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    Title: Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
    Alternate Title: CDL - Commercial Driver's License
    Description: Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS)
    Subject: Commercial Drivers
    Commercial Vehicles
    Driver Medical Waivers
    Drivers
    Drivers' License
    Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:11:57 PM
    Modification Date: 10/29/2025 9:33:23 AM
    Agency Name: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Department of
    Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov
    Agency Description: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), Emergency Communication Networks, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Office of Justice Programs, State Fire Marshal, Pipeline Safety, State Highway Patrol, Capitol Security and Traffic Safety.
    Agency Phone: 651-201-7000
    Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov
    Agency Address: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Dept. of
    445 Minnesota Street

    St. Paul
    MN
    55101
    Division Name: Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)
    Division URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs
    Division Description:
    Division Phone: 651-297-5029
    651-282-6555 TTY
    Division Fax: Division URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs
    Division Address:
    445 Minnesota St., Suite 190

    St. Paul
    MN 55101-5190

    Audience: Application URL:
    Renewal URL:
    Versa URL:
    Requirements: Review:

    Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
    The U.S. Department of Transportation announced new regulations for issuing non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses (CDL) and commercial learner's permits (CLP) starting Sept. 29. The MN Dept. of Public Safety (DPS), Driver & Vehicle Services (DVS) is looking into how these regulations will impact CDL and CLP drivers and applicants, including the documentation they can accept.

    Due to these new regulations, DPS is not currently allowed to accept new non-domiciled CDL and CLP applications. This includes renewals, duplicates, address changes, upgrades and transfers.

    Read the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s interim final ruling 

    DPS will share more information as it becomes available.

    U.S. documentation currently accepted for CDL and CLP applications (updated Sept. 29)
    • Passport
    • Birth certificate
    • Certificate of birth abroad
    • Certificate of citizenship
    • Certificate of naturalization
    • Permanent resident card
    What is a non-domiciled CDL
    A non-domiciled CDL or CLP is issued when someone applies for a CDL or CLP but is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
     
    The following table shows what is needed to get a CDL and a non-domiciled CDL.

     
                                                                                     CDL       Non-domiciled CDL

    Knowledge test                                                     Yes        Yes

    Road test                                                                 Yes        Yes
     
    Medical certification (if not exempt)                Yes        Yes
     
    Minnesota residency                                            Yes        Yes

    U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident        Yes        No      
     
    Foreign passport with I-94                                  No         Yes (H-2A, H-2B, E-2 visa holders only)
     

    License classes

    There are three types of CDL license classes:

    • Class A: Vehicle towing a unit of more than 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) with a gross combination weight rating (truck plus trailer) over 26,000 pounds

    • Class B: Vehicle over 26,000 pounds GVWR

      Class C: Vehicle 26,000 pounds GVWR or less

      You must apply for a Minnesota CDL if you live in Minnesota and operate a commercial vehicle.
    Learn how to apply for a CDL
    Class AClass BClass C





    Learn about endorsements and restrictions

    Endorsements and restrictionsSchool bus endorsementHazmat endorsement

    CDL resources

    Audio manual
     


    Rules: 7409
    7410
    7503

    Statutes: 171.02
    171.161

    Forms:
    Commercial driver's license forms
    Form name Use this form to:
    FMCSA vision evaluation form (MCSA-5871) Complete a vision report. Must be signed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
    Application for military skills test waiver Apply for a CDL if you have two years' experience safely operating heavy military vehicles without taking the driving test (skills test).
    Commercial driver's license medical self-certification form (PS33203) Complete a self-certification form for class A, B or C.
    Medical examiner's certificate (MCSA-5876) Request a Medical Examiner certify that the driver examined is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
    Medical examination report for commercial driver fitness (MCSA-5875) Complete the medical history portion of the medical examination report. To learn more, please visit information on driver physical qualification
    Notification of conviction in another state or jurisdiction by a commercial driver (PS30372) Notify DVS of a conviction in another state or jurisdiction by a commercial driver.
    Seasonal farm cdl waiver (PS30060) Apply for a seasonal farm CDL waiver.
    Request for removal lifetime disqualification (PS2906) Request removal of your lifetime CDL disqualification.

    School bus and type III school bus medical waivers
    Form name Use this form to:
    Epilepsy/loss of consciousness-voluntary control Learn more about how to contact DVS about obtaining an epilepsy waiver packet. 
    Insulin-treated diabetes mellitus report (MCSA-5870) Complete an insulin-treated diabetes mellitus assessment.
    Limb impairment waiver packet Apply for a limb impairment waiver.
    School bus applicant affidavit Complete a school bus applicant affidavit.
    School bus pre-app Complete a school bus criminal records check authorization.
    Vision waiver packet Apply for a vision waiver.
    Commercial driver's license documents

    Check the status of your application


    Fees:
    Period of Issuance:

    Commercial driver's licenses always expire on the applicant's birthday and must be renewed every four years once they have reached the age of 21.


    Length of Determination: Ten days to two weeks.
    Other Info:
    Activity: Carriers
    Commercial Drivers
    Motor Vehicle
    MN Drivers License
    Drivers License
    License Detail URL:

    Driver and Vehicle Services

    Online Services

    MN Dept. of Public Safety (DPS)

    Social Media

        


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