Commercial Driver Instructional (Learner) Permit
Commercial Driver License
Commercial Driver Training

Commercial Driver Instructional (Learner) Permit

You must have a valid CDL or commercial driver instructional (learner) permit to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

A Vermont commercial driver instructional (learner) permit allows a person to receive commercial driving instruction and behind-the-wheel driving experience on public highways. While driving on the road, the holder of a commercial driver learner's permit must be accompanied by a person who holds a valid CDL issued for the class of vehicle driven, including any endorsements.

Please note: An applicant holding a Commercial Driver Instructional (learner) Permit is prohibited from transporting Hazardous Materials regardless of the endorsements held by the accompanying Commercially licensed driver.

A commercial driver instructional (learner) permit will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue. A second six month permit may be obtained at any time within the ensuing 18 month period, but only one renewal is allowed. A person must hold a valid Vermont Class 1, A, B or C license and pass the knowledge tests for the class of license for which he or she is applying to qualify for a commercial driver instructional (learner) permit. Knowledge tests may be required to operate certain types of vehicles which require a separate endorsement on the commercial driver license.

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CDL Appointment For Instructional Permit

You must make an appointment to take the CDL knowledge test. "Walk in" applicants will not be permitted to take the CDL test. You can schedule an appointment for the knowledge test by calling (802) 828-2085 Monday - Friday, 7:45 A.M. - 4:00 P.M., except for holidays.

When you call for an appointment, you will be scheduled for the CDL knowledge tests at a Customer Services Office. Once you pass the knowledge test, you are qualified to take the skill test.

You can pick up a CDL application and commercial driver manual at a DMV Customer Services Office near you. You should bring the completed forms with you when you go for your scheduled appointment.

Examination Cancellation

If you must cancel a written test, please call (802) 828-2085 at the soonest possible date.

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Commercial Driver License

CDL Skill Test Appointment

You must make an appointment to take the CDL skills test. "Walk in" applicants will not be permitted to take the CDL tests. You can schedule an appointment for the skill test by calling (802) 828-2085 Monday - Friday, 7:45 A.M. - 4:00 P.M., except for holidays.

A scheduling deposit fee must be submitted to the Department before you may make an appointment for the skill test. Once the deposit is received by the Department, you may call 828-2085 to make an appointment for the skill test. It is important that, whenever possible, you call for an appointment personally. The operator will have questions regarding vehicle class, endorsements and test history - information which someone else calling for you may not have available. If you appear for the skill test as scheduled and pass, the deposit fee will be applied to license fees. If you do not appear for the skill test at the scheduled time, you will forfeit the deposit unless you give the department 48 hours notice of cancellation. If you fail the skill test, a subsequent test will be scheduled without an additional deposit. However the subsequent test fee is still payable at the time of actual testing.

You can pick up a CDL application and commercial driver manual at a DMV Customer Services Office near you. You should bring the completed forms with you when you go for your scheduled appointment.

When you come to your scheduled appointment, you must bring the following items with you:

• All driver licenses in your possession issued to you by any state.
• Social security number.
• Proof of liability insurance for the vehicle you will use for your skills test. If you fail to show proof of insurance on your vehicle you will not be allowed to take any of the skills test.
• A valid registration certificate for the vehicle you are using for the skills test.
• The vehicle used for the skills test must have a valid inspection sticker and currently meet all the inspection requirements.
• Valid medical card.
• Medical forms

For a school bus exam, the Universal Medical Evaluation ( 289.52KB) or DOT Approved Physical Examination form ( 35.4KB) is required. The date of the medical examination must be within the last 2 years (prior to endorsement testing).

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Examination Cancellation

If your skill test is canceled by DMV you will not lose your deposit fee.

If you must cancel a skill test, please call (802) 828-2085 at least 48 hours prior to your appointment. If no notice of cancellation is given, a new scheduling deposit fee must be submitted to reschedule an appointment.

Skill Tests & Test Vehicles

You must provide a vehicle which represents the license class for which you have applied, for the pre-trip inspection and road test. The vehicle must have clean, operable safety belts - school buses are exempt. The cargo portions of all vehicles, especially tank vehicles, must be empty at the time of your road test. The vehicle must pass inspection, at the time of the test, to be used for the skills test.

If you wish to be licensed to drive a commercial vehicle equipped with air brakes, you must pass the air brake knowledge test and provide a commercial vehicle with air brakes for your skill test. If you take a skill test in a vehicle without air brakes, you will receive an air brake restriction on your license. This means you can only operate commercial vehicles, for the class license you have, that do not have air brakes.

If you take the skills test in a commercial vehicle equipped with air-over-hydraulic brakes, you will be issued a CDL with an air-over-hydraulic brake restriction. You will be issued a special restriction card restricting you from operating vehicles equipped with a standard air brake system, but not from operating an air-over-hydraulic brake system.

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Pre-Trip Inspection Test

A pre-trip inspection will be required before the skills test. If your vehicle fails the pre-trip inspection for safety reasons, it will be considered a test failure and you must make an appointment to retake the pre-trip inspection test. A subsequent exam fee will be assessed for your next test. It will not be necessary to provide a new test scheduling fee. If you fail the skills test three (3) times, you must wait six (6) months before you can retake it.

Vision Test

The Motor Vehicle Examiner may give you an eye test before you take the commercial driver license knowledge tests. This test will measure how well you see. If you wear glasses or contact lenses to pass the vision tests, then you will be required to wear them when you drive. A corrective lenses restriction will be placed on your CDL. If you fail the eye test, you will be given an eye referral form which must be completed by an eye doctor and returned to the department within 30 days. Your vision must be corrected before you will be issued a CDL. If you have monocular vision, call CDL information in Montpelier (828-2085) for further information.

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Commercial Driver Training

Commercial vehicle training, which provides instruction in the operation of commercial vehicles. These training programs provide the following services:

• CDL A - A state-approved driver training program for entry-level tractor-trailer drivers. This 148-hour (minimum) course, which is consistent with national training guidelines, provides a combination of classroom, range and on-the-road instruction.
• CDL B - A state-approved driver training program for straight truck drivers. This 74-hour (minimum) course provides a combination of classroom, range and on-the-road instruction.
• Upgrade - Drivers holding Class B CDL licenses can receive training to upgrade to a Class A license by successfully completing a 74-hour (minimum) course which provides classroom, range, and on-the-road instruction.

Each of these courses help prepare prospective truck drivers for taking CDL written and skills tests. Vehicles are provided for students to take the CDL skills test. All tests are given at DMV test sites.

Employment - Check with individual schools to find out what types of job-placement services might be available.

Driver Training Schools (Commercial)