A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Illinois to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Illinois CDL fees start at $60 for a 4-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Illinois CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA background check required. Valid 5 years.
Required for operating bulk liquid/gas tank vehicles.
Required for vehicles designed to carry 16+ passengers including the driver.
Requires P endorsement. Illinois requires additional state school bus driver approval.
Class A CDL required. Note: Triple trailers prohibited in Illinois.
TSA background check required.
ELDT required per 49 CFR Part 380 for first-time Class A or B applicants and H, P, S endorsement upgrades. Must train through a provider in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Illinois →Interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate from an FMCSA-certified examiner, valid up to 24 months. Submit self-certification and MEC copy to Illinois Secretary of State. Intrastate CDL drivers may use an Illinois intrastate medical standard under 92 Ill. Admin. Code Part 1010.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at an Illinois Secretary of State driver facility. Pass the applicable knowledge tests, complete ELDT training through an FMCSA-registered provider, then pass the skills test. CDL fee is approximately $60 for 4 years.
No. Triple trailers are prohibited in Illinois. CDL holders with a T endorsement in Illinois may only legally operate double trailers. Verify route-specific restrictions before crossing into or out of Illinois with a triple.
Illinois CDLs are valid for 4 years. DOT Medical Certificates must be renewed separately — typically every 24 months for most interstate drivers.
Yes. Oversized and overweight loads on Chicago city streets require a separate city permit in addition to the Illinois IDOT oversize/overweight permit. Contact the Chicago Department of Transportation for local permitting.
Most tanker trucks require a Class B CDL at minimum, plus the N (tank) endorsement. If the tanker is part of a combination vehicle (tractor + tank trailer) with a GCWR over 26,001 lbs, a Class A CDL with N endorsement is required.
Browse commercial trucks for sale from dealers in Illinois on TruckRadar.
Illinois CDL fee is approximately $60 for a 4-year license. Knowledge test included in application fee. Skills test fees vary by testing provider. Verify current amounts at ilsos.gov.
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: Illinois IL Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026