Alaska · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Alaska CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, Alaska CDLs are issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles (Department of Administration). Applicants must be Alaska residents, obtain a commercial instruction permit ($15), hold it at least 14 days, complete ELDT if first-time applicants, and pass a commercial road test ($25 test fee) within 180 days of permit issuance; the CDL itself costs $100 (standard) or $120 (REAL ID compliant). Minimum age is 18 for intrastate driving and 21 for interstate driving, hazmat, or school bus.
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Alaska?
Alaska licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Federal layer: ELDT (FMCSA-registered provider) for first-time Class A/B and first-time H/P/S endorsements; DOT medical certificate; endorsements H/N/T/P/S/X (hazmat requires TSA check). Alaska specifics: state add-on knowledge test (Alaska general knowledge) in addition to CDL general knowledge; CLP road test must be completed within 180 days (one extension); new residents must convert to an Alaska CDL within 30 days (seasonal workers may keep home-state CDL); rural 'off the road system' exemptions exist. Knowledge-test fee is not separately itemized on the official fee page.
What licenses does Alaska issue?
The State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles issues the credentials below for this trade. Boards often list further classes for specialties and business licenses; these are the ones this page covers.
Hours are what each class asks for on its own terms. Where a senior class shows fewer than a journeyman, the board is counting time served after the earlier license rather than from the start; the prerequisite column says which.
| License | On-the-job hours | Classroom hours | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class B CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
| Class C CDL | not published | not published | Yes |
Source: State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.alaska.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Alaska require?
CDL knowledge tests (Alaska + CDL general knowledge, minimum passing score 80%; plus combination, air brake, and endorsement tests as applicable). Administered by Alaska DMV.
Commercial road (skills) test in a representative vehicle. Administered by Alaska DMV. Exam fee $25.
How much does an Alaska CDL truck driver license cost?
Alaska sets its fees per license class rather than as one figure for the trade, so no single total would be true of every applicant. The published items are below exactly as the board sets them.
- Application feeset per license class
- Exam fee$25
- Initial license fee$100
- Renewal fee (recurring)$100
Source: fee schedule (dmv.alaska.gov). Verified July 2026.
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Continuing education: None; DOT medical certificate must be kept current unless exempt (rural/off-road-system drivers may qualify for waivers under the Guide to Rural Driving).
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No apprenticeship requirement. First-time CDL applicants must complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider (performance-based, no state hour minimum). Veterans may qualify for a road-skills-test waiver.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- Alaska DMV - Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
- Alaska DMV - Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)
- Alaska DMV - License Fees
Last verified July 2026. Found an error? Report it and it will be corrected and logged on the corrections page.
Other states with published requirements for this trade: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia.
Price the whole path with the license cost estimator, or weigh earning against paying for school with the apprenticeship comparison. Back to CDL truck drivers overview.
Licensing requirements change between our verification sweeps. This page is informational only, so confirm current requirements with State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles before making decisions. Not legal advice.