Your California commercial driver's license (CDL) must be renewed every five years. Changes in state and federal law have forced changes in the process, especially for those who hold a hazardous materials endorsement.

Top How to Renew Your CDL

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will send you a renewal notice specifying which renewal options are open. The options are renewing by mail, online, or by appearing in person at a local DMV office.

For a Class A, B, or C commercial licenses, the renewal fee is $34 if you renew in person or online, or $40 by mail. There are additional fees to add an endorsement or remove a restriction, as well as further testing.

Top Renewing a Hazmat Endorsement

A major change to the CDL requirements is that if you currently hold a hazmat endorsement, you must undergo a background check conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This is true even if you underwent a background check when you got your license. The USA Patriot Act requires this to better control hazardous materials, for public safety.

Schedule an appointment with a TSA agent to initiate the process. You may do this online or by calling (877) 429-7746.

To get information on how to get hazmat endorsements to begin with, be sure to read our Applying for a New CDL page.

Top Medical Clearance

The DMV requires all CDL holders to submit a medical certification every two years, so if it's been that long for you, you'll have to make an appointment with your doctor to fill out a medical examination report. Please note: The DMV will no longer accept this form with a revision date before February 2004.

Your employer must pay for the exam if you need a CDL to do your job; and if you're getting the exam after you already have the job.

If You Carry Passengers

If you drive a school bus, pupil activity bus, youth bus, general public paratransit carrier, or farm labor vehicle, your medical examination report must be signed by either a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathy. No other health practitioner signatures will be accepted.

Our content is updated based on input from users like you. Help make it better!