Tennessee · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Tennessee CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, Tennessee CDLs are issued by the Department of Safety & Homeland Security's Driver Services Division under the federal FMCSA framework. Licenses run on an 8-year cycle priced per year: a Class A CDL costs $70 total ($8/year x 8 + $6 application) and Class B/C costs $62 ($7/year x 8 + $6); learner permits are $14 (Class A) or $13 (Class B/C) for one year. Drivers can be licensed at 18 but are restricted to intrastate driving until 21, and all new applicants must complete federal ELDT.
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Tennessee?
Tennessee licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Minimum age 18; drivers under 21 are restricted to intrastate operation only. Endorsement fees: tanker/passenger/hazmat/doubles-triples $8.50 each ($2.50 + $6 application); school bus $26 ($20 + $6). Combination licenses with motorcycle: Class A + M $97, Class B/C + M $89. Duplicates: $8 first, $16 subsequent. Endorsements offered: H, N, P, S, T, X. Federal layer: ELDT since Feb 7, 2022; DOT medical certificate (required to be on file, e.g., for P/H holders); hazmat requires TSA check. No state-specific training-hour mandate.
What licenses does Tennessee issue?
The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services Division 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 |
| Commercial Learner Permit (PA/PB/PC) | not published | not published | Yes |
Source: Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services Division (tn.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Tennessee require?
CDL knowledge tests. Administered by TN Driver Services Centers.
CDL skills test (pre-trip, basic control, road). Administered by TN Driver Services Centers / approved testing locations.
How much does a Tennessee CDL truck driver license cost?
Tennessee 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 fee$6
- Initial license feeset per license class
- Renewal fee (recurring)set per license class
Source: fee schedule (tn.gov). Verified July 2026.
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: 8 years
Continuing education: None. DOT medical certificate must be kept current; hazmat endorsement requires TSA background check at each 5-year cycle.
How does the apprenticeship route work?
Not applicable, CDL is exam-based. Federal ELDT from an FMCSA-registered training provider is required for all new Class A/B applicants and first-time S/P/H endorsements; it is performance-based with no Tennessee-mandated hour minimums.
How does Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | not published | Statewide |
| Alabama | not published | Statewide |
| Arkansas | not published | Statewide |
| Georgia | not published | Statewide |
| Kentucky | not published | Statewide |
| Mississippi | not published | Statewide |
| Missouri | not published | Statewide |
| North Carolina | not published | Statewide |
| Virginia | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
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: Texas, Utah, Vermont.
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 Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Driver Services Division before making decisions. Not legal advice.