Renewing Your CDL in Pennsylvania

How to Renew a CDL in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will mail you a renewal notice about 3 months prior to the expiration date of your commercial driver's license (CDL). To save the hassle of having to wait in line at a Driver and Vehicle Service Center, this allows you to renew by mail. Unlike a regular driver's license, you cannot renew a CDL online.

To renew, you will need to complete a CDL renewal application (Form DL-143CD). You can grab one at any PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services rather than download it, if you like.

You may also be asked to have a new completed Medical Examination Report (Form 649-F) or a medical certification.


Hazardous Materials Endorsements

If you are renewing your hazmat endorsement for the first time since the requirements of the US PATRIOT Act became mandatory, you will need to:

  • Pass the hazmat recertification knowledge exam.
  • Visit any PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services office and provide proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. passport, valid birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of U.S. citizenship) or legal immigration status (permanent resident card, Temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport, or reentry permit).
  • Complete an Application for Security Threat Assessment (Form DL-288). This will be included in the mail with your renewal notice. The state forwards this to the Department of Homeland Security.
  • Put your fingerprints on record.
  • Pay an additional fee for the fingerprinting and background check.

Pennsylvania CDL Renewal Fees

Your CDL will be valid for 4 years, or 2 years if you're 65 years old or over (the fees shown below reflect this):

  • CDL: $147.50 or $69.50
  • CDL with HAZMAT endorsement: $168.50 or $90.50
  • CDL with Class M: $147.50 or $81.50
  • CDL with Class M and HAZMAT endorsement: $168.50 or $81.50

Mail your renewal application along with payment to the address on the form.

New Federal Requirements

You must self-certify your type of vehicle operation with PennDOT. This means you must self-certify one of the following driving categories:

  • Non-Excepted Interstate
  • Excepted Interstate
  • Non-Excepted Intrastate
  • Excepted Intrastate

If you choose Non-Excepted Interstate, you must, in addition to a completed Self-Certification Form (Form DL-11CD) provide PennDOT with a federal medical certificate.

Visit PennDOT's Fact Sheet page for full information.

Forms

649-F
Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination
Use this form to disclose your medical history and pertinent medical information as part of a Pennsylvania commercial driver's license application.
DL-11CD
Self-Certification Form
Used to disclose if you'll be an interstate OR intrastate commercial driver. Required when applying for a Pennsylvania CDL.
DL-143CD
Renewal of a Commercial Drivers License
Submit this form to the PA Department of Transportation to renew your CDL.
DL-288
Hazardous Materials Endorsement Application for Security Threat Assessment
Submit this form to PennDOT when applying for a hazardous materials endorsement on your CDL.
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