Wisconsin · CDL truck driver licensing · verified July 2026
Wisconsin CDL truck driver license requirements
The short answer
As of July 2026, Wisconsin issues CDLs through the Wisconsin DMV (Department of Transportation). Applicants need a Class D license, a $30 commercial learner's permit (valid 180 days, held at least 14 days), ELDT for first-time Class A/B applicants, and a skills test capped at $150 through third-party examiners. An original or renewed Class A/B/C license costs $74 and runs on an 8-year cycle; drivers under 21 are federally limited to intrastate operation (Tiers 3/4).
Do you need a license to work as a CDL truck driver in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin 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 H/P/S endorsement applicants; DOT medical certificate; endorsements H/N/T/P/S plus Wisconsin's state-specific F (restricted farm service) endorsement. Wisconsin specifics: WI defines CMV classes at 'over 26,000 lbs' including actual or registered weight (slightly broader than the federal 26,001 GVWR trigger); class upgrades $15, endorsement upgrades $5 each plus $10 issuance; removing an intrastate-only or air-brake restriction costs $14; per form MV3230, under-21 drivers may not certify interstate tiers (federal rule) and intrastate-only drivers carry a license restriction. Minimum age 18 for a CLP (21 for interstate). CDLs transfer among states under the federal single-license rule rather than formal reciprocity agreements.
What licenses does Wisconsin issue?
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (wisconsindot.gov). Verified July 2026.
What exam does Wisconsin require?
CDL knowledge tests (general + class/endorsement-specific). Administered by Wisconsin DMV service centers.
CDL skills test (vehicle inspection, basic control skills, road test). Administered by WisDOT-certified third-party testers/examiners.
How much does a Wisconsin CDL truck driver license cost?
Wisconsin 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$30
- Exam feeset per license class
- Initial license fee$74
- Renewal fee (recurring)$74
Source: fee schedule (wisconsindot.gov). Verified July 2026.
How often do you renew, and what continuing education is required?
Renewal period: 8 years (renewal $74, includes Class D)
Continuing education: None required by the state. Federal medical card must be kept current per certified tier (WI Trans 327 requires filing it with DMV for non-excepted drivers); hazmat endorsement requires a TSA background check ($67.25, or $57.25 in conjunction with a CDL renewal).
How does the apprenticeship route work?
No apprenticeship is required or credited toward licensure. First-time Class A/B applicants complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider; drivers licensed before Feb 7, 2022 are exempt.
How does Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | not published | Statewide |
| Illinois | not published | Statewide |
| Iowa | not published | Statewide |
| Michigan | not published | Statewide |
| Minnesota | not published | Statewide |
Source: state licensing boards. Verified July 2026.
Sources and verification
Every fact on this page traces to one of these
- Wisconsin DMV - Requirement to obtain a CDL
- Wisconsin DMV - Fees (driver service fees)
- Wisconsin DOT Form MV3230 - Commercial Driver Certification: Tier of Operation
- Wisconsin DMV - CDL third party testing program
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: Wyoming, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona.
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 Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles before making decisions. Not legal advice.