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

Tennessee Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Operates large commercial vehicles. Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

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

To practice as a commercial truck driver (cdl) in Tennessee, the state licensing board requires 221 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 Tennessee's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "CDL Training Program".

Budget $88 to get started, plus $50 at each renewal on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Tennessee, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

On reciprocity, commercial truck driver (cdl)s should know: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states.

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
79/100
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · Tennessee

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-
221 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C+
$88
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$13/yr
$50 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 Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
CDL Training Program
221 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test
Required
Initial License Fee
$88
Renewal Fee
$50
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 Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Tennessee? ▼
Tennessee's requirements cover 221 hours of education or training, the CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test exam, and an initial fee of $88. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Tennessee? ▼
To become a licensed commercial truck driver (cdl) in Tennessee, you must meet the state's requirements including 221 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for commercial truck driver (cdl)s: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Tennessee licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the commercial truck driver (cdl) licensing process in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a commercial truck driver (cdl)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee 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.