A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Virginia to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Virginia CDL fees start at $64 for a 8-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 Virginia 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 military supply chain operations, Port of Virginia chemical shipments, and fuel delivery along the I-95 and I-81 corridors.
Required for bulk liquid or gas transport. Common for petroleum product haulers serving the northern Virginia DC suburbs, Hampton Roads fuel supply, and agricultural chemical deliveries in the Shenandoah Valley.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver. WMATA contractors, GRTC in Richmond, Hampton Roads Transit, and charter operations.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required. Virginia school bus operators must meet additional state requirements.
Class A CDL required. Double trailers common on I-81 (one of the highest truck volume Interstates in the US) and I-95 through Virginia.
Combination of H and N endorsements. TSA background check applies. Common for petroleum and chemical tanker operators in the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia markets.
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 Virginia →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 Virginia DMV. Intrastate CDL holders may use Virginia state physical standards.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a Virginia DMV customer service center with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Virginia residency. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL fee is $64. Virginia requires CDL transfer within 30 days of establishing residency — shorter than most states. Visit dmv.virginia.gov for current requirements.
Virginia CDLs are valid for 8 years — one of the longest renewal cycles in the US. Renewal costs $64. Your DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate must be renewed separately — typically every 24 months for most interstate drivers. The long renewal period means your medical certificate will need multiple renewals before your CDL expires.
Yes. Port of Virginia (Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, and Newport News Marine Terminal) requires a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) for unescorted access to secure port areas. A Class A CDL is required for container chassis operations. Apply for TWIC through TSA — note that if you hold an H endorsement with active TSA vetting, the TWIC application process may be streamlined.
Yes. Northern Virginia has extensive commercial vehicle restrictions due to the DC metropolitan area's congestion and infrastructure. Many routes in the Tysons Corner, Arlington, and inner NoVA areas restrict trucks by weight, time of day, or both. I-95, I-495, and I-66 have hours-of-service and weight restrictions in certain segments. Always verify VDOT commercial vehicle restrictions for your specific Northern Virginia route before dispatching.
I-81 through Virginia's Shenandoah Valley carries some of the highest truck traffic volumes of any Interstate highway in the US. The corridor serves as the primary north-south freight route between the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast, carrying massive volumes of through-traffic. The highway has significant grades through the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountain segments. Virginia has implemented truck-only lanes in planning discussions for years due to congestion — check VDOT for any current operational changes.
Browse commercial trucks for sale from dealers in Virginia on TruckRadar.
Virginia CDL fee is $64 for original and renewal with an 8-year renewal cycle — one of the longest in the US. Knowledge tests are administered by the Virginia DMV at no additional charge. Skills test fees vary by provider. Verify current fee amounts at dmv.virginia.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: Virginia VA Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026