To obtain a commercial driver license (CDL) in the state of Utah, you must receive training so that you can pass both a written test and a road test, as required by the Driver License Division of the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS).

In Utah, CDL training is provided by private companies (third parties) certified by the Driver License Division to educate commercial drivers. You should contact your local training company for pricing, scheduling, and course information and requirements.

After you have completed your training, these same companies can provide testing as well. Alternatively, you can take your tests at a number driver license field offices (call first to make sure the field office you want to visit performs testing for commercial licenses).

Top Federal Regulations

Federal requirements do not mandate a specific number of classroom or behind-the-wheel hours of training that you have to undertake to receive a CDL, and neither does the state of Utah. Rather, federal requirements are that you can pass tests demonstrating that you have comprehensive knowledge in the following areas:

• Safe operations regulations

• Commercial motor vehicle safety control systems

• Safe vehicle control:

• Control systems

• Basic control

• Shifting

• Backing

• Visual search

• Communication

• Speed management

• Space management

• Night operation

• Extreme driving conditions

• Hazard perceptions

• Emergency maneuvers

• Skid control and recovery

• Relationship of cargo to vehicle control

• Vehicle inspections

• Hazardous materials knowledge

• Air brake knowledge

• Combination vehicles:

• Coupling and uncoupling

• Vehicle inspection

Top State Regulations

In addition to the above federally required topics, you can find detailed information about what the Utah Driver License Division expects you to know in order to pass the written and road tests in the Utah Commercial Driver License Handbook. Again, although the state doesn't require a certain number of hours of training, it takes about eight to 12 hours of intensive study of this manual to pass the tests.

You can get your Utah CDL education in either a classroom or a home-study setting―whichever fits your schedule, budget, and learning style. Some training companies have trucks you can use to practice your driving skills and take your on-road driving test.

For more CDL information, see Applying For a New CDL,
Renewing Your CDL, Replacing a Lost CDL, and Commercial Driver FAQs on this site.

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