IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS (32.97KB)

Commercial Driver License Renewal:

A Vermont commercial driver license is issued to expire on the fourth birthday anniversary from the date of issue. Optionally, a person may request a commercial driver license to expire on the second birthday anniversary from the date of issue.

About one month before your CDL expires you should receive a renewal notice in the mail, if we have your most current mailing address. Answer all the questions on the notice, sign it, and bring it to the Customer Services Office closest to you for processing along with the renewal fee. A CDL can be renewed by mail, provided it does not include a School Bus or HazMat endorsement and the photo was taken within the last 8 years.

Hazardous Materials Endorsement Renewal:

At license renewal time, those commercial vehicle drivers who wish to keep their hazardous materials endorsement must take and pass the hazardous materials endorsement knowledge test. This ensures that drivers who transport hazardous materials or hazardous waste are knowledgeable about regulations concerning the handling of hazardous materials.

This test must be passed before you renew your commercial driver license. If you do not take the hazardous materials endorsement test, or you do not pass the test, your CDL can be renewed without the hazardous materials endorsement. The endorsement can be added to the CDL after the test has been passed. However, you cannot transport placarded hazardous materials without this endorsement.

NOTE: To assure sufficient time to schedule this test, appointment scheduling should be made well in advance.

The U.S.A. Patriot Act mandates that a background check be conducted prior to issuance of a CDL Hazmat endorsement (this includes renewals).

Additional hazmat endorsement information

School Bus Endorsement/Renewal:

Please refer to the School Bus Manual ( 804.64KB)for complete instructions regarding retaining a school bus endorsement. You must have passed a passenger endorsement test and a skill test to obtain a Type I School Bus endorsement.  A CDL with a school bus endorsement can not be renewed by mail.

CDL Upgrade:

If you want to upgrade your commercial driver license to a higher class, you must complete a new commercial driver license application. If you wish to drive combination vehicles or add endorsements, you must take and pass the appropriate knowledge tests. A skill test (pre-trip inspection and on-road driving test) will be required in a vehicle representative of the class of vehicle you wish to drive. You may be subject to a subsequent test fee for this examination.

CDL Transfer:

In accordance with State and Federal law, any person holding a commercial driver license from another state must transfer their out-of-state commercial driver license within 30 days after establishing residency in Vermont.