Nevada Commercial Driver Licensing



Commercial Driver Licensing

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General Information
CDL Forms
CDL Offices and Skills Testing
DUI Revocation/Suspension Rules

CDL Instruction Permit Requirements (PDF)


General Information	Back To Top

First-time CDL applicants should visit a CDL office. Experienced CDL drivers may visit DMV Full Service Offices to submit a DOT physical, take knowledge tests or transfer an existing out-of-state license. CDL skills tests are administered at CDL offices only.

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle —

Has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; or
Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more; or
Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require placarding.

Commercial drivers must meet the same Residency & Proof of Identity requirements as non-commercial drivers. They must meet different age requirements, submit to a physical exam and pass additional skills and knowledge tests.

Advanced Secure Issuance (ASI)
The DMV is implementing its new ASI licensing program from January through March, 2010. Documentation requirements will differ depending on whether the office you visit has implemented ASI.

Start Here for any driver license or ID card transaction.

If you apply at an ASI office, you must meet the ASI requirements for any change of class or endorsements.

See our ASI Home Page for more information on this program.

You must be at least 21 years of age to be issued a CDL to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce and to receive endorsements for passengers or hazardous materials. You must be at least 25 to receive an endorsement for vehicle combinations over 70 feet in length. CDLs issued to applicants age 18 to 20 will contain Restriction R (no passengers or hazmat) and Restriction 2 (intrastate commerce only).

All applicants must complete a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved physical examination and present a completed Medical Examiner's Certificate. These cards are not available online. Please visit a DMV CDL Office. Ensure the expiration date is listed and legible.

You must list all states where you have held any commercial or non-commercial driver's license in the past ten years. We will check your driving history in each state for the past ten years.

Out-of-state CDLs can be transferred at DMV Full Service Offices if the driver has a current DOT physical card and meets the requirements listed in our New Resident Guide.

Current Nevada license holders who are filing only an updated physical exam may mail the FMCSA-649 to the nearest CDL Office or deliver it in-person at any CDL or Full Service Office.

First-time CDL applicants are encouraged to apply at a CDL office for answers to specific, technical questions. Experienced drivers may apply and take written tests at any CDL or Full Service Office. We do not make appointments for applications and written tests.

Drive tests are administered by appointment at CDL offices only. A number of larger companies and organizations employ third-party certifiers. The DMV also licenses a number of private Commercial Driving Schools.

School Buses
School bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license if they drive a vehicle designed to transport (seat) 16 or more persons, including the driver. School bus drivers must have a school bus endorsement (S) in addition to a passenger endorsement (P) on their commercial driver's license (CDL).

To get the school bus endorsement, you must pass a knowledge test and a skills test for the class of school bus you drive or intend to drive. For more information on school buses, see Appendix 1 of the CDL Handbook.

CDL Forms

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Commercial Driver License Handbook

Hazardous Materials Handbook

See also Commercial Driving Schools and Hazardous Materials Endorsements
Notice: The DMV is no longer printing paper copies of driver handbooks. They will be available only on the Internet once existing supplies are exhausted. Customers without Internet access should visit a public library.

Commercial Driver Application (CDL-02) - Legal Size
For an original Nevada CDL that is not issued at non-ASI offices. Must be submitted in person.

CDL Qualification of Drivers (CDL 043)
Lists requirements under federal law.

Driver's License or Identification Card Application (DMV 002)
For a license application under ASI.

Certification of Nevada Residency (DMV 005)
For meeting the proof of residential address requirements under ASI.

Homeowner Residency Affidavit (DMV 116)
For homeowners to certify a renter's resdience. Must be notarized.

Relief Agency or Shelter Certification (DMV 115)
For social service organizations to certify that a client is a resident of Nevada.

Application for Alternate Address (DMV 007)
For listing a fictitious address if the applicant is legally authorized to do so.

Physical Examination Form (FMCSA-649) - 9 pages
For Commercial Driver License US DOT exam requirements.
Current license holders who are filing only an updated physical may mail the form to the nearest CDL Office or deliver it in-person at any CDL or Full Service Office.

Nevada Commercial Driver Instruction Permit Affidavit (CDL-15)
Ensures permit holders are aware of certain restrictions.

CDL Certification for Waiver of Skills Tests (CDL-04)
For active-duty military members only.

Commercial Medical Waiver Application and Medical Evaluation (CDL-42)
To apply for a waiver of restrictions on certain medical conditions.

Notification of Conviction (CDL-05)
To notify the Department of out-of-state traffic violations.

Sample Application for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (OMB 1652)
To prepare for application by Internet or telephone

HME Application and Renewal General Information
A summary of the new hazardous materials endorsement requirements.

