Getting a commercial driver's license costs between $15 and $164 in state license fees, with a national median of $55 — North Dakota is the cheapest state and New York the most expensive. On top of the license itself, applicants pay for the CDL knowledge test ($0–$35; included free in 25 of 50 states) and the skills test ($40–$200, median $100). Endorsements add knowledge-test and processing fees — a hazmat endorsement requires a TSA security threat assessment of $85.25. The largest expense for most new drivers is Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT), which federal law requires for first-time Class A and B applicants; tuition is set by each FMCSA-registered school rather than the state. Renewal runs $15–$164 every 4–8years. The table below lists every state's fees with links to official sources.
In most states the license fee itself is identical for Class A, B, and C — the cost difference between classes comes from training scope and the skills-test vehicle, not the license.
State fee $15–$164 + skills test in a combination vehicle. Requires full ELDT (theory + behind-the-wheel in a tractor-trailer) — the longest and most expensive training track.
Same state fee schedule as Class A. ELDT is required but completed in a single vehicle (straight truck, dump truck, bus), so programs are typically shorter and cheaper than Class A.
Same state fee schedule. ELDT applies only when adding H, P, or S endorsements — the typical Class C cost is the license fee plus endorsement knowledge tests.
Endorsement fees have two parts: your state's per-endorsement fee (varies — see your state's page) and the test or federal-check costs below.
TSA threat-assessment fee per tsa.gov (effective Jan 1, 2025).
Entry Level Driver Training is federally required for first-time Class A/B applicants and for H, P, and S endorsements, but there is no government-set price — each FMCSA-registered provider prices its own program, and tuition (typically the largest cost of getting a CDL, often thousands of dollars) varies widely by program length, location, and whether a carrier sponsors it. Compare registered providers in your state in our CDL schools directory or the federal Training Provider Registry.
| State | CDL Fee | Renewal | Valid | Skills Test* | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36 | $36 | 4 yrs | ~$150 | AL DMV ↗ |
| Alaska | $100 | $100 | 5 yrs | ~$200 | AK DMV ↗ |
| Arizona | $25 | $25 | 5 yrs | ~$100 | AZ DMV ↗ |
| Arkansas | $40 | $40 | 4 yrs | ~$120 | AR DMV ↗ |
| California | $70 | $70 | 5 yrs | ~$75 | CA DMV ↗ |
| Colorado | $105 | $105 | 5 yrs | ~$150 | CO DMV ↗ |
| Connecticut | $60 | $60 | 4 yrs | ~$150 | CT DMV ↗ |
| Delaware | $40 | $40 | 8 yrs | ~$100 | DE DMV ↗ |
| Florida | $75 | $75 | 4 yrs | ~$200 | FL DMV ↗ |
| Georgia | $32 | $32 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | GA DMV ↗ |
| Hawaii | $20 | $20 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | HI DMV ↗ |
| Idaho | $40 | $40 | 5 yrs | ~$100 | ID DMV ↗ |
| Illinois | $60 | $60 | 4 yrs | ~$150 | IL DMV ↗ |
| Indiana | $42 | $42 | 4 yrs | ~$150 | IN DMV ↗ |
| Iowa | $52 | $52 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | IA DMV ↗ |
| Kansas | $26 | $26 | 6 yrs | ~$150 | KS DMV ↗ |
| Kentucky | $64 | $64 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | KY DMV ↗ |
| Louisiana | $66 | $66 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | LA DMV ↗ |
| Maine | $30 | $30 | 6 yrs | ~$75 | ME DMV ↗ |
| Maryland | $72 | $72 | 8 yrs | ~$150 | MD DMV ↗ |
| Massachusetts | $75 | $75 | 5 yrs | ~$150 | MA DMV ↗ |
| Michigan | $25 | $25 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | MI DMV ↗ |
| Minnesota | $48 | $48 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | MN DMV ↗ |
| Mississippi | $56 | $56 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | MS DMV ↗ |
| Missouri | $50 | $50 | 6 yrs | ~$100 | MO DMV ↗ |
| Montana | $49 | $49 | 4 yrs | ~$60 | MT DMV ↗ |
