OREGON CDL LICENSE

Oregon (CDL) Commercial Driver License

Oregon Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Fees

• Certificate of Test Completion - Commercial Driver License (CDL) $40
• Certificate of Test Completion - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Passenger and/or School Bus Endorsement $40
• Knowledge Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) $10
• Knowledge Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Air Brakes $10
• Knowledge Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Combination Vehicles No Fee
• Knowledge Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Doubles/Triples $10
• Knowledge Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Hazardous Materials $10
• Knowledge Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Passenger $10
• Knowledge Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - School Bus $10
• Knowledge Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Tank Vehicles $10
• Skills Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) $70
• Skills Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Passenger Endorsement Upgrade (for applicants who have already taken a CDL drive test and are only adding a passenger endorsement) No Fee
• Skills Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - Remove Air Brake Restriction $56
• Skills Test - Commercial Driver License (CDL) - School Bus Endorsement Upgrade (for applicants who have already taken a CDL drive test and are only adding a school bus endorsement) No Fee
• Addition of Commercial Driver License (CDL) Endorsement(s) (duplicate fee) $26.50
• Addition of Commercial Driver License (CDL) Restriction(s) (duplicate fee) $26.50
• Downgrade of a Commercial Driver License (CDL) (duplicate fee) $26.50
• Downgrade of a Limited Term Commercial Driver License (CDL) (duplicate fee) $26.50
• Upgrade of a Commercial Driver License (CDL) $75.50
• Upgrade of a Commercial Driver License (CDL) - With a Renewal (applicant already has existing CDL) $137
• Upgrade of a Limited Term Commercial Driver License (CDL) $45
• Upgrade of a Limited Term Commercial Driver License (CDL) - With Renewal of a Limited Term Class C Driver License (non-commercial) $55
• Upgrade of a Limited Term Commercial Driver License (CDL) - With Renewal of a Limited Term CDL $61
• Upgrade to a Commercial Driver License (CDL) - With Renewal of a Class C Driver License (non-commercial) $115.50
• Reinstatement for a Suspension or Revocation $75
• Removal of Commercial Driver License (CDL) Endorsement(s) (duplicate fee) $26.50
• Removal of Commercial Driver License (CDL) Restriction(s) (duplicate fee) $26.50
• Driver License - Commercial (CDL) - Customer Has No Oregon Driver License $135.50

Note: Due to the added costs of merchant fees, Oregon DMV offices only accept cash or checks and do not accept credit or debit cards; however many office locations have ATMs available.

To Qualify/Apply for an Oregon CDL The qualifications needed to obtain and hold a Oregon CDL are dependent on the type of driving you do or intend to do and the type of driving you certify.

If you certify a driving type of intrastate or excepted interstate, you must:

• Meet the qualifications for or have a Regular Driver License (non-commercial Class C). This means you must pass the non-commercial Class C knowledge and drive tests before applying for a Oregon CDL;
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Present proof of your full legal name;
• Present proof of your legal presence in the U.S., identity and date of birth;
• Provide your Social Security Number on the application;
• Present proof of your residence address;
• Pass the Oregon CDL General Knowledge Test (offered in English only);
• Determine the appropriate Oregon CDL Class (Class A, B or C), and pass any additional Oregon CDL Knowledge Tests and/or meet any additional requirements for that specific class;
• Complete the Oregon Commercial Driver License Application (Form 735-175), and indicate that you have at least one year driving experience in at least a non-commercial Class C vehicle;
• Complete requirements for any Oregon CDL endorsements you may need;
• Pass a vision screening as defined in OAR 735-062-0050;
• Submit a copy of a valid medical examiner's certificate and, when required, a medical waiver or exemption that proves you meet minimum Oregon medical standards for holding a Oregon CDL;
• Pass Oregon CDL Skills Tests (conducted in English only);
• Pay the applicable testing and issuance fees (see note on payment of test fees);
• Not be suspended or otherwise disqualified from holding a CDL in Oregon or any other state;
• Certify your intent to operate a vehicle in intrastate commerce or excepted interstate commerce; and
• Have your photograph taken.

If you certify a driving type of non-excepted interstate, you must meet the following qualifications, in addition to those listed above:

• Be at least 21 years of age;
• Submit a copy of a valid medical examiner's certificate and, when required, a medical waiver or exemption that proves you meet minimum federal medical standards for holding a CDL;
• Certify that you meet or will meet all other federal requirements for operation of a CMV in non-excepted interstate commerce; and
• Certify your intent and/or qualification to operate a vehicle in non-excepted interstate commerce.

Oregon DMV strongly recommends that you certify a driving type of non-excepted interstate if you meet federal qualifications and there is any chance you might operate a CMV in non-excepted interstate commerce. Otherwise your Oregon CDL might be needlessly restricted.

After you meet all requirements, you will be issued an interim card to use until you receive your Oregon CDL in the mail.

If you surrendered a previous driver license, permit or identification card, it will be hole-punched and returned to you. The hole-punched card is not valid by itself, but may be used as additional proof of identity with the interim card.

Note: There are specific requirements for each Oregon CDL Class as well as available endorsements.

