Florida CDL Requirements: Classes, Fees, and the FLHSMV Process

Florida CDL Requirements: Classes, Fees, and the FLHSMV Process

Florida issues CDLs through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), with skills testing distributed across third-party testing sites — not centralized at state offices. That third-party model means you'll pay two sets of fees: a base state fee for the credential, plus a private testing fee for your skills exam. This guide explains both and walks every step.

Last verified: 2026-04-17 against FLHSMV CDL pages and 49 CFR Parts 383 and 380.¹²³

Key Takeaways

• Issuing agency: Florida DHSMV — flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/commercial-driver-license/¹
• CDL classes offered: A, B, and C
• Core fees: $75 for a new/renewal CDL; $7 per endorsement; $48 for School Board CDL²
• Age rule: 18 minimum (intrastate only under 21); 21 for interstate under federal 49 CFR 391.11
• Residency: Florida residency of 6+ months must be documented for original CDL or CLP applicants¹
• CLP holding period: at least 14 days before skills test (federal)³
• Skills testing: contracted to private third-party testing sites; fees $150–$700 depending on class and location (private, not FLHSMV)⁴
• Renewal cycle: 8 years standard; 4 years if the CDL carries a Hazmat endorsement¹

Florida CDL classes

Florida follows federal class definitions under 49 CFR Part 383:³¹

A Class A credential lets you drive Class B and C vehicles; the inverse is not true.

Age, residency, and eligibility

• Minimum age: 18 for Florida intrastate. Under 21 CMV operators are restricted to intrastate only.¹
• Interstate age: 21 per federal 49 CFR 391.11.
• Florida residency: FLHSMV requires documentation of 6+ months of Florida residency for original CDL / CLP issuance. Acceptable documents include Florida driver's license, lease or mortgage, deed, voter registration, homestead exemption, or statement of domicile.¹
• Lawful presence: U.S. citizenship or documented lawful presence.
• Medical certification: Federal MEC (MCSA-5876) required under normal commercial categories per self-certification; Florida participates in the federal Medical Certification Integration electronic transmission.⁵

Self-certification categories

Florida requires self-certification into one of the four federal categories at application under 49 CFR 383.71:⁶

• Non-excepted interstate (NI)
• Excepted interstate (EI)
• Non-excepted intrastate (NA)
• Excepted intrastate (EA)

Endorsements available in Florida

Florida issues the standard federal endorsement set:¹

• H — Hazardous materials (requires TSA background check)
• N — Tank vehicles
• P — Passenger
• S — School bus (requires P endorsement)
• T — Doubles / triples (Class A only)
• X — Combined H + N (hazmat-tanker)

Current fees at FLHSMV

All fees below are from the FLHSMV fees page, current as of verification on 2026-04-17:²

Skills testing is separate. Florida contracts with private third-party skills test providers, not FLHSMV offices. Those providers set their own fees: $150–$700 depending on class and location.⁴ This is a state-specific structure — most states test at DMV; Florida outsources skills testing.

TSA fee for Hazmat background check is separate and not paid to FLHSMV.⁷

Verify the current FLHSMV fee at flhsmv.gov/fees/ on the day of your application.² Our editorial policy re-verifies these figures at least every 180 days.

How to get a Florida CDL: step by step

Step 1 — Verify Florida residency

Gather documentation showing you've resided in Florida for at least 6 months: Florida driver license, current Florida lease or mortgage, deed, voter registration, or homestead exemption.¹

Step 2 — Pass the DOT physical

Find a Certified Medical Examiner (CME) on the FMCSA National Registry.⁵ The CME transmits your MEC electronically to FMCSA; Florida receives it as part of your CDL record.

Step 3 — Complete the CLP application

Apply for the Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) at a FLHSMV driver license office (or local Tax Collector office that issues FLHSMV licenses). Bring identity, residency, SSN, lawful presence, and self-certification documents.¹

Step 4 — Pass vision and CLP knowledge tests

At the FLHSMV office, take a vision screening and CDL knowledge tests. Tests include General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles (Class A), and any endorsement-specific knowledge tests you need.¹ Tests are administered in English only; interpreters are prohibited per federal rule.¹

Step 5 — Receive your CLP

Florida CLP is valid for 180 days (federal standard).³ Verify the CLP fee at the time of application on the current FLHSMV fees page.

Step 6 — Complete FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

For first-time Class A or Class B applicants, class upgrade applicants, or first-time H / P / S endorsement applicants, ELDT is federally required at a FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) provider.⁸ Florida has many TPR-registered schools, community colleges, and carrier-operated programs.

Step 7 — Wait the 14-day minimum CLP holding period

Federal rule: at least 14 days between CLP issuance and skills test.³

Step 8 — Schedule third-party skills testing

Florida does not administer skills tests at FLHSMV offices. Contact a FLHSMV-contracted third-party CDL skills testing site — typically a CDL school, training company, or testing contractor.⁴ Directory available through FLHSMV's website. Fee ranges $150–$700 based on class and provider.

