To apply for an original commercial driver's license (CDL), you will need to show your valid Michigan driver's license and proof of U.S. citizenship (or legal presence) and Social Security number. Acceptable proof is your Social Security card, W-2 income tax form, an employee paycheck stub showing either your name and Social Security number, or a military identification card.
Note: Per 49 Code of Federal Regulations 383.23, the Secretary of State cannot issue a non-domiciled Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to a Mexican or Canadian citizen. A citizen of either of these countries must obtain their CDL from their country of citizenship or obtain U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency status.
For a CDL Group A driver's license, a general knowledge written test and a combination vehicle written test are required. For a commercial driver's license (CDL) Group B or C driver's license, only the general knowledge written test is required. A written test is required for each commercial driver's license (CDL) endorsement (H-Hazardous Material, N-Tank, P-Passenger, S-School Bus, and T-Double Trailers). If the vehicle you will be driving is equipped with air brakes, an air brake knowledge written test is required. If you are applying for a hazardous materials endorsement, you must present proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and a Federal Security Threat Assessment.
A driving skills test consisting of a Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection Test, a Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test and an On-the-road Driving Skills Test must be successfully completed through a driver testing business.
For more complete information about obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), you may download a Commercial Driver License Manual.
1. Make an appointment at any Secretary of State office.
2. Show required documents. Bring the following documents to your appointment:
Note: If you’re required to have a state or federal waiver or skills performance evaluation (SPE) certificate you must submit the waiver or skills performance evaluation along with your Medical Examiners Certificate (MEC).
3. Complete self-certification.
4. Take required written tests (if any).
If you currently have a hazardous materials endorsement, federal rules require you to take the hazardous materials written test every time you renew the endorsement.
You must present a Federal Security Threat Assessment letter from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence to renew a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement.
A vision test must be passed. No other CDL written tests are required unless you want to upgrade the group designator, remove an air brake restriction, or add a new endorsement when renewing your license.
You should apply for a federal background records check with the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Universal Enrollment Services at universalenroll.dhs.gov/ approximately 45-60 days before you renew your license.
If you receive the TSA letter of approval by the time you wish to renew, bring the letter with you when you visit a Secretary of State office to renew. You should receive your photo license with the hazardous materials endorsement within two weeks of your renewal application.
If your photo license has not expired and you wish to renew before receiving TSA's letter, you may renew your license and will receive a 90-day temporary operator permit (TOP) with a hazardous material endorsement. Your photo license will not be produced until the Secretary of State receives TSA's response. If the Secretary of State does not receive a TSA response and you do not receive a TSA letter prior to the expiration of the 90-day TOP, you must return to a Secretary of State office and re-apply for a driver license without the hazardous material endorsement.
§ If the Secretary of State receives a TSA response of "approved" prior to the expiration of the 90-day TOP, you will receive your photo license with the hazardous materials endorsement within two weeks of the Secretary of State receiving the TSA response; or
§ If the Secretary of State receives a TSA response of "denied" prior to the expiration of the 90-day TOP, you will receive your photo license without the hazardous material endorsement, within two weeks of the Secretary of State receiving the TSA response.
If your photo license is expired when you renew, you will receive a 60-day TOP without a hazardous material endorsement. You will be allowed drive other vehicles and will receive a photo license without the hazardous materials endorsement. When you receive a TSA response of "approved" you must return to a Secretary of State office and pay a fee to add the hazardous materials endorsement.
You cannot apply for a hazardous materials endorsement and request a federal background record check if:
Universal Enrollment Services (UES) is responsible for coordinating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved fingerprint office locations in Michigan. Please visit UES at universalenroll.dhs.gov/ or you may call the UES call center at their toll-free number 855-347-8371 to help you preregister for a background record check, inquire about enrollment statuses, or answer any questions. UES' call center hours of operation are from 8:00am to 10pm Eastern, Monday through Friday.
You should complete a federal background record check application 45-60 days before you need your hazardous materials endorsement. However, you will first be required to complete ALL of the following before the TSA fingerprint collection offices listed at universalenroll.dhs.gov/ can collect your fingerprints:
* Walk-in renewals are also accepted. The customer service agent will confirm that the membership is eligible for renewal, upload identity verification documents, make any necessary updates to the individual’s biographic information, and process payment.
TSA estimates that most background record checks will take 30 days or less, however in some instances the process can take up to 60 days and in rare instances longer. An example of a rare instance is to have to take your fingerprints a second time; there is no fee for the second fingerprinting and you will be contacted by TSA if a reprint is needed. If you have not received the results of the background record check (BRC) by U.S. mail after 30 days please visit the Universal Enrollment Services website at: universalenroll.dhs.gov/ or call the UES call center's toll-free number 855-347-8371 to inquire about the status of your BRC results. The UES' call center hours of operation are from 8:00am to 10pm Eastern, Monday through Friday.
