Applying for a New CDL in New Mexico

Who Needs a CDL?

A commercial driver's license (CDL) must be obtained by anyone who wishes to operate a vehicle:

• Designed to carry 15 passengers or more

• Weighing more than 26,000 pounds

• With a trailer that brings the vehicle's combined weight to more than 26,000 pounds

• With hazardous materials placards on it

Getting a commercial license from the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) isn't as simple as applying for a regular driver's license. Not only must commercial drivers undergo much more rigorous training and testing, but they are also required to be declared fit for the job, according to federal standards, by a medical doctor.

Each endorsement to your license requires its own knowledge and testing. Applicants who wish to transport hazardous materials must also submit to an extensive criminal background check (at their expense) by the Transportation Security Administration. (Hazmat applications are handled only by certain MVD field offices, as listed in this hazmat-drivers notification.)

There is an age requirements as well: You must be at least 18 years old to drive commercial vehicles within the state of New Mexico. If you plan to drive a commercial vehicle to or between destinations outside the state, you must be at least 21.

The Commercial Drivers License Manual (available at MVD offices) is only a starting point to your education. You might be able to pass the knowledge test by studying the manual religiously, but to pass the other licensing tests―including the road skills test―you're going to need professional training.

CDL licensing is handled by the MVD. All transactions (applying for a CDL, testing, and renewing your license) will be handled in person at MVD field offices. You may call the information hotline, (888) 683-4636, for details about application forms, licensing and testing fees, and the process to apply for a CDL.

Getting a Learners Permit

Unless you already have a CDL from another state, in which case you can just transfer your CDL, you must visit an MVD office to get a CDL learner's permit. To get a CDL permit, you must pass the CDL written tests.

Depending on what class of vehicle you wish to drive, you will have to pass at least one written knowledge test to become a licensed commercial driver. The general knowledge test will be given to all CDL candidates.

Study the CDL Manual before taking the test. This has all the information you need. It's also worthwhile to take a few practice tests beforehand.

If your vehicle has other specifications, such as the need for hazardous materials placards or the use of air brakes, then you will have to take additional tests. Bus drivers and tanker-truck drivers also must pass specialized knowledge tests.

Skills (Driving) Tests

Once you're issued a learner's permit and after you've completed your professional driver training you will be required to pass a three-part skills test.

Make this appointment at an outside testing office; see the MVD website for details. The third-party testing service charges varying fees.

The first part of the test, known as the pre-trip vehicle inspection, will determine whether you know what to check your vehicle for before you set off on the highway.

The second part of the skills test is basic vehicle control, which is as straightforward as it sounds: backing, stopping, starting, turning. Finally, you must pass the on-road test, where you will demonstrate to your instructor what kind of driving and safety skills you possess out on the road.

Grade Requirements

For both the knowledge and the skills tests, you must receive a grade of 80% or higher. If you fail any one of the knowledge tests, then you must wait one week before taking it again. After three failing scores, then you will have to wait six months before reapplying for a CDL.

Getting the Regular CDL

Take your proof of passing the skills test back to the MVD with these documents:

• Sealed proof of passing

• Driver's license

• CDL Learner's Permit

• Social Security Card

• USDOT Commercial Driver Medical Form, Federal Medical Waiver Card, or proof of employment by a government entity

• Proof of identity (including date of birth)

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence status in the United States

• Two proofs of physical residency in New Mexico, such as rental agreement, electric bill, etc.

CDL Fees

$18 for 4 years.
$34 for 8years.

Hazmat

A Hazmat operator may only get a 4-year license.

The New Mexico MVD does not do its background check through the TSA; see the MVD for how to complete your hazmat background check and fingerprinting. New Mexico charges $127 for a hazmat background check.

CDL Forms, Applications, and Manual

Though the CDL application form itself is not available online, many auxiliary documents are:

• Commercial Driver License (CDL) Holders with Hazardous Materials Endorsements Notification

• Application for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement

• Commercial Driver's Certification (to waive the driving test)

• Commercial Driver Licensing Medical Examination Certification (the pages in this PDF document are presented last to first)

• Driver Certification for Issuance of a CDL Permit or License

Federal Guidelines

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was designed to improve highway safety. Its purpose was to ensure that drivers of commercial vehicles are qualified to drive them, and to remove unsafe drivers from the highways. The Act didn't require federal driver licensing―states still license commercial drivers―but it established minimum standards that states must meet when issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). It required states to upgrade their existing programs to follow the new federal standards.