Step 9 — Pass the three-part skills test

• Vehicle inspection (pre-trip)
• Basic vehicle control
• On-road driving¹

Step 10 — Return to FLHSMV to receive your CDL

With third-party test results, return to a FLHSMV or Tax Collector office to pay the $75 CDL fee and have your credential issued.²

Hazmat endorsement — three gates

Adding H (or X) in Florida requires:

1. FMCSA ELDT hazmat theory⁸
2. TSA Hazmat Endorsement Threat Assessment background check and fingerprinting⁷
3. Florida hazmat knowledge test at a FLHSMV office
4. $7 FLHSMV endorsement fee (per endorsement)²

Important Florida-specific hazmat detail: a CDL carrying a Hazmat endorsement has a 4-year renewal cycle in Florida rather than the standard 8-year cycle.¹ This is because TSA hazmat background clearances expire on that cycle and must be renewed.

Florida medical certification

Under federal Medical Certification Integration, your CME transmits your MEC electronically to FMCSA; FLHSMV receives it as part of your CDL record.⁵ Maintain current certification; an expired MEC will trigger a CDL downgrade.

CDL renewal in Florida

• Standard CDL (no hazmat): 8 years between renewals¹
• CDL with Hazmat endorsement: 4 years (aligned with TSA hazmat clearance cycle)¹

Renewal fee: $75 (Commercial) or $48 (School Board Commercial).²

Start the renewal process before expiration. Lapsed CDLs may require retesting.

Florida-specific details worth knowing

• Third-party skills testing is a defining Florida feature — budget accordingly ($150–$700 on top of state fees).⁴
• 4-year renewal for hazmat vs. 8-year standard — plan ahead for renewal windows if you carry H.¹
• 6-month Florida residency requirement for original CDL / CLP — keep documents ready.¹
• Tax Collector offices issue FLHSMV licenses in many Florida counties; this is a state-unique administrative structure. Some Tax Collector offices charge a $6.25 service fee in addition to the state fee.²
• School Board CDL is a separate fee tier ($48 vs. $75) for school bus drivers employed by Florida school districts.²

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the Florida skills test done privately? A: FLHSMV contracts third-party test administrators to handle CDL skills testing; FLHSMV retains CLP knowledge testing at its offices. This split means you pay FLHSMV for the credential and a private provider for the skills test.⁴

Q: How much does a Florida CDL cost all-in? A: Base FLHSMV fees: $75 CDL + $7 per endorsement.² Add third-party skills testing ($150–$700).⁴ Add ELDT tuition ($3,000–$8,000 at private CDL schools, community colleges often lower — verify locally). Add DOT physical ($75–$150 typical). Add Tax Collector office fee if applicable ($6.25). Add TSA Hazmat fee if H.

Q: Does Florida accept out-of-state CDLs? A: Yes, but you must transfer to a Florida CDL within 30 days of establishing Florida residency. Out-of-state CDLs are honored for visitors; residents must convert.¹

Q: Can I take the knowledge test in Spanish? A: No. CDL knowledge tests are English-only nationwide per federal rule.¹

Q: How long is my CLP valid? A: 180 days, in line with federal rule.³

Q: What Florida counties use Tax Collector offices for CDL? A: Most Florida counties. The administrative division varies; check your county's tax collector for CDL services or go directly to a FLHSMV driver license office.

Q: If my hazmat clears TSA, does that clear other states too? A: TSA clearance is federal. You still need each state's hazmat knowledge test if transferring and each state's endorsement fee. The TSA background clearance itself is portable.⁷

Q: Does Florida participate in the Military Skills Test Waiver? A: Yes, Florida participates.⁹ Active or recently separated military CMV drivers meeting FMCSA eligibility may waive the skills test portion.

Q: My MEC expired — will my Florida CDL downgrade? A: Yes. FLHSMV will downgrade your CDL to non-commercial if your medical certification lapses past the allowable window. Submit new MEC via the federal electronic system to restore.⁵

Q: What if I fail the skills test at a third-party site? A: You can reschedule. Retest fees and wait policies vary by provider (not FLHSMV). Some providers impose a 7-day or 14-day wait between attempts.

Q: Can I add multiple endorsements in one transaction? A: Yes. The $7 per-endorsement fee is paid for each; each endorsement knowledge test is taken separately.²

Q: Are school bus drivers' requirements stricter in Florida? A: Yes. Florida school bus drivers need the federal P and S endorsements plus Florida-specific school bus training. School districts typically administer the additional training. FLHSMV issues a School Board CDL for $48.²

Sources verified on 2026-04-17

This guide is educational and not legal advice. Fees and rules change; verify current figures at flhsmv.gov before applying. Report errors to [email protected]; corrections are logged publicly per our editorial policy.