take all applicable knowledge (written) tests. Drivers who have an unrestricted air brake CDL do not need to retake the air brake knowledge test.
Skills Tests: When you pass the required knowledge (written) tests, you are eligible to take the CDL skills (road) test.
The CDL skills (road) test consists of the pre-trip inspection, the basic control skills and the road test. You must take the CDL road test in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.
In the basic control section of the CDL skills (road) test, new regulations add offset backing to the required skills demonstrations. The offset backing skill requires the driver to back the vehicle, either to the right or left, into an adjacent lane. An offset backing diagram is included in the 2010 Commercial Driver’s Manual on page 3 of Section 11.
Medical Requirements
Under the driver qualification rules, a driver is required to have in possession, while driving, a current and valid medical certificate showing that s/he is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle. Details for medical examinations are found in 49 CFR 391.43.
Medical Waiver
A commercial driver may be granted a waiver from the following physical qualification requirements: vision, insulin-dependent diabetes, deaf and hard of hearing and limb impairment. Intrastate drivers must submit medical waivers requests to the Minnesota Department of transportation (Mn/DOT), Office of Motor Carrier Services.
How to Apply
- Complete an application at the renewal office
- Payment is by personal check or cash only. For all fee information, please see the complete list.
- Vision is screened for drivers’ licenses
If you are a new resident, please refer to the Class C - New Resident Page. What to Bring
- Minnesota driver's license
- Social Security number (SSN)
- For a name change, one of the following is necessary:
- A certified marriage certificate
- A certified divorce or dissolution of marriage decree specifying the name change
- Other certified court order specifying the name change
Anyone turning 21 years of age should not renew a license until 3 weeks before their 21st birthday.
*Proof of Citizenship Requirement
All drivers renewing their CDL (effective July 1, 2015) will be required to provide a document from the following list that meets the proof of citizenship requirement.
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
- Certified copy of birth certificate from any U.S. state
- Consular report of birth abroad issued by the U.S. Department or state
- Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship issued by U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Valid unexpired Permanent Resident Card
or
- Unexpired employment authorization document issued by USCIS or an unexpired foreign passport accompanied by an approved I-94 form.
If the name on the above document is different from the current name on the CDL, the customer must also present proof of the legal name change(s). Acceptable proof consists of certified marriage certificates, certified divorce decrees or other certified court orders. Divorce decrees or other court orders must specify the name change. Identity and name change documents need to show a clear link between the citizenship or permanent residency document and the current name
Medical Requirements
Starting January 30, 2012 you will need to certify the following information with Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS):
- The type of driving you are engaged in (interstate or intrastate) and
- Whether you are subject to or exempt from the medical examination requirements of 49 CFR part 391 or Minnesota Statutes, chapter 221
Medical Waiver
A commercial driver may be granted a waiver from the following physical qualification requirements: vision, insulin-dependent diabetes, deaf and hard of hearing and limb impairment.
If your medical examiner’s certificate is only valid with a vision, diabetes or a skills performance evaluation waiver granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA), or if you are an intrastate driver with a MnDOT waiver or hold a DVS School Bus Waiver, you must also provide a copy of your waiver.
To obtain a federal exemption or waiver, you must contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA), which will advise on how to proceed.
Diabetes/Vision waivers: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/medical/exemptions.htm
Skill Performance: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/medical/spepackage.htm
FMCSA Phone: 1 (800) 832-5660
FMCSA Midwestern Service Center: (708) 283-3577
For information about MnDOT waivers, contact the MnDOT Driver Medical Program at (651) 366-3674.
Adding Endorsements With a Class C CDL, you are eligible for endorsements on your license. Refer to the CDL Endorsements and Restrictions Page for more information. LawsYou must have a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate any of the following commercial motor vehicles in Minnesota: A combination of vehicles in which the gross combination weight (GCW) is more than 26,000 pounds and the towed unit has a gross vehicle weight (GVW)* of more than 10,000 pounds — Minimum age is 18** - **A single vehicle with a GVW exceeding 26,000 pounds — Minimum age is 17
- **A vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver — Minimum age is 18
- ***Any size vehicle that requires hazardous materials placards — in most cases, you must be 21 years of age to transport hazardous materials.
- Any size vehicle outwardly equipped and identified as a school bus — Minimum age is 18
* Minnesota law defines gross vehicle weight (GVW) as the greater of: - The actual weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles plus the weight of the load
- The manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
** The minimum age listed is that at which you may apply for a Minnesota CDL. State and federal motor carrier regulations may set different age limits for operating a CMV.
*** A driver of a motorized tank truck vehicle having a capacity of less than 3,500 gallons, who is engaged in the intrastate transportation of petroleum products, or employees of fertilizer or agricultural chemical retailers that transport agricultural chemicals directly from the retailer location to a farm, must be at least 18 years of age. Drivers using these exceptions must operate exclusively within Minnesota. Contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), Office of Motor Carrier Services for complete information.
Code of Federal Regulations Medical Self-Certification
Reference: Minnesota Statutes, sections 171.162, 221.031 and 221.0314, and 49 CFR 383.71 and 383.73. Related NewsEffective May 4, 2015, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration law changes will impact Minnesotans applying for a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and current Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders whose licenses are up for renewal. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Driver and Vehicle Services (DPS/DVS) is implementing changes to ensure the state and CDL holders are in compliance with federal law.
Effective January 1, 2014, the driver’s license filing fee which pays for the costs of the services provided in the driver’s license/ID card issuance process, increases from $5 to $8, as required by Minn. Stat. 171.061, HF 1444, Chapter 117.
Starting January 30, 2012, if you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or are applying for a CDL, you will need to certify the following information with Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS):
- The type of driving you are engaged in (interstate or intrastate) and
- Whether you are subject to or exempt from the medical examination requirements of 49 CFR part 391 or Minnesota Statutes, chapter 221
What you need to know:
- The self-certification requirement goes into effect on January 30, 2012
- Only applies to drivers applying for, renewing, upgrading or replacing a commercial driver’s license, class A, B or C
- As a commercial driver, if there is a change in your medical status or interstate/intrastate status, you must provide DVS with a new self-certification form (PS33203), and if necessary new medical examination documents
- The self-certification is required by Minnesota statutes and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
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