Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) license count, how many states?

51 states require a license for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) practitioners. Same-lane licenses to open next: Chauffeur / Limousine Driver; School Bus Driver; Taxi/Ride-Share Driver.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) education hours, what is typical?

On average, states require approximately 233 hours of education or training, with requirements ranging from 160 to 318 hours. For contrast in the same category, open Chauffeur / Limousine Driver next.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) initial fee range across boards

The average initial licensing fee is $103, ranging from $20 to $198 across states. Fee shape for Taxi/Ride-Share Driver is a useful same-lane check.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) reciprocity / compact reality

License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation. Compact coverage can differ for Chauffeur / Limousine Driver even when the boards look similar.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) exam gate, how common?

51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a commercial truck driver (cdl) license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state, check the state-by-state table above for specifics.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) criminal-history screen, how often?

51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the commercial truck driver (cdl) licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.

Professions / Transportation

Occupational licensing · Transportation · 51 state boards

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) Licensing Requirements by State

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) licensing rules differ by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) compilation and responsible state boards (current as of May 15, 2026), this registry compares education hours, initial and renewal fees, exams, background checks and reciprocity notes across 51 boards. Use the table to compare differences, then verify the current rule with the responsible board before applying.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) across 51 state boards. Nearest coverage peers (51-state band): Chauffeur / Limousine Driver, School Bus Driver, Taxi/Ride-Share Driver.

By PlainCredential ·Compiled from official state licensing boards

States regulated: 51
Avg initial fee: $103
Require an exam: 100%
Avg education hours: 233

View saved licenses

Board Pathway Strip

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL): 51 boards · ~233 avg pre-licensure hrs · exam on 100% · background check on 100% · avg first fee $103. Same-lane boards: Chauffeur / Limousine Driver, School Bus Driver, Taxi/Ride-Share Driver.

Pre-licensure hour neighbourhood for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) vs. every tracked profession

Average confirmed pre-licensure education hours, board-sourced state requirements

233 31st of 47 higher than 16 of 47 professions

professions with confirmed education-hour requirements, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more professions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source PlainCredential NCSL and state-board corpus · 2026

Operates large commercial vehicles. Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) initial fees swing $20 (NH) to $198 (CA), a $178 spread across 51 boards ; Chauffeur / Limousine Driver often lands on a different fee band.

Board thresholds for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) drift board-to-board; the same pattern shows up on Chauffeur / Limousine Driver and School Bus Driver in transportation. Methodology notes live on our methods page.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) states

Top quartile, highest

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) edu hrs

233 hrs

Below median

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) first fee

$103

Bottom quartile, lowest

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) renewal

$57

Bottom quartile, lowest

Board gates for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL): exam on 51/51 (100%), background check on 51/51 (100%) , most boards skip mandated CE hours . Stack that against Chauffeur / Limousine Driver / School Bus Driver before calling this license soft or hard.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL): nationwide coverage neighbours

Coverage band

Hour load

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) · 157 avg hrs
Real Estate Broker · 156 avg hrs
Auctioneer · 135 avg hrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson · 104 avg hrs

Cheapest vs priciest jurisdiction for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)

A $178 fee spread for the same credential

Initial licensing fees in New Hampshire ($ 20) and California ($ 198) bracket the field, a 9.9× spread for identical practice rights.

New Hampshire

$20 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 4 years

California

$198 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 4 years

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) boards vs Chauffeur / Limousine Driver / School Bus Driver - state table

