Driving a semi-truck or other type of commercial vehicle is a good way for many people to make a living, but if you’re interested in doing so, you’ll need to get acommercial driver’s license(CDL).
Since commercial vehicles are frequently larger and more difficult to drive than average cars and trucks, CDL holders must pass additional rounds of testing to earn their license and follow all regulations set by theFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(FMCSA). Commercial drivers in Alabama will also have to go through the AlabamaAlabama Law Enforcement Agency(ALEA) for state-specific requirements.
Who Can Get an Alabama CDL?
To qualify for a commercial driver’s license in Alabama, you must:
- Already have avalid, non-CDLdriver’s license.
- Haveproof oflegal presencein the United States, if you’renot a citizen. Paperwork must show you:
- Have legal permanent status.
AND - Are domiciled in Alabama.
- Have legal permanent status.
If you plan to driveinterstateroutes (i.e. you intend to cross state lines), you must beat least 21 years old.
If you have a CDL from another state and wish totransfer it to Alabama, you will have to showadditional identificationwhen applying for your commercial driver license. See the section on CDL transfer documents for more details.
Alabama Commercial Learner’s Permits
Before you get your CDL, you’ll have to get your Alabamacommercial learner’s permit(CLP).
To do so, you’ll have toschedule an appointmentthrough the ALEA at adriver license officethathandles commercial driver’s licenses. It’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure they offer CDL services.
You’ll have to pass all written exams for the classification of CDL you want. Also,if you are applying for ahazardous materials (H) endorsem*nt, you will need to take your federally mandatedCDL training courseBEFOREyou apply for your CLP.
You’ll have to bring to your appointment:
- Yourcurrent driver’s license.
- Proof of yourSocial Security number(SSN). Proof can include:
- Your Social Security card.
- U.S. military discharge/separation papers.
- Medicare/Medicaid cards.
- Tax forms.
- The proper medical forms.
- Your CDL training course proof of completion, if applying for a HAZMAT endorsem*nt.
- Proof oflegal presence in the U.S., if you arenot a citizen.
- The$25 testing fee(no checks).
- The$36.25 feeto purchase your AL CLP.
You will also have to submit to adriving record check, which will cover your record for thepast 10 yearsinall 50 statesand the District of Columbia.
Documents for CDL Transfers
If you’re transferring your out-of-state commercial driver’s license to Alabama, you will be required to bring in the above documentation, as well as1 primary documentfor identification purposes.
Youmay not usethe same document to count as both your proof of SSN and primary document.
The ALEA will accept the following as primary documents:
- Certified U.S. birth certificates.
- A U.S. passport.
- An Alabama identification card.
- An AL driver’s license.
- See the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’sfull list of primary documentsfor more examples.
If you plan ontransferring your hazardous materials endorsem*ntorapplying for a new one, you will also need to bring aTransportation Security Administration background check.
Alabama CLP Restrictions
After successfully passing the proper exams, you will receive your Alabama commercial learner’s permit from the ALEA.
Per state and federal regulations, your CLP willonlyallow you to drive onpublic roadswith afull CDL holderin the vehicle with you.
You will be required to hold your CLP for a specific period of time before you’re able to take your road test for your full Alabama CDL.IMPORTANT NOTE: Whilefederallaws mandate a holding period of at least 14 days,this could be different for you. Check with your local driver license office to confirm what the holding period is in your state.
Getting an Alabama CDL
Once the required amount of time has passed and you feel comfortable enough driving with your CLP, you will have to complete your federally requiredCDL entry-level driver training program (ELDT). This is required for all CDL holders whoare:
- Applying for a new Class A or B commercial driver’s license.
- Upgrading an existing Class B CDL to a Class A license.
- Applying for a first-time passenger (P), school bus (S), or HAZMAT (H) endorsem*nt.
Your course will consist of both classroom and practical hands-on training, and your specifictraining provider will dictate how long your course will be.You can find a federally approved EDLT provider through the FMCSA’sentry-level training website.
Once you’ve completed your ELDT course,make a second appointmentwith your localAL driver license officeto schedule aCDLskills/road test.
You’ll need to take this portion of the test in thesame type of vehicleyou plan on driving with your CDL. If you do not, you may receive a restriction on your AL commercial driver’s license.
Bring with you to the appointment:
- Your CLP.
- Your ELDT completion certificate, if applicable (some course providers may electronically report your completion to the DMV).
- Proof of insurance.
- The$20 skills test fee.