When contacting UES, you will be required to provide identifying information such as your name, social security number, or commercial driver license number to initiate a status inquiry. Status information will not be given to others affiliated with you, such as associates, family members, spouses, or employers. Additionally, no specific information that indicates whether or not you may pose a security threat will be provided over the phone.
The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) fee for a background record check is $86.50.
If you do not pay the required fingerprint fee when you pre-register you will be required to pay the fee at the *in-person enrollment before you can be fingerprinted. You may pay with a credit card or money order, company check, or certified/cashier's check payable to Morpho Trust USA. Enrollment centers accept Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express, and Discover credit cards. Cash and personal checks are NOT accepted. These fees were established by the TSA.
The state of Michigan does not collect or receive any fees related to the background checks. The $86.50 is for the federal background check only and does not cover any other driver licensing fees.
In-person enrollment is completed at the fingerprint location where you will provide Transportation Security Administration (TSA) acceptable enrollment documents found at: tsa.gov/for-industry/hazmat-endorsement and provide your fingerprints. Preregistering significantly reduces the amount of time you will spend at the fingerprint office.
Preregistering means that you applied to have a federal background records check completed ahead of being fingerprinted. You may preregister at: universalenroll.dhs.gov/ or you may call the Universal Enrollment Services (UES) call center at their toll-free number 855-347-8371. If you do not preregister before visiting a UES fingerprint location, you will be asked to preregister before any further action is taken. Written applications are not completed at the fingerprint location and will not be accepted at the fingerprint location.
If you pre-registered but did not pay the required fingerprint fee of $86.50 you will be required to pay the fee at the *in-person enrollment before you are fingerprinted. You may pay with a credit card or money order, company check, or certified/cashier's check payable to MorphoTrust USA. Enrollment centers accept Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express, and Discover credit cards. Cash and personal checks are NOT accepted.
* In-person enrollment is completed at the fingerprint location where you will provide Transportation Security Administration (TSA) acceptable enrollment documents found at: universalenroll.dhs.gov/workflows?servicecode=111168&service=required-docs
and provide your fingerprints. Preregistering significantly reduces the amount of time you will spend at the fingerprint office.
TSA will notify you of its decision by letter. TSA will also notify the Secretary of State, however, you may receive your letter before the Secretary of State receives and updates the TSA results to your driving record. To avoid unnecessary delays be sure to bring the TSA letter when you visit a Secretary of State office to apply for your driver license.
You may have your fingerprints collected at any TSA approved fingerprint office location in any TSA agent state. Please search for the locations nearest you at universalenroll.dhs.gov/locator.
You should preregister with TSA before visiting the TSA approved fingerprint office.
If you pre-registered but did not pay the required fingerprint fee of $86.50 you will be required to pay the fee at the in-person enrollment* before you are fingerprinted. You may pay with a credit card or money order, company check, or certified/cashier's check payable to MorphoTrust USA. Enrollment centers accept Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express, and Discover credit cards. Cash and personal checks are NOT accepted.
*In-person enrollment is completed at the fingerprint location where you will provide Transportation Security Administration (TSA) acceptable enrollment documents found at universalenroll.dhs.gov/workflows?servicecode=111168&service=required-docs and provide your fingerprints. Preregistering significantly reduces the amount of time you will spend at the fingerprint office.
Michigan's TSA Fingerprint Offices Are Closed On Federal Holidays.
Please check for additional business day closures around the holidays at: universalenroll.dhs.gov/locator.
Inclement weather conditions in MI may cause a TSA fingerprint office location to close, please call the
UES call center's** toll-free number 855-DHS-UES1 (855-347-8371) or check the Universal Enrollment Services (UES) site at universalenroll.dhs.gov/locator for office closure announcements.
TSA Results: If you have not received a letter from TSA two weeks after you have been fingerprinted, please call the UES call center's** toll-free number 855-DHS-UES1 (855-347-8371) to inquire about the status of your background record check results.
**The UES call center hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern), Monday through Friday.
Yes, the fingerprint office will ask you to present documents from TSA's acceptable enrollment document lists found at universalenroll.dhs.gov/workflows?servicecode=111168&service=required-docs.
