Ky.gov

Commercial Driver's License

  • Drivers
  • Commercial Driver's License
Drivers
​Clearinghouse Status and CDL Downgrad​es​

Beginning November 18, 2024, having a "prohibited" Clearinghouse status will result in losing or being denied a commercial driver's license (CDL) or commercial learner's permit (CLP). 
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Drivers in a "prohibited" Clearinghouse status must complete the return-to-duty (RTD) process to become eligible for a CDL or CLP.

Learn about the steps a driver takes to get back to being "not prohibited" by clicking HERE​.
esting and licensing heavy truck and bus operators are required by law in Kentucky. These minimum standards will guarantee the fitness of commercial motor vehicle operators by requiring demonstrated ability to drive heavy vehicles before a license is issued. The Commercial Driver's License (CDL) laws and standards cover drivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico, and Canada. Motor Carriers will be held responsible if their drivers operate a commercial motor vehicle without a valid CDL.

Useful CDL Resources


MyCDL Quick Start Guides

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​CDL Document Portal​​
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​WHO NEEDS A CDL

​​​​​If driving a commercial motor vehicle as defined below, you are required to carry a medical examination certificate, even though you are not required to carry a  CDL license.​


Commercial Motor Vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:

  • ​​Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater or

    • Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) shall be determined by the combined actual physical weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo, fuel, and all other items, and, if towing, the tongue weight.

  • Is designed or used to transport more than eight passengers (including the driver) for compensation.

  • Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation or

  • ​Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 USC 5103 and transported in quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.​​

​RESTRICTIONS AND ENDORSEMENTS 

Endorsements:

  • H Hazardous Materials

  • N Tank

  • P Passenger

  • T Double/Triple Trailer

  • X Tank/Hazardous Materials combined

  • S School Bus

    • ​Effective July 1, 2023, school bus endorsement holders will no longer be required to submit to an annual medical exam due to a revision in KRS 281A.175.  The medical certificate can be valid for a period of up to 24 months.​

​Restrictions:

  • L No Air Brake Equipped CMV

  • Z No Full Air Brake Equipped CMV

  • E No Manual Transmission Equipped CMV

  • O No Tractor-trailer CMV

  • M No Class A Passenger Vehicle

  • N No Class A and B Passenger Vehicle

  • K Intrastate Only

  • V Medical Variance

  • P No Passengers in CMV Bus

  • X No Cargo in CMV Tank Vehicle

  • 8 Other (special restrictions)

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REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A PERMIT/ LICENSE
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ALL CDL PAPERWORK MUST BE PROCESSED ON THE DRIVING RECORD BEFORE TESTING
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  • CDL paperwork includes a valid Medical Certificate, Self-Certification, and Commercial application

  • ​Driver must be at least 18 years of age.

  • ​Driver must be a Permanent Resident or US Citizen to apply

    • ​​* Effective July 1, 2023, a non-domicile commercial learner’s permit (CLP), or commercial driver’s license (CDL) may be issued to a driver who is not a US Citizen or permanent resident.  An applicant domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction must provide an unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by USCIS or an unexpired foreign passport accompanied by an approved I-94 form documenting the applicant’s most recent admittance into the United States.  An applicant for a non-domiciled CLP or CDL is not required to surrender his/her foreign license.  The non-domiciled CLP or CDL will be valid for the same length of time as their approved length of stay in the United States.​​

  • Before obtaining a permit/license, all new applicants must complete the required written, vision, and skills tests, administered by the Kentucky State Police.

  • ​No tests are required for persons transferring to Kentucky with valid driving privileges, except for persons transferring from foreign countries. ( Except Hazmat Endorsement)

  • With the passage of SB 124, no testing is required for persons with licenses expired for less than five (5) years. 

  • Any driver suspended or expired for more than five (5) years will start over with a permit as a new driver.​


​ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING (ELDT) REGULATIONS

  • Entry-level drivers include those applying to: 

    • ​Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time; 
    • Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or 
    • Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.

  • ​The ELDT regulations do not apply to individuals except from the CDL requirements under 49 CFR part 383. This includes:

    • ​Individuals applying under §383.3(c), (d), or (h);
    • Individuals applying for a restricted CDL under §383.3(e) through (g);
    • Military personnel who meet all requirements and conditions of §383.77; or
    • Individuals applying for removal of a restriction per §383.135(b)(7).

  • Entry-level drivers subject to the ELDT regulations must complete entry-level driver training from a training provider registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

  • ​An applicant who obtains a commercial learner's permit (CLP) before February 7, 2022, is not required to complete the entry-level driver training for obtaining a CDL, so long as the applicant obtains a CDL before the CLP or renewed CLP expires.