- The appropriate fee to purchase the class of CDL you want.
Alabama CDLs for Military Members
The FMCSA offers a nationwide program to waive the CDL skills test for veterans or military members about to leave the service.
Though the ALEA doesn’t specifically mention these military skills test waivers in its current regulations, Alabama veteransmay still be eligible. Contact yourlocal driver license officeto inquire as to whether this waiver is applicable in your state.
For more details on the waiver program, visit ourguide to the veterans CDL skills test waiver.
CDL Medical Exams in AL
To have permission to operate a commercial vehicle, you will have to be consideredmedically qualified.
Before scheduling your commercial learner’s permit appointment, you will have to visit your doctor and have him or her fill out theMedical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination(Form 649-F).
You will also have to declare your physical fitness to Alabama, through a process calledself-certification. To do so, you will need to complete theSelf-Certification Affidavit, and either:
- Fax itto the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency at(334) 353-1980.
- Submit it directly to the ALEAonline.
- Mail itto the ALEA at:
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
- Driver License Department
- CDL Unit P.O. Box 1471
- Montgomery, AL 36102
After you’re medically approved, you will receive aMedical Examiner’s Card, which you must keep on you at all times while operating a commercial vehicle.
Commercial Driver License Classifications
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has established several types of commercial driver licenses, each of which allowing you to operate a different kind of vehicle. They include:
- Class A CDLs—Formultiple vehiclesthat weigh over a certain amount, such as a tractor-trailer.
- Class B CDLs—Used to operate asingle vehiclethat weighs over a certain amount, like a straight truck.
- Class C CDLs—Covering all types of vehiclesnot includedin Class A or Class B CDLs.
You will likely have to take slightly different tests depending on which classification of CDL you’re applying for.
See our guide toCDL classificationsfor more information.
CDL Endorsem*nts & Restrictions
An endorsem*nt is anadditional certificationyou can add to your commercial driver’s license that will allow you to drive alarger number of vehicles. You can apply for endorsem*nts for driving:
- HAZMAT vehicles.*
- School buses/other large passenger vehicles.
- Double or triple trailers.
- Tanks.
*NOTE:If you apply for a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsem*nt in Alabama, you must bring abackground checkconducted by the Transport Security Administrationwhen you apply for your CLP.
Arestrictioncan be placed on your license tolimitthe number or types of vehicles you can drive. For example, you may receive a restriction if you cannot drive a manual car, fail the eye exam, or for a number of other reasons.
Check out our guidefor more information on how endorsem*nts and restrictions work.
CDL Fees in Alabama
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency currently charges the following for CDLs and other related services:
- Commercial learner’s permit testing fee: $25.
- Issuing a commercial learner’s permit: $36.25.
- Commercial driver’s license skills test: $20.
- Class A CDL: $66.25.
- Class B CDL: $56.25.
- Class C CDL: $36.25.
If you’re transferring your out-of-state CDL to Alabama, you may also have to pay a$5 transfer feethat applies to other license classes.
Replacing a CDL
If your Alabama commercial driver’s license was lost or stolen, you’ll need to apply for a replacement with the ALEA andCANNOToperateyour commercial vehicle until you receive a replacement license. For your protection, considerreporting your lost CDLto your local law enforcement agency.
Alabama’sCDL Headquarters—or any of theCDL district offices—can provide details about applying for a replacement CDL based on your specific situation.
Contact the CDL Headquarters directly at(334) 242-4400or get in touch with your localCDL district officefor instructions on applying for a duplicate AL CDL.
Replacement While Out-of-State
Ifyou’retemporarilyout of statefor military, school, or employmentreasons, youmaybe able to apply for a duplicate CDLby mail. Call anAlabama CDL district office or CDL Headquartersto confirm you’re eligible to apply for a replacement by mail.
When you have approval, gather the following:
- A completedApplication for a Renewal or Duplicate License for Alabama Drivers Temporarily Out of State(Form DL-100).
- Apictureandsignatureproduced within the previous4 years.
- Proof for thereason you’reout-of-state.
- Acceptable proof is listed on the application.
- Any requiredCDL-specific medical documents.
- Contact Alabama’s CDL Headquarters at(334) 242-4400 for details.
- Money order or Certified Bank Draftmade payable to “ALEA Licensing Services Division”for the$32.50replacement CDL fee.
- Personal checks areNOTacceptable.
Mail everything to:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License Department
P.O. Box 1471
Montgomery, AL 36102
