Alaska (CDL) Commercial Driver License
A commercial driver license (CDL) is required for a resident of Alaska who
is driving a vehicle intrastate (19 & above) or interstate (21 & above) with
a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. If you will be
driving a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, or transporting hazardous
materials, regardless of the GVWR, a CDL is required. A commercial driver may
have only one license and that license must be issued by their home state. Those
exempted from the commercial driver licensing requirements include drivers of
recreational, military and emergency vehicles. Farm vehicles are exempt if controlled
and operated by a farmer, used to transport agricultural products or machinery
to and from a farm, not used in for-hire or contract carrier operations, and
if driven no further than 150 miles from the farm.
An instruction permit for
specified commercial type or class of motor vehicle is valid for a period not
to exceed 180 days. A commercial instruction permit may be renewed one time
for a period of 180 days.
Your social security number is required to obtain
a CDL. The commercial driver license fee is $100.00. There is a $25.00 non-refundable
fee for those requiring a road test. You must hold a CDL permit for at minimum
of 14 days before taking a CDL skills test.
To transfer a CDL from another state to Alaska, you must:
- Complete an Application for Commercial Driver License (Form 415) and Commercial Driver Medical & Self Certification Verification (Form 413).
- Provide proof of the following: Date of birth, legal name, social security number and your physical address IN Alaska.
- Surrender your valid license from another state. (Cannot be expired for over 1 year.)
- Pass the written "Rules of the Road" test to convert to an Alaska license.
(20 questions)
- Pass the "Hazardous Materials" test if you have that endorsement and wish to keep it.
Effective January 31, 2005, you are required to pass a background check in order to obtain or retain a hazardous materials endorsement.
- Pass any knowledge tests for endorsements that you wish to add to your license and do not have on your current license. Some endorsements require a road test.
- Pass a vision test.
- Pay the $100.00 fee for an Alaska CDL.
Note: If your CDL from another state has been expired over one year, you must pass ALL written tests that apply to the type of license you wish to obtain. A road test is required if the license has been expired over five years.
If you need help . . .
determining what Class of CDL you need based upon the type
of vehicle you will drive (A, B or C) or are not sure which CDL
Endorsements you need based upon the type of loads you will carry; use the
free CDL Selector Tool . . .
Alaska
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which AK CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Classes of Alaska CDL and Required Tests
CDL Class |
Tests Required |
Possible Endorsements and Required Tests |
Class A
(Combination vehicle endorsement required) |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Combination Endorsement Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
Class B |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam |
|
Class C |
General Knowledge Written Exam
Road Exam
Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one. |
|
Alaska CDL Endorsements
Exam |
Time Allowed (Minutes) |
# of Questions on Exam |
# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass |
General Knowledge |
60 |
50 |
40 |
Air Brakes |
25 |
25 |
20 |
HazMat |
30 |
30 |
24 |
Tank |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Passenger |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Doubles/Triples |
20 |
20 |
16 |
Combination Vehicles |
20 |
20 |
16 |
School Bus |
20 |
20 |
16 |
In addition to the Alaska CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the Alaska CDL and in the free Alaska CDL Handbook (which is quite boring and a bit confusing - and doesn't have a single multiple-choice question in it that is asked on the actual tests), the complete online
prep program will prepare you to easily pass your
Alaska CDL written exams to get your Alaska CDL permit. The skills test modules are invaluable to give you a head start before doing your
work, possibly saving you a lot of money. The Alaska CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .