Illinois Commercial Drivers

If you are considering becoming a commercial driver, the process to obtain your CDL is much more involved than a standard driver’s license.  Commercial driver’s licenses are for drivers that will be transporting hazardous materials or transports 16 or more passengers.  The driver is required to have special training, specific documentation and test for specific types of commercial vehicles which they will be operating.

Each state in the United States has the same requirements and licenses and endorsements for CDL drivers which are mandated at the federal level.

Fees

There are a number of fees that are involved in obtaining your Illinois commercial driver’s license.  For each endorsement, there will be an additional fee that is required of you and must be paid in the form of cash or check.  You can expect to be responsible for paying the following:

  • For new CDL applicants that do not currently hold a valid Illinois driver’s license:  $60
  • For CDL applicants that currently hold a valid Illinois driver’s license:  $50
  • For CDL applicants who are applying for a limited Illinois School Bus CDL:  #20
  • For each endorsement that the CDL applicant applies for there will be an addition charge for each of:  $5

Testing

When applying for your Illinois CDL there will be two separate tests that are required.  The first is the written exam and the second is the behind the wheel driving.  The written exam will consist of:

  • Multiple choice questions that will measure your knowledge of road rules and laws
The behind the wheel testing will consist of:

  • You will have to conduct a pre trip inspection of your vehicle in the presence of the Secretary of State examiner
  • Show that you have knowledge of basic control skills of the vehicle and can operate the vehicle safely
  • Show that you are able to operate the vehicle safely in actual on the road driving  with the SOS examiner present.  You vehicle must have a seat and seatbelt for the examiner as well as yourself.
  • Your vehicle must be registered in the state of Illinois and you must show your registration certificate.
The state of Illinois offers the Illinois Commercial Driver’s License Study Guide for all CDL drivers.  The guide is 161 pages of information regarding road rules and laws and covers all aspects of commercial driving.  To download the guide, visit Commercial Driver’s License Study Guide

While the written exam can be passed by studying the Illinois Commercial Driver’s License Study Guide, you will need professional training from a commercial driving school to pass the driving exam.

Scheduling Your Road Skills Test

Once you complete and pass your written exams, you will then need to schedule an appointment for your driving tests.  To schedule your driving test you will need to:

  • Provide proof of your vehicle insurance and registration
  • Dial 630-293-1191 for West Chicago, Elk Grove or South Holland facilities
  • Dial 217-785-3013 for all other Illinois facilities

If you Fail Your Written or Road Exams

If you fail your written or road exams, you can retake the tests.   However, there is a waiting period.  Should you fail your written or road exams, speak with the SOS examiner to determine which areas you need to improve and to reschedule your tests.

Medical Examiner’s Certificate

When you apply to become a CDL driver in the state of Illinois, you must be healthy and show certification by a certified physician who will need to complete a medical certificate on your behalf.  The medical certificate can be found at Commercial Driver’s License

To obtain specific information regarding medical testing processes and requirements and licensing contact the:

  • Illinois Department of Transportation
  • Commercial Vehicle Safety Section
  • Motor Carrier Safety Unit
  • 3215 Executive Park Drive
  • Springfield, IL  62703
  • 217-785-1181
For more information specific to Illinois Commercial Driver's License information.

Federal Guidelines

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was established and currently in effect in Illinois for two major purposes:

  • To ensure all CDL drivers are qualified for operation of commercial vehicles
  • To remove unsafe CDL drivers from Illinois highways
While federal licensing is not required to become a CDL driver in Illinois, it is required that the minimum standards of the state are met prior to being issued your Illinois CDL.  The Act requires that all states in the US upgrade existing programs to ensure the federal standards are followed.

The Act also impacted standard licensing requirements in all states and ensures that a driver only holds one license.  This ensures that drivers are not able to go from one state to another to obtain a CDL when they may not be a qualified driver.

CDL Classes for Every State

There are requirements that CDL drivers must meet.  Federal regulations require all CDL drivers to:

  • Pass a physical examination every two years
  • If you are planning on operating a CDL on the Interstate you must be at least 21 years of age
  • You must be able to read and speak English at a level that you can communicate with the public, prepare reports and read road signs
There are three separate classes of commercial driver’s licenses which were established by the Act which are:

  • Class A CDL: Operation of any combination of motor vehicles reaching GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided that this GVWR of any vehicles towed is over 10,000 lbs.
  • Class B CDL: Operation of any single motor vehicle with GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or greater, or any vehicle that is towing a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less
  • Class C CDL: Operation of any single motor vehicle, or any combination of motor vehicles, which doesn’t meet definition of either Class A or B, but is designed either for transport of 16 passengers or more, including the driver, or if there is a placard for hazardous material transport. Many states make exceptions for farm vehicles, snow removal vehicles, fire and emergency vehicles, and some military vehicles.

Endorsements

There is specific testing that is required for CDLs of certain types.  CDL drivers will need to take the specific tests for the endorsements they wish to obtain.  Once you have passed the testing, you will then receive the endorsement which will be placed on your Illinois commercial driver’s license.   There are five separate endorsements which CDL drivers can apply for with each requiring that the applicant take anywhere from one to five written tests and two driving tests.

The endorsements which CDL drivers can obtain are as follows:

  • P Endorsement: Passenger – written and road exams required
  • H Endorsement: Hazardous Materials – written exam required
  • N Endorsement: Tank Vehicle – written exam required
  • P Endorsement: Passenger – written and road exams required
  • S Endorsement: School Buses – written and road exams required
  • T Endorsement: Double and triple trailers – written exam required

Required for Medical Certification

Before being issued your CDL, you must show proof that you are physically fit.  This is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  Requirements include having a physical exam every two years and CDL drivers to carry a U.S. Department of Transportation medical certificate if:

  • You are operating motor vehicle with GVWR, GCWR, GVW, or GCW reaching 10,000 pounds, or 4,536 kilograms, or more within interstate commerce.
  • You are operating motor vehicle that is designed or operated in order to transport 9 to 15 passengers, with direct compensation, over 75 air miles from regular work-reporting location, within interstate commerce.
  • You are operating motor vehicle that is designed or operated for transport of 15 or more passengers, which includes the driver, within interstate commerce.
  • You are transporting hazardous materials that are hauled in quantities that require the appropriate placard, within interstate commerce.
CDL drivers are required to always carry a copy of their medical examination certificate when they drive.  For all drivers that reside in Canada or Mexico who drive in the US they must be certified by doctors from their home country, and met the requirements set by the FMCSA.

Minimum Training Requirements

Currently there are no federal standards that require CDL drivers to have driver training.  The state ensures that the drivers are prepared for operating their vehicles on the highways and roadways through the written and driving tests.

If you are a CDL driver of longer combination vesicles you are also required to:

  • Complete driver wellness training
  • Complete whistleblower protection
  • Complete hours of service
  • Complete driver qualifications
To begin preparing yourself for the state written exam, the state publishes the Commercial Driver’s Manual which can be downloaded for free.

There will be certain skills that you must know to pass your driving skills tests such as:

  • How to perform a pre trip inspection of you vehicle
  • How to couple and uncouple tractors and trailer
  • How to operate the vehicle in various traffic conditions
CDL drivers can obtain driver’s training from their employers or can take a private driving course.  Most Professional Truck Driver Institutes have a set minimum standard for training curriculums that once students complete, they will receive their certification of completion.  These courses meet industry and Federal Highway Administration guidelines.

Hazmat Background Checks

In most states, background checks are performed by the Transportation Security Administration.   All CDL drivers who are transporting hazardous materials on the highways and roadways, must pass a background records check and will also be required to be fingerprinted.

This step in the process of obtaining your CDL is a result of the USA PATRIOT Act  (Public Law 107-296, Section 1121-1123), ARS 28-3103(A)(2), and 49 CFR 1572.

If for some reason you fail your background check, you can appeal or seek a waiver.  However, if you are guilty of the crime against you, you will need to surrender your hazmat endorsement if applicable and will no longer be able to transport hazardous materials or apply for your hazmat endorsement.

Applying for Your Hazardous Materials Background Check

After you are issued your commercial driver’s license and are going to be transporting hazardous materials, you will need to apply for your background check in order to obtain the endorsement.  You can do this by contacting a TSA agent or applying online.  You will need:

  • Your CDL permit number or your CDL number
  • Proof that you are a legal in the US
  • Proof of your identity
Upon successfully passing your background check, you will then be required to be fingerprinted.  The FBI and TSA will conduct background investigations and you will be required to pay:

  • $17.25 for your FBI background check
  • $34 for your TSA background check
  • $38 for fingerprinting
You can expect your TSA background check to be completed within 30 days and notification of your successful pass or failing will come via mail.  If you have been approved you can then obtain your hazmat endorsement.  If you fail you can seek a waiver or appeal the decision.

Hazmat endorsements must:

  • Be renewed at least every five years
  • Apply for a new background check with each renewal
No less than 30 days prior to the expiration date of your current approval, you must arrange for the background check.

Disqualifying Crimes

As a hazmat driver, if you are convicted of a serious crime, you will lose your driving privileges.  Such crimes include:

  • Arson
  • Treason
  • Kidnapping
  • Assault with intent to murder
  • Terrorism