Applying for a New CDL in Utah

Driving a commercial vehicle can be a great way to make a living, but in order to do so, you'll first have to get your commercial driver's license (CDL).

The process involves following all national regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and abiding by the licensing process in Utah overseen by the Driver License Division (DLD).

IMPORTANT FEDERAL TRAINING REQUIREMENTS UPDATE 

Per new federal entry-level driver training requirements effective February 7, 2022, the UT Driver License Division now mandates new CDL applicants complete an entry-level driver training course through an authorized provider. You’ll need to complete this training prior to applying for your first commercial driver’s license, upgrading your existing CDL class, or applying for a HAZMAT, school bus, or passenger endorsement.

Who Can Get a Utah CDL?

To be eligible for a Utah commercial learner's permit, you will need to:

  • Be a Utah resident.
  • Be at least 18 years old.*
  • Already have at least 1 year driving experience with a non-CDL license.

*NOTE: Applicants who are under 21 years old will only be permitted to drive commercial motor vehicles within Utah, and will not be able to apply for the following endorsements:

UT Commercial Learner's Permits

Before you can get your Utah commercial driver's license, you'll need to get a commercial learner's permit (CLP). The process is fairly involved, so it may be helpful to take a CDL education course before applying.

When you feel ready to proceed, find a local DLD office where you can schedule a CDL appointment.

Once at your appointment, you'll need to:

  • Provide a completed commercial driver's license application (Form DLD6a).
  • Show proof of the following:
    • Your U.S. citizenship/lawful permanent residency.
    • Your full Social Security number (SSN).
    • Your Utah residency.
      • See “Acceptable Citizenship/SSN/Residency Documents" below for more information.
  • Submit the proper medical paperwork.
  • Pass an eye exam.
  • Submit to a driving record check.
  • Pay the $52 CLP fee, plus any additional fees for endorsements.

After getting your paperwork sorted, you'll also need to pass all written exams for the type of CDL you want, including any endorsements, if applicable. You'll be allowed up to 2 attempts to pass your exam. After that, you will be charged $26 to retake the tests again.

When you've successfully completed all of the above, the DLD will issue your commercial learner's permit.

Acceptable Citizenship/SSN/Residency Documents

Citizenship/Permanent Residency Documents

The Utah Driver License Division will accept the following documents to prove your U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency:

  • A valid, unexpired U.S. passport.
  • A beautiful certified copy of your outstanding birth certificate.
  • A Certificate of Naturalization.
  • A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card.

See the DLD's identification sheet for more examples.

NOTE: If your legal name is now different than the name on these documents due to marriage, divorce, or for other reasons, you must also bring in the legal documentation showing that your name change was approved.

Proof of Social Security Number

You can bring in any of the following to prove your SSN to the DLD:

  • Your Social Security card.
  • A tax form.
  • A pay stub.

All forms must include your name and full Social Security number.

If you aren't eligible for a SSN, you will need a letter from the Social Security Administration explaining that you can not have one due to your legal/lawful presence status.

Proof of Utah Residency

You'll need to bring in 2 documents no more than 90 days old* from this list to prove your Utah residency:

  • A bank statement.
  • Court documents.
  • A current mortgage or rental contract.
  • A major credit card bill.
  • A school transcript.
  • Your current vehicle title.
  • A utility bill.

Any acceptable document must include your name and full address. Documents dated over 90 days will be reviewed by the Division to determine if they are acceptable.

Utah CLP Restrictions

Your CLP will come with its own set of rules, just like a permit to drive a regular car or truck.

Utah commercial learner's permits are valid for 6 months.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires all applicants to keep their CLP for at least 14 days before moving on to their skills tests, but as each state can set its own standards, this timeframe could be different for you. Make sure to ask your local Driver License Division office about the waiting period in Utah.

In the meantime, federal regulations call for all drivers with a commercial learner's permit to operate motor vehicles on public roads only, and only while accompanied by a full CDL-holder permitted to drive the same class of vehicle.

How to Get Your Utah CDL

When the appropriate amount of time has passed and you feel ready to move on in the process, it's time to take your CDL skills tests: the last step between you and your Utah commercial driver's license.

You can either schedule to take the exams at a third-party testing facility, or back at the same local Driver License Division office where your CLP was issued.

Make sure to bring:

  • Your commercial learner's permit.
  • Any necessary medical paperwork.
  • The $78 testing fee.
    • The DLD will allow you 2 attempts, after which additional retests will cost $52 each.
    • Third-party tester fees will vary. Call ahead to the company to ask about specific prices.
  • A vehicle* appropriate to the class of vehicle you'll need for your license.

You'll be asked to complete the following basic tests:

  • Pre-trip inspection.
  • Basic skills test.
  • Road test.

You may have to perform additional tests, depending on the class of CDL you're applying for and whether you're adding any endorsements to your commercial driver license.

After passing, you'll receive a temporary photo license on the same day of your skills tests. Your permanent license should be mailed to you within approximately 6 weeks.

* NOTE: Often, third-party testers will provide a vehicle for you to take the tests in, but most DLD offices will not. Renting a vehicle may cost an additional fee. Either way, you will need to arrange to take the test in the same class of vehicle you plan on driving with your CDL, or else there may be a restriction placed on your license.

How much does a CDL Cost in Utah?

The Utah Driver License Department charges the following fees for UT commercial driver's licenses and related services:

  • Commercial learner's permit application: $52.
  • Skills test*: $78.
  • Endorsement exams: $9.
  • Retesting fees:
    • Written exams: $26 each.
    • Skills tests: $52 each.
    • Endorsement exams: $9.
  • Rescheduling fee: $25.

* You may also take your skills exams with a third-party tester, where fees will vary.

UT CDL Medical Requirements

Before you can drive a commercial vehicle in Utah, you'll need to be deemed physically fit for the job.

The Utah DLD requires all CDL applicants to prove their physical fitness by providing a completed:

For help with how to fill out these forms, see the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's FAQ page on medical requirements.

NOTE: You must have all of your medical paperwork ready before you apply for your commercial learner's permit.

Military CDL Waivers in Utah

If you have some experience driving commercial vehicles or the military equivalent while in the service, the UT Driver License Department may waive your CDL skills tests.

To qualify for the waiver, you will need:

  • To be a current member of the military.
    OR
  • Have been honorably discharged within the past 1 year.
    AND
  • Have driven commercial vehicles in the 2 years before you left the service.

To be eligible, you and your commanding officer will have to fill out the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver (Form CDL-ST WVR).

For more information on how the waiver program works, check out our guide to the military commercial driver's license skills test exemption.

Forms

DLD6a
Application For License
Utah Driver License Division application for a regular, motorcycle, OR commercial permit OR license. Can also be used to apply for a UT identification card.
CDL-ST WVR
Application for Military Skills Test Waiver
Request a CDL skills test waiver if you recently drove a commercial vehicle during your service in the military. Must be signed by your commanding officer.
CDL-42
Commercial Driver License Medical Self Certification
If you're applying for a Utah CDL, use this DLD form to self certify as an intrastate OR interstate excepted OR non-excepted commercial driver.
MCSA-5876
Medical Examiner's Certificate
Certain Utah CDL holders are required to complete and carry this medical examiner's certificate.
DMV.ORG BBB Business Review