A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in New Jersey to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. New Jersey CDL fees start at $105 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 New Jersey 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 and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Critical for the port complex and petrochemical industry in the Bayway/Linden corridor — one of the densest HazMat transport areas in the US.
Required for liquid or gas bulk tank operations. New Jersey has a dense petrochemical infrastructure along the Turnpike — tank endorsement is in high demand for petroleum product haulers.
Required for buses carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.
Requires P endorsement. New Jersey requires additional background checks and fingerprinting beyond federal requirements for school bus operators.
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Class A CDL required.
Combination of H and N endorsements; TSA background check applies. Essential for petroleum product transport on the NJ Turnpike petrochemical corridor from Bayway to the Delaware River.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR) at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in New Jersey →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. The MEC is valid for up to 24 months (shorter for drivers with certain conditions). Submit the MEC copy to New Jersey MVC and self-certify as 'non-excepted interstate'.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a New Jersey MVC agency with proof of identity, New Jersey residency, and Social Security Number. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL original fee is $105 — one of the higher fees in the region.
New Jersey CDLs are valid for 4 years. Your DOT Medical Certificate is separate — most interstate drivers must renew it every 24 months or as required by your medical examiner. Renew at any NJ MVC agency before expiration.
The NJ Turnpike has specific commercial vehicle lane requirements — trucks are generally restricted to the right lanes on the local-express sections. Certain exits and ramps have height and weight restrictions. E-ZPass is required for efficient toll payment. Some hazardous materials are restricted from certain tunnels and port approach routes. Review the NJTA commercial vehicle guide before routing.
Port Newark/Port Elizabeth drayage requires a Class A CDL, a valid TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) card, a valid chassis inspection, and UIIA (Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement) compliance. The TWIC card requires a TSA background check and takes several weeks to process. Register with port terminal operators or a drayage company once credentialed.
Yes. New Jersey has a published truck route network and many local roads prohibit through-truck traffic. Hazmat routes near the port and through Hudson County tunnels have additional restrictions. The NJ Division of Motor Vehicles and NJDOT publish truck route maps. Always verify your route for height, weight, and hazmat restrictions before dispatching — fines for violations are substantial.
Browse commercial trucks for sale from dealers in New Jersey on TruckRadar.
New Jersey CDL fees of $105 are among the highest in the mid-Atlantic region. Fees subject to change — verify current amounts at nj.gov/mvc. Skills test fees vary by location. E-ZPass is required for NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway commercial operations. DOT Medical Certificate renewed separately per FMCSA requirements.
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: New Jersey NJ Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026