Renewing Your CDL

In New Jersey, you must renew your commercial driver's license (CDL) every four years. You will receive your renewal application through the mail from the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) five to seven weeks before your license expires. If you fail to renew within three years of that date, you won't be eligible to renew―you'll need to apply for a new CDL from scratch.

To renew your CDL:

• Visit any MVC Agency.

• Present the completed renewal application, your current CDL, and proof of identity.

After you pay the renewal fee ($42 plus $2 per endorsement), you will be issued a new license. In addition, some commercial drivers will want to add an endorsement to their CDL, which will require additional testing and fees.

You may not renew your CDL online or through the mail; you must do so in person.

Renewing a Hazardous Materials Endorsement

Commercial drivers who hold a hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsement have to take additional steps to renew their CDLs. To keep the endorsement, you must submit to a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check every time you renew. You might also be asked to retake the hazmat endorsement written test every time you renew.