51 states

State	Edu. Hours	Exam	Init. Fee	Renewal	Cycle	Same-board peer
Alabama	210	Yes	$76	$45	4 yrs	Also Nail Technician · Pest Control Applicator
Alaska	184	Yes	$47	$32	4 yrs	Also Mortgage Loan Originator · Paramedic
Arizona	293	Yes	$170	$87	4 yrs	Also Plumber · Real Estate Agent / Salesperson
Arkansas	199	Yes	$64	$39	4 yrs	Also Paramedic · Physician Assistant
California	318	Yes	$198	$99	4 yrs	Also Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist · Secondary School Teacher
Colorado	296	Yes	$173	$88	4 yrs	Also Tattoo Artist · Amusement Ride Operator
Connecticut	268	Yes	$142	$74	4 yrs	Also Veterinary Technician · Athletic Trainer
Delaware	249	Yes	$120	$64	4 yrs	Also Amusement Ride Operator · Barber
District of Columbia	252	Yes	$123	$66	4 yrs	Also Veterinary Technician · Athletic Trainer
Florida	259	Yes	$132	$70	4 yrs	Also Landscape Architect · Medical Assistant
Georgia	234	Yes	$103	$57	4 yrs	Also Massage Therapist · Occupational Therapist
Hawaii	286	Yes	$162	$83	4 yrs	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
Idaho	182	Yes	$44	$31	4 yrs	Also Septic System Installer · Taxi/Ride-Share Driver
Illinois	307	Yes	$185	$94	4 yrs	Also Tow Truck Operator · Armed Security Guard
Indiana	229	Yes	$98	$55	4 yrs	Also Veterinary Technician · Athletic Trainer
Iowa	190	Yes	$54	$35	4 yrs	Also School Librarian / Media Specialist · Surgical Technologist
Kansas	188	Yes	$52	$34	4 yrs	Also HVAC Technician · Licensed Professional Counselor
Kentucky	203	Yes	$69	$42	4 yrs	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
Louisiana	277	Yes	$151	$78	4 yrs	Also Home Inspector · Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Maine	164	Yes	$25	$22	4 yrs	Also Painter (Contractor) · Physical Therapist
Maryland	266	Yes	$139	$73	4 yrs	Also Optometrist · Phlebotomist
Massachusetts	262	Yes	$134	$71	4 yrs	Also Notary Public · Pesticide Applicator (Commercial)
Michigan	236	Yes	$105	$58	4 yrs	Also Pharmacist · Process Server
Minnesota	216	Yes	$83	$48	4 yrs	Also Plumber · Real Estate Agent / Salesperson
Mississippi	208	Yes	$74	$44	4 yrs	Also Psychologist · Roofer
Missouri	214	Yes	$81	$47	4 yrs	Also Private Investigator · Real Estate Broker
Montana	281	Yes	$156	$81	4 yrs	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
Nebraska	186	Yes	$49	$33	4 yrs	Also Real Estate Broker · School Librarian / Media Specialist
Nevada	302	Yes	$180	$91	4 yrs	Also Taxi/Ride-Share Driver · Arborist / Tree Surgeon
New Hampshire	160	Yes	$20	$20	4 yrs	Also Respiratory Therapist · Septic System Installer
New Jersey	264	Yes	$137	$72	4 yrs	Also School Bus Driver · Speech-Language Pathologist
New Mexico	283	Yes	$159	$82	4 yrs	Also Secondary School Teacher · Tattoo Artist
New York	254	Yes	$126	$67	4 yrs	Also Veterinary Technician · Athletic Trainer
North Carolina	231	Yes	$100	$56	4 yrs	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
North Dakota	177	Yes	$39	$29	4 yrs	Also Real Estate Agent / Salesperson · School Counselor
Ohio	242	Yes	$112	$61	4 yrs	Also Veterinary Technician · Athletic Trainer
Oklahoma	192	Yes	$56	$36	4 yrs	Also Animal Breeder · Bartender / Alcohol Server
Oregon	310	Yes	$189	$95	4 yrs	Also Bartender / Alcohol Server · Cosmetologist
Pennsylvania	251	Yes	$122	$65	4 yrs	Also Bartender / Alcohol Server · Cosmetologist
Rhode Island	279	Yes	$154	$79	4 yrs	Also Mobile Home Installer · Painter (Contractor)
South Carolina	195	Yes	$59	$37	4 yrs	Also Pharmacist · Process Server
South Dakota	173	Yes	$35	$26	4 yrs	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Tennessee	221	Yes	$88	$50	4 yrs	Also Tattoo Artist · Amusement Ride Operator
Texas	244	Yes	$115	$62	4 yrs	Also Armed Security Guard · Casino/Gaming Dealer
Utah	205	Yes	$71	$43	4 yrs	Also Court Reporter / Stenographer · Elementary School Teacher
Vermont	166	Yes	$27	$23	4 yrs	Also Hair Braider · Land Surveyor
Virginia	225	Yes	$93	$52	4 yrs	Also Childcare Center Director · Electrician
Washington	290	Yes	$166	$85	4 yrs	Also General Contractor · Insurance Agent
West Virginia	205	Yes	$71	$43	4 yrs	Also Nail Technician · Pest Control Applicator
Wisconsin	212	Yes	$78	$46	4 yrs	Also Interior Designer · Marriage and Family Therapist
Wyoming	169	Yes	$30	$24	4 yrs	Also Optician (Dispensing) · Pharmacy Technician

What to do with this

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) is regulated in 51 states -- here's how to use that before you act.

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) ranks #31 of 47 professions by average pre-licensure education hours -- see how it compares to similar roles. Browse all professions
#16 of 97 professions by number of states requiring a license -- see which states are strictest overall. State burden rankings
Initial fees for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) range from $20 (NH) to $198 (CA) -- check whether your license transfers before assuming you'd need to pay again. Reciprocity guide

Requirements are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research and verified against state board sites where possible; always confirm current rules with the licensing board before relying on any single row.

Data sources

Every figure on PlainCredential is rendered directly from NCSL and state occupational- licensing board data, no number is typed in by an editor. Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) requirements from NCSL and state board schedules: 51 rows, no hand-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.