Training
If you need to practice or train for the Commercial Drive Test you must obtain a Oregon CDL Instruction Permit (see section below). You may take the Commercial Drive Test at a Oregon DMV office without a Oregon CDL Instruction Permit. However, you must have a Oregon CDL Instruction Permit or Oregon CDL in order to take the Commercial Drive Test with a Third Party Oregon CDL Tester.

Oregon CDL Instruction/Learner's Permit

A Oregon CDL Instruction (or Learner's) Permit authorizes the operation of any vehicle, except a motorcycle or a vehicle carrying hazardous materials, when accompanied by a person who:

• Is at least 21 years of age;
• Has a valid commercial driver license for the class of vehicle being driven by the permit holder;
• Has the proper endorsements for the vehicle being operated; and
• Is sitting in the front seat next to the permit holder.

Oregon CDL instruction permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance. If you need more practice driving with your instruction permit, you may renew it prior to the expiration of your current one. Renewing an instruction permit does not extend the validity of the current permit. The renewed permit will be valid for one year after the date of issuance. If your permit has been expired for more than one year you will be required to successfully complete the knowledge and vision test and pay all applicable fees.

Oregon Commercial Skills Tests

These tests must be conducted in English only and translators are not permitted.

Oregon DMV will not conduct a commercial skills test in a vehicle that is:

• Transporting any load;
• Contains hazardous materials;
• Has more than one trailer;
• Pulls a trailer that has no brakes or uses surge brakes; or
• Is clearly illegal or unsafe.

Before taking the drive test you will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You may be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you should inspect and why. Section 11 of the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual tells you what to inspect and how to inspect it. You can also see a video of a pre-trip vehicle inspection test that is similar to the one administered by Oregon CDL examiners. This video is not entirely representative of current Oregon CDL testing standards and procedures. Do not use this video in lieu of studying the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Chapter 11.

You will be asked to perform backing maneuvers to demonstrate your ability to exercise basic control of your vehicle. Section 12 of the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual includes additional information about this portion of the Oregon CDL skills test.

You will also be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railway crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive. Section 13 of the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual explains more about this test.

Waiver of Oregon CDL Skills Testing Requirement for Qualified Military CMV Operators
Effective March 1, 2013, DMV may waive CDL skills testing, excluding the skills tests for passenger and/or school bus endorsements, for CDL applicants that:

• Have a valid Oregon driver license.
• Are currently employed, or have been employed within the previous 12 months, in a military specialty whose primary duty involves operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Currently, only Army primary MOS 88M, Marine primary MOS 3531 and Air Force primary AFSC 2T1X1 have been identified as specialties whose primary duty is operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
• Complete an Oregon Application for Military Skills Test Waiver, or equivalent application from DOD or another state, signed by the applicant and the applicant's commanding officer.
• Provide evidence, in the form of a DD 214, DD 2586, DD 348, or DD 348-E, of training and experience in a military specialty whose primary duty involved operation of a commercial motor vehicle (e.g., Army MOS 88M, Marine MOS 3531 or Air Force Specialty Code 2T1X1).
• Provide evidence, in the form of a military license (OF346 or DA Form 5984-E), that DMV can use to properly classify the type of commercial motor vehicle operated by the applicant. DMV cannot waive skills tests unless the vehicle can be associated with a specific federal CMV classification that can be verified through use of military publications or other information resources.
• Otherwise meet the requirements described in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation 383.77.

Send the Oregon Application for Military Skills Test Waiver (Form 735-7390) along with copies of other required documents to:

Oregon DMV Services
CDL Policy Unit
1905 Lana Ave NE
Salem, OR 97314

Please include a phone number or email address that Oregon DMV can use to contact you if additional information is needed. Oregon DMV will notify you when the application is approved or disapproved and, if approved, provide instructions for completing Oregon CDL issuance requirements.

Oregon CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the Oregon Knowledge Tests that are required for the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained in the FREE Oregon CDL Handbook. Please read and study this manual carefully.

• Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
• Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
• Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air brakes vehicles..
• Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
• School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
• Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.

Classes of Oregon CDL and Required Tests

CDL Class	Tests Required	Possible Endorsements and Required Tests
Class A (Combination vehicle endorsement required)	General Knowledge Written Exam Combination Endorsement Written Exam Road Exam	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam T - Doubles/Triples Written Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam
Class B	General Knowledge Written Exam Road Exam	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam
Class C	General Knowledge Written Exam Road Exam Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one.	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam

Oregon CDL Endorsements

Exam	Time Allowed (Minutes)	# of Questions on Exam	# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass
General Knowledge	60	50	40
Air Brakes	25	25	20
HazMat	30	30	24
Tank	20	20	16
Passenger	20	20	16
Doubles/Triples	20	20	16
Combination Vehicles	20	20	16
School Bus	20	20	16

WHAT IS A CDL?

A "CDL" is a Commercial Drivers License. It meets certain "standards" that are the same for every state. It differs from your Oregon "operator's" or "chauffeur's" licenses. It is required if you drive certain kinds of commercial vehicles either within Oregon or outside of Oregon.