Virginia · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Virginia CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, Virginia issues CDLs through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles under the federal FMCSA framework. Applicants must be 18 for intrastate driving (a 'K' restriction limits under-21 drivers to Virginia only) and 21 for interstate driving, obtain a $3 commercial learner's permit held at least 14 days, complete ELDT, and pass vision, knowledge, and a three-part road skills test. A standard CDL costs $64 and is valid for 8 years, with endorsements at $1 per year.
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Virginia?
Virginia licenses CDL truck drivers statewide, so one credential is valid across the whole state.
Federal layer (applies in all states): ELDT from an FMCSA-registered provider required since Feb 7, 2022 for first-time Class A/B applicants, class upgrades, and H/P/S endorsements; DOT medical examiner's certificate; endorsements H (hazmat, TSA check), N (tanker), T (doubles/triples), P (passenger), S (school bus). Virginia specifics: CLP is only $3 (among the cheapest in the US) and CDL is $64/8 years ($8 per year); endorsements $1 per year; ELDT completion must be verified before the hazmat knowledge exam or Class A/B road skills test; males under 26 must consent to Selective Service registration or the CDL is denied; you may not hold both a Virginia CDL and a Virginia photo ID card; licenses are mailed only. CDLs transfer among states under the federal single-license (CDLIS) rule rather than formal reciprocity agreements.
What licenses does Virginia issue?
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) | not published | not published | Yes |
| 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: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (dmv.virginia.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Virginia require?
CDL knowledge exams (general + class/endorsement-specific). Administered by Virginia DMV customer service centers.
CDL road skills test (vehicle inspection, basic control, road test). Administered by Virginia DMV / DMV-authorized third-party testers.
How much does a Virginia CDL truck driver license cost?
Getting a journeyman CDL truck driver license in Virginia costs $67 in board fees, before any training. That is the application 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. 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.
- Application fee$3
- Initial license fee$64
- Renewal fee (recurring)$64
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: 8 years (expires on the licensee's birthday; 5 years for persons on the sex offender registry)
Continuing education: None required by the state. DOT medical certification must be kept current per federal rules; hazmat (H) endorsement requires a TSA security threat assessment every 5 years ($83 non-refundable, or $41 with TWIC comparability).
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No apprenticeship is required or credited toward licensure. Training is via an FMCSA-registered ELDT provider (performance-based; no state-mandated hour minimum).
How does Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | not published | Statewide |
| Kentucky | not published | Statewide |
| Maryland | not published | Statewide |
| North Carolina | not published | Statewide |
| Tennessee | not published | Statewide |
| West Virginia | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- Virginia DMV - Apply for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or Commercial Learner's Permit
- Virginia DMV - Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL)
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: Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
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 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before making decisions. Not legal advice.