Ten Steps to getting an Idaho CDL

The latest version of the CDL handbook is available online from the Idaho Transportation Department.

Idaho CDL Handbook (PDF)

You can download the file to your phone, computer or tablet. Earlier versions of the handbook are fine for study, but be sure to review the first chapter of the latest version to keep up with FMCSA required changes.

Read the applicable pages in Chapter One of the CDL manual to see if you are required to have a medical examiner’s certificate for the driving you intend to do. MOST commercial driving activities require a medical certificate. The Idaho State Police keep a list of commodities and whether they are exempt (no medical card needed for INTRASTATE hauling) or regulated (medical card required for all commercial hauling purposes).

A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination is conducted by a licensed medical provider and may be valid for up to 24 months. The examiner may also issue a medical examiner’s certificate for less than 24 months when it is desirable to monitor a medical condition. The provider must be listed on the “National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners”. Use the National Registry website to find certified medical  providers in your area.

Near the front of the CDL handbook is a chart that will tell you what chapters to study for the Commercial License and related endorsement(s) you desire. Your particular equipment combination will dictate what you need to study and test for. If you have a vehicle with air brakes, you’ll need that test. For a class A CDL, you must take the Combination Vehicles test. The General Knowledge test is required of all new CDL applicants. Details on testing are below.

• Find a local office near you.
• Start the CDL process: Tell the Examiner you are there to begin the process of obtaining a CDL. They will have you complete an application for a CDL, and will help you declare a driving category—a federal rule to determine whether you plan to drive only in Idaho or interstate, and whether you are medical card required (“non-excepted”) or not required (“excepted”).
• Get a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination by a licensed medical provider. The provider will submit the results to the National Registry.
  • If you are for some reason ineligible to obtain a DOT Medical, you CANNOT drive a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce, unless you plan to work for a government agency or other excepted interstate category. Learn more about CDL medical requirements from FMCSA.
• Bring the required documents to obtain a license.
• Take the required knowledge tests: When you are ready, take your written knowledge tests. The written tests are $5.00 each. Some county DMV offices have limitations on times they do testing, or require appointments to test. Call your DMV to see what their testing hours are. You should take and pass the General Knowledge test before attempting to take other tests. While it is permissible to do so, most applicants should not attempt to take multiple tests on the same day. Test results remain valid for one year from the date they were passed. If you don’t obtain your CDL in that year you must re-take all the written tests. If you fail a test, you can re-test in three days (and pay another five dollars).
• Skills test fee: The county DMV agent will collect a skills test fee of $10 from you. You must pass all applicable knowledge tests, before the skills test can be administered. The skills test fee is the county portion of your road test. The CDL Examiner will charge a separate fee for the test payable directly to the Examiner at the time of testing.
• Obtain a commercial learners permit (CLP): You must obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) to obtain or upgrade a commercial license. The permit costs $29 and is valid for one year. It allows you to drive a truck or bus on public streets to practice driving a commercial vehicle. You must have a licensed CDL driver rated to drive the equipment you are practicing in riding with you at all times when on public streets. The licensed driver must be sitting in the right seat (trucks) or in the row behind the driver (busses) with you when you are practicing on public streets. Federal Rules require you hold a CLP for at least 14 days before you can take a skills test.

As of February 7, 2022, CDL Applicants must comply with Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations. These rules require that all entry-level drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) receive training from a provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry. To be eligible to take required skills tests, commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants must have completed applicable entry-level driver training from a registered training provider.

During the 14 day waiting period, practice and prepare for your test. The pre-trip vehicle inspection must be done on any commercial vehicle you test in, regardless of size or type. Most applicants who fail the skills test do so by not preparing well enough for the pre-trip inspection.

Do the following before attempting to take your skills test:

• Study chapter 11 thoroughly: If a component is on your vehicle and in Chapter 11, you need to memorize it for the test. There are plenty of components you are required to memorize, so concentrate on those items. It is imperative that you know how to do the brake test on the vehicle you will be testing in. Doing the brake check improperly will result in failing the test.

Practice the backing maneuvers described in Chapter 12 of the handbook: Refer to the diagrams and measurements shown in Chapter 12, and set up a practice course in a suitable area if possible.

• The Examiner will select either the alley dock or parallel park maneuver on test day, so you should practice both of those maneuvers.
• Use “looks”, pull ups, and reference markers as described in the manual if you need them during the test. Just like in the “real world”, pulling up your vehicle or getting out to check your position during backing is less costly than running into something!
• Excessive pull-ups are deducted from your score, but the deduction for pulling up is less than that of crossing a boundary line or cone and causing an encroachment.

For the road test, review Chapter 13 in the CDL handbook.

• Make sure you know how to conduct a proper “Stop/Start” exercise, as described in the manual.
• Know where to stop at intersections.
• If taking a school bus test, you will need to study the student discharge requirements in Chapter 10.
• Make sure you move your head as you check your mirrors, pass through intersections, etc. so the examiner can see that you are checking for traffic and hazards.
• Maintain frequent checks in your mirrors.
• Keep both hands on the wheel unless you are shifting.
• Know how your vehicle off-tracks. Running over curbs or other objects will result in failing the test.
• Know how to shift the vehicle you are driving. Practice until you can shift smoothly.
• Obey all traffic laws and travel at the speed limit unless weather or traffic requires an adjustment.
• Pay attention to highway signs that a commercial driver should observe. You will be tested on them.

Contact one of the CDL Skills Test Examiners in your area to make an appointment for your test. The test normally takes about two hours. Most Idaho CDL examiners have full time jobs and do tests as a part time service to the state, so you may have to work around their schedule. The Skills Test fee is set by each examiner; the fee is not to exceed $190 per test per Idaho Code. Most examiners take cash only, but some accept other payment methods.

Important notes:

• FMCSA rules require that you hold your Commercial Learner’s Permit for 14 days minimum before testing, even if you have a CDL and are just upgrading your license.
• You MUST contact the examiner well in advance- Examiners are required to notify ITD a minimum of 48 hours before any CDL test.
• Bring the right equipment to the test! Many vehicles will result in a restricted license:
  • “E” RESTRICTION: Testing in a truck or bus with an automatic transmission will result in a restriction being placed on your CDL that you can ONLY drive commercial vehicles with automatic transmissions.
  • “O” RESTRICTION: Testing in a Class A combination that is NOT a TRACTOR-TRAILER with a fifth wheel hitch will result in a restriction being placed on your CDL that you can only drive Class A vehicles.
  • “L” RESTRICTION: Testing in a vehicle that does not have air brakes will result in this restriction
• Have a CDL licensed driver go with you to the test site unless you can legally drive your commercial vehicle there under a farm or other exemption.
• Don’t forget your driver’s license, commercial learner’s permit, registration, and proof of insurance.
• Make sure your vehicle’s lights and equipment are working properly, or you cannot take the test in that vehicle. Our examiners appreciate it if the interior of your truck or bus is reasonably clean on test day.

Once you pass the skills test, the examiner will transmit your test results to ITD for processing.

• You MUST return to the county DMV to have your new Commercial License issued.
• The cost is $40 and it’s good for 4 years or $60 for 8 years.
• Once you have your “base” CDL, you can later add endorsements as needed.
  • Some endorsements (or removal of restrictions) will require additional skills tests.