Indiana Commercial Driver’s License Requirements

Operating large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) like 18-wheelers, buses, and utility vehicles in Indiana requires a special license known as a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Obtaining a CDL in Indiana involves passing a skills test and holding a CDL permit to demonstrate your ability to safely handle these larger rigs, whether they are carrying passengers or hazardous cargo.

Driving these heavy-duty carriers comes with a unique set of challenges, so to ensure you are up for the task, Indiana CDL regulations have several requirements you must meet. These include completing training, passing written and road tests, and adhering to state guidelines for operating a commercial motor vehicle. Having a valid commercial driver’s license not only opens up job opportunities but also ensures that drivers meet safety standards for themselves and others on the road.

What is Required for a CDL in Indiana?

The basic conditions for an Indiana CDL are relatively straightforward:

• You must be at least 18 years old; if you plan to drive passenger vehicles or cross state lines, you must be 21.
• You must have held an Indiana driver’s license for a minimum of one year.
• You must prove your legal status in the U.S. as well as your residency in Indiana (via documents like your passport, birth certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, bank statements, utility bills, etc.)
• The state of Indiana also requires all CDL applicants to submit a request to the Indiana State Police for a thorough review of any past vehicle crashes. This allows the law enforcement agency to ensure you have a clean driving history.
• You must also pass a health exam by an FMCSA-approved doctor, prove your physical fitness for driving CMVs, and get a Medical Examiner’s Certificate.

Before You Apply for a CDL

Before you can obtain your commercial driver’s license, you need to get a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Here is what you will need to do:

• Show proof of being a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, along with evidence that you reside in Indiana.
• Bring along the proper medical paperwork.
• Pass an eye exam demonstrating at least 20/40 vision in each eye.
• Inform the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) about any states where you have held a driving license in the past 10 years.
• Pay the $17 fee for the CLP.
• Complete the written knowledge tests for your desired CDL class and any special endorsements you need.

As per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), while holding a CLP, you are only allowed to drive on public roads under the supervision of a full CDL holder. The CLP is valid for 180 days and can be renewed up to three times within a two-year period. Before taking the skills test for your CDL, you need a minimum of 14 days of practice with your CLP.

CDL Classes And Endorsements in Indiana

Commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) are categorized into different classes based on the size and type of motor vehicles the license holder is permitted to operate. The three main CDL classes—Class A, B, and C—determine whether Indiana CDL drivers can handle large trucks, buses, or vehicles transporting hazardous materials.

To obtain a CDL license, applicants must first secure a CDL permit by passing a written knowledge exam. This allows them to practice driving under supervision before attempting the Indiana CDL skills test. This skills test, administered by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), includes a vehicle inspection, a basic controls test, and a road driving test to ensure applicants can safely operate vehicles in compliance with federal motor carrier safety regulations.

Additional endorsements, such as those for tankers, school buses, or hazardous materials, require applicants to pass additional tests as part of their CDL education course. Meeting Indiana CDL requirements also involves providing proof of Indiana residency and holding a valid driver’s license. Ensuring that drivers are fully qualified helps maintain road safety and protects other motorists from potential risks posed by improperly trained commercial drivers. In Indiana, these are:

Class A CDL

A Class A CDL is needed for operating tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, tank vehicles, livestock carriers, and flatbeds. It allows you to drive any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds.

Class B CDL

A Class B CDL allows driving single vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more or towing vehicles under 10,000 pounds. This includes buses, box trucks, and dump trucks with small trailers.

Class C CDL

You need a Class C CDL for small HazMat vehicles, passenger vans, and combination vehicles not covered by Class A or B, but that are used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or transport hazardous materials in quantities large enough to require placards.

In addition, CDL holders in Indiana also need specific endorsements based on the types of vehicles or types of materials to be hauled.

• Endorsement H (Hazardous materials): Needed for transporting placarded substances classified as “hazardous” by federal law (49 U.S.C. 5103).
• Endorsement N (Tanks): For driving vehicles with tanks carrying over 119 gallons (liquids or gasses) individually or 1,000 gallons in total.
• Endorsement P (Passenger transport): For vehicles transporting 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
• Endorsement S (School bus): For driving vehicles that transport students to and from school or school-related events.
• Endorsement T (Doubles or triple trailers): For driving a vehicle with two or three trailers.
• Endorsement X (Combination of tank vehicles and hazardous materials): For driving tank vehicles with harmful substances; you need to pass the tests for both N and H endorsements.

Additional (New) CDL Requirements

The FMCSA has issued new Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations, which came into effect on February 7, 2022. These rules are to make sure that commercial drivers have a higher level of training to ensure they are well-prepared for the responsibilities that come with operating large, heavy vehicles.

You will need to complete the new training if:

• You already have a Class B CDL and want to upgrade to a Class A CDL
• You are applying for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time
• You want to obtain a School Bus (S), Passenger (P), Or Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement for the first time

If you received your CLP or CDL before February 7, 2022, you are not subject to these new ELDT requirements

There is another prerequisite for first-time CDL applicants as of July 1, 2023. As part of the Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) initiative to combat human trafficking, CDL applicants now must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to handle situations where they might come across such victims. Every first-time CDL applicant must watch an instructional video about recognizing, preventing, and reporting human trafficking.

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