| Nebraska | $55 | $55 | 5 yrs | ~$65 | NE DMV ↗ |
| Nevada | $59 | $59 | 4 yrs | ~$70 | NV DMV ↗ |
| New Hampshire | $50 | $50 | 4 yrs | ~$65 | NH DMV ↗ |
| New Jersey | $105 | $105 | 4 yrs | ~$150 | NJ DMV ↗ |
| New Mexico | $18 | $18 | 8 yrs | ~$40 | NM DMV ↗ |
| New York | $164 | $164 | 8 yrs | ~$175 | NY DMV ↗ |
| North Carolina | $65 | $65 | 5 yrs | ~$150 | NC DMV ↗ |
| North Dakota | $15 | $15 | 6 yrs | ~$50 | ND DMV ↗ |
| Ohio | $72 | $72 | 4 yrs | ~$175 | OH DMV ↗ |
| Oklahoma | $52 | $52 | 4 yrs | ~$60 | OK DMV ↗ |
| Oregon | $60 | $60 | 8 yrs | ~$75 | OR DMV ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | $90 | $90 | 4 yrs | ~$175 | PA DMV ↗ |
| Rhode Island | $72 | $72 | 5 yrs | ~$150 | RI DMV ↗ |
| South Carolina | $25 | $25 | 5 yrs | ~$100 | SC DMV ↗ |
| South Dakota | $30 | $30 | 5 yrs | ~$100 | SD DMV ↗ |
| Tennessee | $55 | $55 | 5 yrs | ~$150 | TN DMV ↗ |
| Texas | $97 | $97 | 8 yrs | ~$75 | TX DMV ↗ |
| Utah | $52 | $52 | 5 yrs | ~$100 | UT DMV ↗ |
| Vermont | $75 | $75 | 4 yrs | ~$150 | VT DMV ↗ |
| Virginia | $64 | $64 | 8 yrs | ~$120 | VA DMV ↗ |
| Washington | $105 | $105 | 5 yrs | ~$150 | WA DMV ↗ |
| West Virginia | $40 | $40 | 5 yrs | ~$100 | WV DMV ↗ |
| Wisconsin | $34 | $34 | 8 yrs | ~$100 | WI DMV ↗ |
| Wyoming | $60 | $60 | 4 yrs | ~$100 | WY DMV ↗ |
*Skills-test figures are approximate; third-party examiners set their own rates. Fee data compiled from each state DMV's published schedule — follow the source link for the current official figure.
The state CDL license fee runs $15 (North Dakota) to $164 (New York), with a national median of $55. On top of the license fee, budget for the knowledge test ($0–$35; included free in 25 states) and the skills test ($40–$200, median $100). Total government fees typically land between $60 and $350 depending on your state — training tuition is separate and set by each school.
The CDL knowledge (written) test costs $0–$35 depending on the state — 25 states include it in the application or license fee. The skills (road) test costs $40–$200, with a median around $100. Many states allow third-party examiners, whose fees can run higher than the state DMV rate.
A commercial learner's permit (CLP) requires passing the knowledge test ($0–$35 depending on the state) plus a state permit-issuance fee that varies by state. The CLP must be held at least 14 days before taking the skills test. Check your state's page for its exact permit fee schedule.
In most states the license fee is the same for every CDL class — $15–$164 by state, median $55. What makes a Class A cost more is training and testing scope: Class A requires Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) with behind-the-wheel hours in a combination vehicle, and the skills test is taken in a tractor-trailer. Training tuition is set by each FMCSA-registered school, not the state.
The state license fee is generally identical for Class A and Class B — the fee is for the CDL itself, not the class. Class B training programs are usually shorter and cheaper than Class A programs because the behind-the-wheel requirement is met in a single vehicle (straight truck, dump truck, or bus) instead of a combination vehicle, and the skills test vehicle is simpler.
Class C uses the same state license fee schedule as Class A and B ($15–$164 by state). Class C applicants typically add a passenger (P) or hazmat (H) endorsement, each requiring a knowledge test and — for H — a TSA security threat assessment ($85.25, or $41 with a valid TWIC).
CDL renewal costs $15 (North Dakota) to $164 (New York), median $55, and licenses are valid 4–8 years depending on the state. Interstate drivers must also keep a DOT medical certificate current (renewed every 2 years, priced by the examiner), and a hazmat endorsement renewal repeats the TSA threat assessment ($85.25).
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: FMCSA — Commercial Driver's LicenseLast reviewed: 2026-04