Check if your jurisdiction is holding an election.
To check your registration status, find your polling place, view a sample ballot, and more, visit Michigan.gov/Vote.
The Michigan Department of State offers the commercial driver's license (CDL) in both a standard and enhanced version. The enhanced CDL is an attractive alternative to the standard CDL because it allows you to re-enter the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean without the need to show additional identity or citizenship documents at the border.
A chauffeur's license is needed if you are:
A commercial driver's license is needed if you are operating a vehicle:
CDL group designations and CDL endorsements will be added to the chauffeur's license.
Drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 can operate a commercial vehicle only in Michigan. You must be at least 21 to operate a commercial vehicle across state lines or to transport hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding.
A CDL is not required for the following:
Farmers will need either an F-endorsement or a CDL under the following conditions:
To apply for a commercial driver’s license, visit a Secretary of State office and provide:
If applying for a hazardous materials endorsement, you must also provide proof of a Federal Security Threat Assessment.
At your visit, you will need to:
You may need one or more of the following endorsements on your CDL depending on the type of vehicle you are operating or the cargo you are transporting:
You will need the appropriate group designation on your CDL to operate the following vehicles:
Group A
Group B
Group C
You must pass all required written knowledge tests before a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) can be issued. The CLP allows you to practice driving under the supervision of an experienced driver/instructor who has a CDL for the type of vehicle you wish to operate.
A CLP is also required for taking the CDL skills tests (range/road testing).
You will be required to take one or more knowledge tests based on the type of CDL you are applying for and cargo you will be transporting. All CDL knowledge tests are administered in written form at a computer testing station. A minimum score of 80 percent is required to pass each test. Anyone applying for the H-Hazardous Materials or S-School Bus endorsement must also pass a written knowledge test. You are only allowed to take one test per day from each testing category. Use the Commercial Driver License Manual as your study guide.
CDL Group A:
CDL Group B and CDL Group C:
Endorsements
T-Double Trailer; P-Passenger; S-School Bus, and N-Tank:
H-Hazardous Materials:
Air brakes:
Commercial Driver License Manual
After obtaining your CLP, you will then need to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) with an approved ELDT provider. Beginning February 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established new minimum training standards for individuals applying for:
These new minimum training standards are referred to as Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). Drivers must complete the required ELDT from a training provider registered with FMCSA before being scheduled for CDL skills or knowledge tests required to obtain one of the licenses or endorsements referred to in the first paragraph.
Once implemented, the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) will retain a record of which CDL applicants have completed the new training and certification process outlined in the ELDT regulations. A CLP may be issued prior to ELDT being completed. First-time hazardous materials endorsement applicants (including those applying for a Class A, B, or C CDL) must complete the hazardous portion of ELDT prior to a written knowledge test being administered at a Secretary of State office.
Upon completing ELDT, a record of completion will be added to the Michigan Department of State records system. To locate an ELDT provider, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.
Locate an ELDT provider (FMCSA)
Upon being issued your CLP, you can begin driving under supervision of a driver who has a CDL for the type of vehicle you wish to drive. After practicing for at least 14 days, you may schedule a CDL on-road driving skills test with an approved driver testing business. Your skills test must be scheduled at least 2 days in advance of when you are eligible to test.
Search for Driver Testing Business Locations
After passing your CDL driving skills test, you will need to return to a Secretary of State office to pay the group endorsement fee ($5/endorsement) and correct your standard license for $9. Your corrected CDL will be mailed to you at the address on your driving record.
Before scheduling your CDL driving skills test, you must pass all applicable ELDT requirements. Refer to the ELDT tab for more information.
A CDL driving skills test is required for the Group A, Group B, and Group C license types, as well as for the P-Passenger and S-School Bus endorsements.
Driving skills tests are provided through public and private Driver Testing Businesses approved by the state to administer the CDL skills tests. The Michigan Department of State does not set driving skills test fees, which may vary between driver testing businesses. Results from your CDL driving skills test are valid for one year from the date the test was given. If you have not applied for your CDL within a year's time, you will need to re-take and pass all required tests before your CDL can be issued.
After passing your driving skills test, you will need to visit at a Secretary of State office to obtain your CDL temporary permit (a fee will be due), which will allow you to operate a commercial vehicle until your new photo CDL arrives in the mail.
Questions not answered by the information on this web page or in the Frequently Asked Questions
may be submitted to the CDL Help Desk for a response.