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For a list of registered training providers, and to learn more about the ELDT requirements, visit the  FMCSA Training Provider Registry
​SKILLS TEST

CDL skills testing appointments are made by calling the Kentucky State Police at 1 (800) 542-5990.​

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​WANTS AND WARRANTS CHECK FOR ALL CDL DRIVERS (KRS 281A.300​)​

All applicants for a CDL (original and renewal) must undergo a "hot file" check conducted by the Kentucky State Police. The cost is $3.00 and will be collected by the KYTC Driver Licensing Regional office at the time of issuance. It will be a quick check and will not delay the driver in receiving their CDL. If a "hit" occurs, a notice will be sent to the law enforcement agency that originated the warrant for further investigation.


RENEWING A CDL

Also, prior to the issuance of an original, renewal or upgrade CDL / CLP all CDL holders/applicants must self-certify as to what type of driving vehicle they are operating in or expect to operate in by completing TC 94-169 Commercial Driver License Self Certification form. The above information must be forwarded to the Division of Driver Licensing and posted to the driver’s CDLIS record prior to applying for issuance of a CDL / CLP at a Driver Licensing Regional office.

Also, 49 CFR 384.206 mandates new CDL applicants, renewals, upgrades and CDL transfers to complete a commercial driver's license application 10-year history survey. Drivers/applicants must provide a list of all states where they held a license to operate any type of vehicle in the previous 10 years. Failure to disclose the required information subjects the applicant to a possible 60 (sixty) day suspension for falsifying an application.
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​​HAZMAT THREAT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM​

​ ​The USA PATRIOT Act requires all drivers transporting hazardous materials to undergo a security threat assessment. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)​ developed a program to implement this requirement.


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HAZMAT FINGERPRINTING LOCATIONS​​​

 Lexington​​​​​​​
141 Leestown Center Way​​
​Lexington, KY 40511​
​Monday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm​ ​
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 Louisville, at Bowman Field
3501 Roger E. Schupp Street
​Louisville, KY 40205​
​Monday & Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm​ ​
 Independence​​​​​​​
1655 Delaware Crossing
​Independence, KY 41051​
​Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm​ ​
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 Paducah, at Regional Office
2855 Jackson Street​
​Paducah, KY 42003​
​Thursday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm​ ​
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 Madisonville, at Regional Office​​​​​​​
56 Federal Street
​Madisonville, KY 42431​
​Wednesday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm​ ​

 Morehead Driver Licensing Regional Office​​​​​​​
126 Bradley Avenue
​Morehead, KY 4​0351​
​Thursday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm​ ​ ​
 Elizabethtown Driver Licensing Regional Office​​​​​​​
916 North Mulberry
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Friday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

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 Bowling Green, at Regional Office​​​​​​​
360 E 8th Avenue, Suite 140
​Bowling Green, KY ​42101​
​Monday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm​ ​
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 London Driver Licensing Regional Office
845 South Main Street​
​London, KY 40743​
​Wednesday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm​ ​
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 Pikeville Driver Licensing Regional Office​​​​​​​
126 Trivette Drive, Suite 103
Pikeville, KY 41501
Tuesday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
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​GENERAL RULES

  • ​​​You cannot have more than one license. If you break this rule, a court may fine you up to $5,000 or place you in jail. You must be licensed in your home state.

  • You must notify your employer within 30 days of a conviction for any traffic violation (except parking). This is factual, no matter what type of vehicle you were driving.

  • You must notify your motor vehicle license agency within 30 days if you are convicted of a traffic violation (except parking) in any other state. This is factual, no matter what type of vehicle you were driving.

  • You must notify your employer if your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled or if you are disqualified from driving.

  • You must give your employer information on all driving jobs you have held for the past ten years. You must do this when you apply for a commercial driving job.

  • After April 1, 1992, no one could drive a commercial motor vehicle without a CDL. A state may fine you up to $5,000 or place you in jail for breaking this law. Your employer may not let you drive a commercial motor vehicle if you have more than one license or your CDL is suspended or revoked. A court may fine the employer up to $10,000 or place him in jail for breaking this rule.​​


​WAIVERS AND VIOLATIONS

​HOW DOES THE SYSTEM PREVENT MULTIPLE LICENSES?​

Kentucky has joined an information system called the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS), which will serve as a clearinghouse of information on commercial drivers nationwide. CDLIS will be used to eliminate drivers from holding multiple licenses and obtaining fraudulent licenses. For information regarding skills test appointments or test date availability, call Kentucky State Police at 1 (800) 542-5990. 

For information on CDL regulations or questions regarding licensing of commercial drivers, call the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at (502) 564-1257.​
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