Delaware · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Delaware CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DelDOT) issues CDLs under the federal FMCSA framework. Applicants pass walk-in knowledge tests at any DMV facility, pay $5.00 for a Commercial Learner's Permit valid one year, hold it at least 14 days, then take the DMV-administered skills test by appointment. An 8-year CDL costs $55.00 ($30.00 for a 5-year CDL with hazmat, since hazmat licenses cannot run 8 years), and Delaware uniquely requires at least 1 year of driving experience (age 18 intrastate, 21 interstate/hazmat).
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Delaware?
Delaware licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Federal layer: ELDT since Feb 2022 for new Class A/B and P/S/H endorsements; DOT medical certificate; endorsements H, N, P, T, X, S (Delaware also has a state Z taxicab endorsement).
What licenses does Delaware issue?
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (Delaware Department of Transportation) 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: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (Delaware Department of Transportation) (dmv.de.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Delaware require?
CDL knowledge tests (General Knowledge minimum, plus class/endorsement tests). Administered by Delaware DMV (walk-in at any division facility).
CDL skills test (modernized format since Feb 26, 2025). Administered by Delaware DMV (by appointment; road tests every weekday except Wednesday); third-party CDL testing also authorized.
How much does a Delaware CDL truck driver license cost?
Getting a journeyman CDL truck driver license in Delaware costs $55 in board fees, before any training. That is 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. An exam is required and its fee is not in that figure, because no amount for it appears in the board material this page is built from. Check the board's current fee schedule before budgeting.
- Initial license fee$55
- Renewal fee (recurring)$55
Source: fee schedule (dmv.de.gov). Verified July 2026.
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: 8 years (5 years for CDL with hazmat endorsement, $30.00); renewal permitted only within 30 days before expiration; $10.00 late renewal fee
Continuing education: None required. Medical certification must be kept current; hazmat endorsement holders are limited to 5-year licenses with TSA re-vetting.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No apprenticeship pathway; required training is federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from an FMCSA-registered provider (performance-based, no hour minimum), which the DMV states prepares applicants for the modernized skills test.
How does Delaware 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | not published | Statewide |
| Maryland | not published | Statewide |
| New Jersey | not published | Statewide |
| Pennsylvania | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - Delaware DMV
- Fees - Delaware DMV
- Delaware Commercial Driver's Manual (Version 4.0, modernized)
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: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois.
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 Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (Delaware Department of Transportation) before making decisions. Not legal advice.