Arizona CDL Instruction Permit
If you are a first-time CDL applicant, you must obtain an Arizona CDL instruction
permit to operate a vehicle requiring a CDL on the highway. The Arizona CDL instruction
permit is valid for six months. The minimum age for an Arizona CDL is 21. If you
are at least 18, you may apply for an intrastate Arizona CDL that is valid only
in Arizona. Drivers under the age of 21 are prohibited from transporting hazardous
materials.
To obtain an Arizona CDL instruction permit, you must follow these instructions
provided on this page.
First, have the following documents on hand before you pay any fees or take any
tests:
- Properly completed Medical Examiner Certificate or ADOT card (available
at any CDL office). You must have a current physical examination. This examination
may be performed by a licensed doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, physician
assistant, advanced practice nurse or doctor of chiropractic.
- Social Security card
- Valid operator license
- Acceptable forms of identification
- Arizona law and FMCSA regulation 49 CFR 383.71 require that you submit proof
that your presence in the United States is authorized under federal law. See
CDL Documentation Requirements for a listing of acceptable proof of authorized
presence.
- You need at least two documents listed - one must have a clear photo of
you
- Or three documents listed with no photo
- One must be listed under the Primary column
- All must be originals or copies, in English, certified by the issuing agency
- Additional documents needed for a name change (e.g., marriage certificate,
divorce decree). You must first change your name with the Social Security
Administration.
- Arizona CDL documentation requirements may change without notice.
Then, prove one year of driving experience in a vehicle other than a motorcycle. For drivers with an Arizona license, this information is already available on our database. For out-of-state applicants, your out-of-state license must have been issued more than one year ago or you must provide a motor vehicle record (MVR) issued by another state that is less than 30 days old and shows proof of at least one year of driving history. No third-party MVRs will be accepted.
Finally, successfully complete all applicable knowledge testing. Use the ArizonaCommercial Driver License Manual as a study reference. The manual is available
online or at any Arizona CDL office. For Arizona CDL offices outside the Phoenix
and Tucson metro areas, an appointment is required to take the knowledge tests.
You must pay for the class of license prior to taking the test. The fees are:
- Class A or B permit, no endorsements: $25
- Class C permit*: $12.50 (must have a P endorsement; HME not allowed on Class C permits)
- Doubles/triples trailers endorsement: $10
- Tank endorsement: $10
- HME: $10
- Motorcycle endorsement: $ 7
- School bus** endorsement: No fee
- Passenger endorsement: $10
*NOTE: A Class C Arizona CDL must include a Passenger or HazMat endorsement, although,
only those applying for a Class C with a Passenger endorsement will be issued
a permit. Class C permits can not be issued with a HazMat endorsement.
**NOTE: To add a passenger and/or school bus endorsement, you must obtain an ArizonaCDL instruction permit with the passenger and/or school bus endorsement for the
class of bus you intend to drive. Then, you must take Arizona CDL pre-trip, basic
controls and road/skills tests in the appropriate class of bus/school bus.
Arizona CDL (commercial driver's license) Fees
- New or Transfer from Another State
- Class A or B: $25
- Class C (must include a P endorsement or HME): $12.50
- Duplicate $12
- Renewal
- Class A or B: $15
- Class C: $10
- HME: $10 (knowledge test required)
- Required Road/Skills Tests
- Class A or B vehicle: $25
- Class C vehicle: $12.50
- Passenger or school bus endorsement: $5 (when adding to an existing Arizona CDL)
- Please add $10 for each endorsement you require (hazmat, tanker, doubles/triples
or passenger). Motorcycle endorsement is $7.
Arizona CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the
Arizona Knowledge Tests that are required for
the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general
knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed
by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained
in the
FREE Arizona CDL Handbook. Please read and study this
manual carefully.
- Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
- Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
- Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air
brakes vehicles..
- Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
- School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
- Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.
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 . . .
Arizona
Go to CDL Selector Tool
Not sure which AZ CDL Tests you need to pass? Use this tool to determine what Class of CDL and which CDL Endorsements you require.
Classes of Arizona 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. |
|
Arizona 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 Arizona CDL (commercial driver's license) information found in our website covering the Arizona CDL and in the free Arizona 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
Arizona CDL written exams to get your Arizona 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 Arizona CDL test prep program includes the following features . . .