Commercial Driver License

CDL Changes

Drivers who did not complete self-certification by January 30, 2014 may lose their driving privilege. See CDL Self-Certification.

Certified Medical Examiners: All medical certificates issued on or after May 21, 2014, must be issued only by examiners listed in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. See the DMV Bulletin and visit the National Registry for more information.

You must have a Commercial Driver License (CDL) to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

A commercial motor vehicle is a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle —

  1. Has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or
  2. Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; or
  3. Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
  4. Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require placarding.

How to Apply

Truck and Driver

First-time CDL applicants must visit a CDL office. Currently licensed CDL drivers may visit DMV Full Service Offices to submit a DOT physical, self-certify their type of driving or transfer an existing out-of-state license.

Skills tests are administered by appointment at CDL offices only. A number of larger companies and organizations employ third-party certifiers. The DMV also licenses private Commercial Driving Schools.

You must list all states where you have held any commercial or non-commercial driver's license in the past ten years. We will check your driving history in each state. 

You must self-certify the type of driving you do. See CDL Self-Certification. You must recertify your driving anytime you submit a new Medical Examination Card.

Commercial drivers must meet the Residency & Proof of Identity requirements for a standard Nevada driver license.

All applicants must complete a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved physical examination and present a completed Medical Examiner's Certificate. Ensure the expiration date is listed and legible.

You must be at least 21 years of age to be issued a CDL to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce and to receive endorsements for passengers or hazardous materials. You must be at least 25 to receive an endorsement for vehicle combinations over 70 feet in length. CDLs issued to applicants age 18 to 20 will contain Restriction R (no passengers or hazmat) and Restriction 2 (intrastate commerce only).

School Buses

School bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license if they drive a vehicle designed to transport (seat) 16 or more persons, including the driver. School bus drivers must have a school bus endorsement (S) in addition to a passenger endorsement (P) on their commercial driver's license (CDL).

To get the school bus endorsement, you must pass a knowledge test and a skills test for the class of school bus you drive or intend to drive. For more information, see Section 10 of the CDL Handbook.

Restrictions

Nevada restriction codes are changing! The letter designating your restriction may change the next time you receive a new license. For example, the P restriction requring a medical exam will change to JU if the driver is required to submit a physical. See the Restriction Code Matrix and Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 483.

Handbooks & Forms

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Third Party Certifiers - Private Firms & Government Non-Firefighter

Third Party Certifiers - Driving Schools

Third Party Certifiers - Government Firefighters

CDL Offices

You must visit a CDL office to apply or take the tests for a commercial license or for certain non-commercial endorsements. We do not make appointments for applications or knowledge tests.

For general questions on commercial licensing, send an email or call one of our main numbers:

Las Vegas area (702) 486-4368 option 6
Reno/Sparks/Carson City (775) 684-4368 option 6
Elsewhere in Nevada (877) 368-7828 option 6

Use the phone numbers below only to schedule a driving skills test. You must pass any required knowledge test before scheduling a skills test. The dates listed for the new skills test are subject to change.

Carson City
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711-0400
8a-5p M-F | Get Map
(775) 684-4861

North Las Vegas DMV
North Las Vegas CDL Office

Elko
3920 E. Idaho Street
Elko, NV 89801-4970
8a-5p M-F | Get Map
(775) 753-1126

North Las Vegas
4110 Donovan Way
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
8a-5p M-F | Get Map
(702) 486-5655

Sparks
810 E Greg St.
Sparks, NV 89431
8a-5p M-F | Get Map
(775) 688-2535

Winnemucca
3505 Construction Way
Winnemucca, NV 89445-3155
8a-5p M-F | Get Map
(775) 623-6515

DUI Revocation/Suspension Rules

According to federal regulation 49 CFR 383.51, upon receipt of a DUI conviction, a Commercial Driver License will be suspended for one full year (three full years if carrying hazardous materials) for a first offense and for life upon a second or subsequent offense.

A commercial license has two parts: a commercial side (CDL) and a non-commercial side (NCDL). When a driver’s NCDL is revoked or suspended, the CDL is also affected. If he is convicted of a first DUI offense by the court, his NCDL will be revoked for 90 days and his CDL privilege will be suspended for at least one year.

Between the time when a person is arrested for a possible DUI and when he is convicted of DUI by a court of law, there may be a period of time when his license will be revoked. When the court convicts him of the DUI, the commercial side of his license must be suspended for at least one full year. The non-commercial side of his license must also be revoked. However, the number of days he already went without a license can be applied to the end of his non-commercial license penalty period. This would allow him to shorten his 90-day NCDL penalty period by the number of days he is credited. His CDL will still remain suspended for at least one full year.

For example, if a conviction is received for a CDL holder or any individual who was driving a commercial motor vehicle, his CDL will be suspended and his NCDL will be revoked. If the individual went without his license for, say, five weeks, that five weeks may be credited to his NCDL penalty period. He may apply for reinstatement of his NCDL five weeks sooner than the end of his 90-day penalty period. however, No credit will be applied to the 1-year CDL suspension.

Legal References