How to Get Your CDL in Utah and Minnesota

This is a guide to help you to get a CDL in Utah and Minnesota. If you want to learn about applying for a CDL in other states, check out this guide on applying for a CDL in all states of the country.

Utah

To obtain a CDL in Utah, you must:

• receive training with the vehicle you wish to drive
• obtain a medical certificate
• apply for your license in person at a field office of the Driver License Division of the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS)

After you have completed any preparation and training you feel you need to do before you take your tests, you will have to take all appropriate knowledge tests (which are written) and skills tests (which are on-the-road tests).

Knowledge Tests

The knowledge tests you take will depend on the type of license and endorsements you are seek. All applicants must take the General Knowledge test.

• Bus driver applicants take the Passenger Transport test.
• If your vehicle has air brakes, you must take the Air Brakes test.
• If you drive a combination vehicle, you must take the Combination Vehicles test.
• If you want to haul hazardous material or waste in amounts which require placarding, you must take the Hazardous Materials test
• If you want to haul liquids in bulk, you must take the Tanker test
• If you want to pull double or triple trailers, you must take the Doubles/Triples test

Learner's Permits

Once you get a medical certificate and pass the knowledge tests, you may receive a learner's permit. Anyone in possession of a learner's permit can legally practice for the driving skills test in a commercial vehicle, as long as a commercial operator with the appropriate license and endorsements rides with you.

Skills Tests

After you've passed the knowledge tests and have practiced on the road with your learner's permit, you can take the skills tests. During the skills tests, you drive in the type of vehicle you seek a license for. You will be tested in pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. When applying for a new CDL, bring the following documents:

• Your current Utah driver license
• Your Social Security card
• Your valid DOT medical card or "Long Form"
• If you took the skills test from a third-party tester, bring your Certificate of Driver Competency
• Your application form (you can fill this out at the driver license field office)
• Required application/testing fees

Minnesota

You must have a CDL to operate any of the following commercial motor vehicles:

• A set of vehicles in which the gross combination weight is 26,000+ pounds and the towed unit has a gross vehicle weight of 10,000+
• A single vehicle with a GVW of 26,000+ pounds
• A vehicle designed to transport 15+ people, including the driver
• Any size vehicle that requires hazardous materials placards (the age requirement is usually 21 to transport hazardous materials)
• Any size vehicle outwardly equipped and identified as a school bus

After you have completed any preparation and training you feel you need to do before you take your tests, you will have to take all appropriate knowledge tests (which are written) and skills tests (which are on-the-road tests).

Knowledge Tests

The knowledge tests you take will depend on the type of license and endorsements you are seek. All applicants must take the General Knowledge test.

• Bus driver applicants take the Passenger Transport test.
• If your vehicle has air brakes, you must take the Air Brakes test.
• If you drive a combination vehicle, you must take the Combination Vehicles test.
• If you want to haul hazardous material or waste in amounts which require placarding, you must take the Hazardous Materials test
• If you want to haul liquids in bulk, you must take the Tanker test
• If you want to pull double or triple trailers, you must take the Doubles/Triples test

You must be at least 18 years old, pass your knowledge tests, and have a valid Minnesota driver’s license in order to obtain a commercial learner permit (CLP). You must obtain a a CLP and hold it for 14 days before you can take your CDL road tests.

Skills Tests

The CDL skills test is broken into three phases: (1) the pre-trip inspection; (2) the basic control skills and (3) the road test. You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.