Connecticut · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Connecticut CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, The Connecticut DMV issues CDLs under the federal FMCSA framework. Applicants pass the $16 general knowledge test (plus $5 per endorsement test) to get a $20 Commercial Learner's Permit valid for one year, complete ELDT, then pass the $30 skills test administered by CT DMV. A new CDL costs $70 and renews every 4 years for $70.
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Connecticut?
Connecticut licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Federal layer: ELDT since Feb 2022; DOT medical certificate; endorsements H (TSA check), N, T, P, S, X. Connecticut specifics: fee schedule, general knowledge test $16, endorsement tests $5 each, skills test $30, CLP $20, new CDL $70, duplicate $30, upgrade $22, 4-year renewal $70, late fee $25; CLP valid one year (retake all tests if it lapses); minimum age 18 intrastate, 21 for interstate or hazmat; medical certificates accepted only electronically via the FMCSA National Registry since June 16, 2025; FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse registration mandatory since Oct 21, 2024; school bus operators may qualify for fee waivers with employer documentation; military skills-test waiver available; non-domiciled CDL/CLP restrictions per FMCSA final rule. Reciprocity: CDLs are nationally recognized under the federal framework; out-of-state CDL holders transfer without retesting.
What licenses does Connecticut issue?
The Connecticut Department 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: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (portal.ct.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Connecticut require?
CDL general knowledge test (50 questions, 40 correct to pass). Administered by Connecticut DMV (by appointment only). Exam fee $16.
Endorsement knowledge tests (air brakes, combination, passenger, school bus, etc.). Administered by Connecticut DMV.
CDL skills (road) test. Administered by Connecticut DMV. Exam fee $30.
How much does a Connecticut CDL truck driver license cost?
Getting a journeyman CDL truck driver license in Connecticut costs $86 in board fees, before any training. That is the exam fee and the initial license fee charged once, with renewal charged separately below. No board publishes this total, so it is added up here from the schedule it does publish.
- Exam fee$16
- Initial license fee$70
- Renewal fee (recurring)$70
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: 4 years ($25 late fee applies to late renewals)
Continuing education: None required. Medical examiner's certificate must be kept current (valid up to 2 years) and hazmat endorsement requires TSA re-checks.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No apprenticeship pathway; required training is federal ELDT (theory component requires 80%+ score; behind-the-wheel is performance-based with no minimum hours) from an FMCSA-registered provider, required for first-time Class A/B and P, S, H endorsements.
How does Connecticut compare to neighboring states?
Requirements stop at the state line, which matters if you live near one or expect to move. Here is what the neighboring states ask of the same trade.
| State | Journeyman hours | Licensing model |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | not published | Statewide |
| Massachusetts | not published | Statewide |
| New York | not published | Statewide |
| Rhode Island | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- Get a commercial driver's license - CT.gov DMV
- How to get a commercial learner's permit in CT - CT.gov DMV
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: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho.
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 Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles before making decisions. Not legal advice.