Before the Act was passed, many commercial vehicle drivers operated vehicles they were not properly trained on or qualified to drive. Even in states that had separate license classes, drivers were not necessarily tested in the types of vehicles they would be driving. States must now test commercial drivers according to federal standards, to ensure that drivers know how to operate the trucks or buses they intend to drive.

The Act also made it illegal to have more than one driver's license. You can hold a regular or commercial driver's license, but not both. You can have one license from the state you reside in, but not from any other states. In the past, bad drivers could more easily hide their driving histories by getting several licenses. Today, all the states are connected to a national database to check driver histories.

CDL Classes for Every State

To be eligible for a CDL, you must have a clean driving record. Federal regulations require you to pass a physical exam every two years. To operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, you must be at least 21. Many states allow those as young as 18 to drive commercial vehicles within the state. You must be able to read and speak English well enough to read road signs, prepare reports, and communicate with the public and with law enforcement.

The Act established three separate classes of commercial driver's licenses. Every state issues licenses in these categories:

• Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

• Class B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

• Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.

Many states make exceptions for farm vehicles, snow removal vehicles, fire and emergency vehicles, and some military vehicles.

Endorsements

To be licensed for certain types of commercial vehicles, extra testing is required. If you pass, you will receive an endorsement on your CDL. These are the five endorsements that you can apply for. Each requires between one and five knowledge (written) tests, and two require driving (skills) tests.

• T―Double/Triple Trailers (knowledge test only)

• P―Passenger (knowledge and skills tests)

• N―Tank Vehicle (knowledge test only)

• H―Hazardous Materials (knowledge test only)

• S―School Buses (knowledge and skills tests)

Requirements for Medical Certification

In the interest of public safety on the highways, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require interstate commercial drivers to be medically fit to operate their vehicles safely and competently. You are required to have a physical exam and carry a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate if:

• You operate a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW) of 4,536 kilograms (10,001 pounds) or more in interstate commerce.

• You operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, in interstate commerce.

• You operate a motor vehicle designed or used to transport between nine and 15 passengers, for direct compensation, beyond 75 air miles from your regular work-reporting location, in interstate commerce.

• You transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placards, in interstate commerce.

You must carry a current copy of your medical examination certificate with you when you drive. Residents of Mexico or Canada who drive in the United States can be certified by doctors in their countries, provided they meet the U.S. requirements.

Minimum Training Requirements

There are no federal standards in place for on-the-road commercial driver training. The government only requires that you take and pass your CDL knowledge (written) and skills (driving) tests. Longer-combination-vehicle (LCV) drivers must receive training in driver wellness, driver qualifications, hours of service, and whistleblower protection.

Your state's commercial driver's manual is a good place to learn basic information, but you will need to be professionally trained to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

In order to pass your driving skills tests, you will need to learn how to inspect vehicles before driving, learn how to couple and uncouple tractors and trailers, and have plenty of practice driving. This includes driving in different conditions and on different road surfaces, turning, parking, backing up, and braking.

Many motor carriers train their employees, while other drivers take courses at private driving schools, vocational or technical schools, and community colleges. Individual states often approve or certify training courses. The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) has set minimum standards for training curriculums and certifies driver training courses that meet industry and Federal Highway Administration (FHA) guidelines. Many employers require their drivers to take PTDI-approved training.

Some states may specify minimum training guidelines. Check with your state's motor vehicles department to see if there are minimum training requirements to get your CDL.

Hazmat Background Checks

Under the USA PATRIOT Act, commercial drivers transporting hazardous materials (hazmat) must pass a background records check and be fingerprinted. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for conducting the background checks for all commercial drivers with hazmat endorsements or who want to add hazmat endorsements to their licenses. The TSA developed this program to carry out the USA PATRIOT Act mandate and protect citizens from the potential threat of terrorists using hazmat cargo. The requirement is a result of the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56, Section 1012) and the Safe Explosives Act (Public Law 107-296, Section 1121-1123), ARS 28-3103(A)(2), and 49 CFR 1572.

If the TSA disqualifies you because of your background, you can appeal their finding or seek a waiver. However, if you are found guilty of a disqualifying crime, you must declare any disqualifying conditions and surrender your hazmat endorsement (if you already have it) to your state's department of motor vehicles or other licensing agency.

Applying for a Hazardous Materials Background Check

It's federal law for all hazmat operators to undergo a background check and fingerprinting. In New Mexico, a background check with fingerprints costs $127. See an MVD agent for details and information on how to get processed.

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