Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) / Florida
2026 data Florida board official source

Florida Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Operates large commercial vehicles. Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

What the Florida data shows for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)s

To practice as a commercial truck driver (cdl) in Florida, the state licensing board requires 259 documented education or training hours, a passing score on CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. The regulation sits under Florida's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "CDL Training Program".

Budget $132 to get started, plus $70 at each renewal on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Florida, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states.

Licensing Ease Score

B
Licensing Ease Score
73/100
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · Florida

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
259 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$132
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$18/yr
$70 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Florida

Education / Training Hours
CDL Training Program
259 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test
Required
Initial License Fee
$132
Renewal Fee
$70
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
21 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) All Florida licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Florida licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Florida? ▼
In Florida, the license path calls for 259 education/training hours, a passing score on CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test, and a $132 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Florida? ▼
To become a licensed commercial truck driver (cdl) in Florida, you must meet the state's requirements including 259 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Florida licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) license to Florida from another state? ▼
For commercial truck driver (cdl)s, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Florida licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Florida require a background check for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the commercial truck driver (cdl) licensing process in Florida. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.

Related Guides

What to do with this commercial truck driver (cdl) license

Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Florida, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a commercial truck driver (cdl)-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Florida's commercial truck driver (cdl) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state commercial truck driver (cdl) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Florida's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Florida overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Florida licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.