HME Industry Notice/Application Procedure
Steps involved in obtaining a hazmat endorsement.

HME Appeals and Waiver Information

Third Party Certifiers - Private Firms & Government Non-Firefighter

Third Party General Information Sheet (CDL-40)
Requirements for private firms to become a third party CDL certifier.

Third Party Certifier Application (CDL-28)
Must be completed by each individual who will be a third party CDL certifier.

Third Party Company Application (CDL-25)
To apply for or renew a firm's status as a third party CDL certifier.

Third Party Company Agreement (CDL-26)
Conditions third party CDL certifiers must adhere to.

CDL Third Party Change Notice (CDL-24)
To change address, drop certification or delete a certifier.

Third Party Certifiers - Driving Schools

Third Party School Application (CDL-30)
To apply for or renew a driving school's status as a third party CDL certifier.

Third Party School Agreement (CDL-29)
Conditions third party driving schools must adhere to.

Third Party School Certifier Application (CDL-31)
Must be completed by each individual who will be a third party certifier.

Third Party School Change Application (CDL-37)
To change road courses, delete a certifier or change business information.

Third Party Certifiers - Government Firefighters

Non-Commercial Class A/B Certification Program General Information (DLD-15)
Requirements for Fire Departments and similar agencies to become third-party certifiers.

Non-Commercial Class A/B Third Party Certifier Application (DLD-26)
Must be completed by each individual who will be a third party certifier.

Non-Commercial Class A/B Third Party Certifiers Change Notice (DLD-16)
To delete a certifier or department and to report a change of address or other information.

CDL Offices and Skills Testing

You must visit a CDL office to apply or take the tests for a commercial license or for certain non-commercial endorsements. We do not make appointments for applications or knowledge tests.

For general questions on commercial licensing, send an email or call one of our main numbers:

Las Vegas	(702) 486-4368
Reno/Carson City	(775) 684-4368
Rural Nevada (Toll Free)	(877) 368-7828
TDD for the hearing impaired	(775) 684-4904

Use the phone numbers below to schedule a driving skills test only. You must pass any required knowledge test before scheduling a skills test.

Street Address	City, State, Zip Code	Skills Test Telephone
555 Wright Way Get Map	Carson City, NV 89711	(775) 684-4861
3920 E. Idaho St. Get Map	Elko, NV 89801-4977	(775) 753-1126
178 N. Avenue F Get Map	Ely, NV 89301	(775) 289-1620
4110 Donovan Way Get Map	North Las Vegas, NV 89030	(702) 486-5655
810 E. Greg Street Get Map	Sparks, NV 89431	(775) 688-2535
1137 S. Main St. #C-8 Get Map	Tonopah, NV 89049-0511	(775) 482-6329
3505 Construction Way Get Map	Winnemucca, NV 89445-3155	(775) 623-6515

DUI Revocation/Suspension Rules

In the spring of 2009, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles went through a federal commercial driver’s license (CDL) audit. The auditors determined that the Department had been incorrectly applying credit for the number of days a person’s CDL was suspended in order to reduce a DUI conviction penalty period.

A commercial license has two parts: a commercial side (CDL) and a non-commercial side (NCDL). When a driver’s NCDL is revoked or suspended, the CDL is also affected. If he is convicted of a first DUI offense by the court, his NCDL will be revoked for 90 days and his CDL privilege will be suspended for at least one year.

Between the time when a person is arrested for a possible DUI and when he is convicted of DUI by a court of law, there may be a period of time when his license will be revoked. When the court convicts him of the DUI, the commercial side of his license must be suspended for at least one full year. The non-commercial side of his license must also be revoked. However, the number of days he already went without a license can be applied to the end of his non-commercial license penalty period. This would allow him to shorten his 90-day NCDL penalty period by the number of days he is credited. His CDL will still remain suspended for at least one full year.

For example, if a conviction is received for a CDL holder or any individual who was driving a commercial motor vehicle, his CDL will be suspended and his NCDL will be revoked. If the individual went without his license for, say, five weeks, that five weeks may be credited to his NCDL penalty period. He may apply for reinstatement of his NCDL five weeks sooner than the end of his 90-day penalty period. No credit will be applied to the 1-year CDL suspension.

REMINDER: According to federal regulation 49 CFR 383.51, upon receipt of the DUI conviction, the CDL will be suspended for one* full year (*three full years if carrying hazardous materials) for a first offense and for life upon a second or subsequent offense.

Legal References:
49 CFR 383.51
NRS 484.379
NRS 484.379778
NAC 483.8485