The Federal USA PATRIOT Act established in 2005 requires fingerprints be taken and a federal background records check be completed before issuance of a new or renewed hazardous materials endorsement. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approval for a hazardous materials endorsement is valid for 5 years from the date TSA issued their approval. The TSA's length of approval must meet or exceed the expiration date of a 4-year MI driver's license. If it does not, TSA and the Secretary of State will require a new BRC be completed and pay the required background record check fees.
Requiring new fingerprints provides an additional measure of security. For example, if someone stole your identity, getting fingerprints would prevent that person from renewing a hazardous materials endorsement. If fingerprints were not taken with each renewal, that person could renew the endorsement using your good record.
In addition, the FBI and the other agencies involved do not normally store the fingerprints that are sent to them for routine background records checks. The FBI will keep fingerprints of people who have been arrested or work in certain high-security or highly sensitive areas. You must be fingerprinted with every renewal of your hazardous materials endorsement because every renewal requires a new background records check, and the new check is starting from scratch.
TSA approvals allowing drivers to apply for a hazardous material endorsement, expires five years from the date the approval was issued. The length of the TSA approval must match or exceed the new expiration date of the driver license being issued. If the TSA approval period is less than the expiration date of the license being issued, you must apply for a new federal background record check to maintain the hazardous materials endorsement on your driver's license.
Drivers are also reminded that fingerprint and background checks take 30-60 days to complete. Drivers wishing to renew their hazardous materials endorsement should begin the application process at least 60 days before their license expires to allow enough time to meet all requirements.
Drivers who move to Michigan must immediately apply for a Michigan license, which is valid for up to four years and expires on the driver's birthday. You must be at least 21 years old to obtain the required endorsement to drive vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
Learn more about the requirements for a Michigan driver's license.
If you do not have a hazardous materials endorsement on your out-of-state license and wish to apply for one on your Michigan license, you must apply for a federal background record check (BRC) with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and TSA must approve your application for a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) on your driver license. The TSA will send their results to you by letter once your background check is completed.
You can find more information at the following websites:
The Transportation Security Administration
The UES' call center hours of operation are from 8:00am to 10pm Eastern, Monday through Friday.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
The CFR provides the legal authority and basis for requirements for a federal background record check.
You may view the entire Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Particular sections of note include:
If the TSA notifies a state that a driver is not eligible for a hazardous materials endorsement (HME), the state is required to deny an application of a HME or revoke an HME if currently on a person's driver license. This will not affect your CDL Group or any other endorsements, and does not affect your base Operator or Chauffeur license. If you currently have an X endorsement, it will be converted to an N endorsement.
If TSA disqualified you from holding a hazardous materials endorsement you may appeal to the TSA and in some circumstances request a waiver from TSA. Only the TSA may hear appeals or consider requests for waivers. You can find more information about appeals and waivers at the TSA website.
The state cannot hear any appeals on TSA denials or revocations and cannot accept or grant requests for TSA waivers to apply for an HME. Neither the Secretary of State nor the Michigan courts can provide any relief or assistance related to obtaining a HME or appealing an unfavorable TSA decision.
Yes. Provided the driver does not reach for, dial or hold the actual mobile telephone in his/her hand while driving and the driver is able to touch the button needed to operate the push-to-talk feature from the normal seated position with the safety belt fastened. Generally, the use of this type of communication equipment does not require drivers to take their eyes off of the forward roadway because the button used to enable the driver to communicate can be operated from the normal seated position with the safety belt fastened. For example, if the mobile phone is mounted in a cradle or similar device near the driver, or there is a remote push-to-talk button near the vehicle controls to allow the driver to communicate without reaching for, dialing, or holding the actual mobile telephone in his/her hands while driving, the equipment may be used.
CDL holders are subject to the federal rule only when driving a CMV.
No. The operations of a tow truck that meets the definition of a CMV are not exempt. Tow trucks, however, are exempt when responding to police emergencies in accordance with 49 CFR 390.23(a)(3).
Yes. Hands-free use of a mobile telephone is allowed using either a wired or wireless earpiece, or the speakerphone function of the mobile telephone. Wireless connection of the mobile telephone to the vehicle for hands-free operation of the telephone, which would allow the use of single-button controls on the steering wheel or dashboard, would also be allowed.
No. In order to comply with this rule, a driver must have his or her mobile telephone located where the driver is able to initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button while the driver is in the seated driving position and properly restrained by a seat belt. If the mobile telephone is not close to the driver and operable while the driver is restrained by properly installed and adjusted seat belts, then the driver is considered to be reaching for the mobile phone, which is prohibited by the rule.
If you already have a CDL, you don’t need to complete entry-level driver training to add a tanker (N) endorsement, or double / triple trailer (T) endorsement.
