A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Utah to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Utah CDL fees start at $52 for a 5-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 Utah 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 security threat assessment and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Relevant for chemical, fuel, and mining material haulers operating in Utah's industrial corridors.
Required for bulk liquid or gas transport. Common for fuel haulers and Kennecott copper mine chemical supply operations in Salt Lake Valley.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) contractors and ski resort shuttle operators.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required.
Class A CDL required. Double and triple trailers are common on I-80 and I-15 for long-haul western US operations through Utah.
Combination of H and N endorsements. TSA background check applies. Common for petroleum and industrial chemical haulers.
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 Utah →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner, valid up to 24 months. Self-certify your operating category and submit the MEC copy to the Utah Driver License Division. Intrastate CDL holders may use Utah state physical standards.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a Utah Driver License Division office with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Utah residency. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL fee is approximately $52. Visit dld.utah.gov for current requirements and office locations.
Utah CDLs are valid for 5 years. Your DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate must be renewed separately — typically every 24 months for most interstate drivers, or more frequently based on your medical examiner's determination.
There is no Utah-specific mountain driving certification required for a CDL. However, the ELDT program's road test component will cover grade management. Utah DOT and FMCSA publish chain control requirements and runaway truck ramp locations. Understanding engine braking, proper gear selection, and recognizing brake fade on long descents is critical for Utah's canyon routes.
Yes. Kennecott Bingham Canyon copper mine and its associated facilities generate significant CDL employment for haul truck operators, equipment transport, and chemical supply logistics. Mine operations typically use specialized off-highway equipment (which may not require a CDL) but road transport of ore concentrates, chemicals, and equipment requires standard CDL classes and often HazMat or Tank endorsements.
The Salt Lake City Inland Port is a state-designated logistics zone intended to facilitate international freight movement by rail and truck, reducing the need to route containers to distant coastal ports. As the port develops, it is expected to increase drayage, intermodal, and warehousing CDL demand in the Salt Lake Valley. Class A CDL is the primary qualification for intermodal drayage work.
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Utah CDL fee is approximately $52 for original and renewal. Knowledge test fees apply separately. Skills test fees vary by provider, typically $75–$150. Verify current fee amounts at dld.utah.gov before scheduling.
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: Utah UT Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026