For passenger and school bus endorsements, you can take the required knowledge exams and apply for a commercial learner’s permit. You must then complete entry-level driver training before scheduling a CDL skills test through a driver testing business.
For hazardous materials endorsements, entry-level driver training must be completed before you take a knowledge exam to apply for an original endorsement.
You will need to pass knowledge exams about any CDL endorsements for which you are applying. To help you prepare the exams, the Michigan Commercial Driver's License Manual is available on our website.
Michigan Commercial Driver's License Manual
There are no minimum training hours for completing entry-level driver training. For more information about specific classes, contact an approved provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry.
FMCSA Training Provider Registry
Yes. Entry-level driver training is required by the federal government to add an original hazardous materials endorsement to your CDL.
Entry-level driver training isn’t required if you’re renewing a CDL that already has a hazardous materials endorsement.
If you dropped the endorsement within the last two years, you can reapply for the endorsement without taking a CDL knowledge exam.
Yes. Beginning November 18, 2024, the State of Michigan will be required to check the DACH prior to completing licensing transactions, such as the issuance, renewal, transfer, and upgrade of a CLP or CDL.
No. Dialing a mobile telephone while operating a CMV in interstate or intrastate commerce is prohibited by the rule. A driver can initiate, answer or terminate a call by touching a single button on a mobile telephone, earpiece, steering wheel or instrument panel - comparable to using vehicle controls or instrument panel functions, such as the radio or climate control system.
Human traffickers often use truck stops, bus stations, rest areas, and transit centers for coordinating and moving victims. Signs of human trafficking may include:
If something looks suspicious, trust your instincts, and contact local authorities by a call or text (calls may be made anonymously). If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. Never attempt to confront a trafficker or victim.
When reporting a suspected human trafficking situation, describe specifically what you observed, including:
More information is available at the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Call (888) 373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree at 233733. The NHT hotline is a non-governmental agency funded by the federal government. It is not a law enforcement or immigration authority.
In addition to the appropriate CDL group designation, endorsements are required for the following:
If you are applying for a hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsement, you will need proof of U.S. citizenship (certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, etc.) or proof of your immigration status. Immigration documents must be verified through the federal government’s SAVE application. Verification may take more than one day.
All Secretary of State offices can accept payment by cash, credit or debit card (additional fees apply), or money order or check made payable to the State of Michigan.
A driver's Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) or Commercial Driver's License (CDL) will be required to be downgraded by the State of Michigan upon notification of a Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) violation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
If your license is misplaced, you will need to provide multiple documents to prove your identity (U.S. passport, birth certificate, etc.) and your citizenship.
Beginning February 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires customers applying for a first-time CDL or upgrading a CDL to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an approved driver education provider. Information about finding a provider can be found on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry.
ELDT must be completed before you can take a hazardous materials endorsement knowledge test. For other CDL classes and endorsements, you may take knowledge tests and obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) but you must complete ELDT before scheduling a CDL skills test through a driver testing business.
Proof of completion of ELDT will show up in our system automatically through the federal government’s Commercial Skills Test Information Management System.
FMCSA Training Provider Registry
The Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) is an online database administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Its primary objective is to provide law enforcement, state licensing agencies (DMV), and employers in the transportation industry with up-to-date compliance information regarding drug and alcohol program violations of commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders.
A CDL driver who tests positive on a DOT test or refuses to take a DOT test, must successfully complete the return-to-duty (RTD) process with a DOT qualified substance abuse professional (SAP). The requirements for the RTD are found in [49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O].
For more information visit clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov or call the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, 1-844-955-0207. For a more detailed FMCSA overview of the DACH process for employers visit DACH Employer Instructions.
The rule covers both drivers of CMVs in interstate and intrastate commerce (vehicles with a GVWR or CGVWR greater than 10,000 pounds). Also drivers who operate a vehicle transporting a quantity of hazardous materials requiring placarding under 49 CFR Part 172 or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73. If a CMV driver is employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state (e.g., county, city, township, etc.), FMCSA safety regulations (part 382, 391, 392, 393) apply, even if the driver is only engaged in intrastate transportation.
In accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) regulation 383.51(c)(10), "driving for the purpose of this disqualification, means operating a commercial motor vehicle on a highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays. Driving does not include operating a commercial motor vehicle when the driver has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway and has halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary."
The rule does not require motor carriers to establish written policies in terms of company policy or training programs for their drivers. However, employers are prohibited from allowing or requiring their drivers to use hand-held mobile phones. A motor carrier may establish policies or practices that make it clear that the employer does not require or allow hand-held mobile telephone use while driving a CMV in interstate commerce. The carrier is responsible for its drivers' conduct.
