Arizona commercial driver guide
Arizona CDL Requirements – Complete Guide (2026)
An Arizona commercial driver’s license is required for qualifying heavy vehicles, buses, and vehicles carrying placarded hazardous materials. Arizona follows federal CDL standards, but Arizona MVD controls the application, document review, testing locations, fees, and license issuance. This guide explains the Arizona process without treating every applicant as if they need the same class or endorsements.
Arizona CDL basics
What is a CDL in Arizona?
A CDL is the Arizona MVD credential that authorizes a qualified driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle covered by Class A, B, or C standards. It is separate from a regular Class D license and is tied to the vehicle’s weight rating, passenger capacity, or hazardous-material use.
Arizona MVD issues the credential and administers CDL knowledge tests at MVD offices. Road and skills tests are offered at designated CDL offices and through MVD-certified public or private testers. The class, endorsements, and test vehicle matter because testing in a vehicle without the equipment or configuration you intend to drive can place restrictions on the final CDL.
Official study source
Arizona CDL manual summary
The official Arizona Commercial Driver License Manual is the source to study before testing. Start with Section 1 for the CDL program, license classes, endorsements, disqualifications, and application rules. Then match the remaining chapters to the vehicle and endorsements you plan to operate.
Do not study only a generic national question list. Arizona says all applicable knowledge tests are taken during the same MVD visit, so identify the complete test set for your class and endorsements before test day.
Eligibility and documents
Arizona CDL requirements
- Arizona residence: Arizona must be your state of domicile. After moving to Arizona, you have 30 days to transfer your CDL and must surrender previous license credentials.
- Existing driver license and experience: Convert an out-of-state driver license to Arizona before starting. Arizona license records normally provide proof of one year of driving experience; certain out-of-state applicants need an official, recent motor vehicle record.
- Age: The minimum is 18. Applicants under 21 receive an intrastate-only CDL and cannot transport hazardous materials.
- Documents: Bring approved proof of authorized presence, two Arizona residence-address proofs, and your Social Security number.
- Medical qualification: Complete a physical with a medical examiner listed on FMCSA’s National Registry. The medical certificate generally must be renewed every 24 months or sooner when required.
- Intrastate medical path: A driver restricted to Arizona-only operation with a K restriction must continue submitting the paper Medical Examiner’s Certificate and long form for MVD review.
- ELDT: Training from an FMCSA-registered provider is required for a first Class A or B CDL, a Class B-to-A upgrade, or a first P, S, or H endorsement.
Medical timing: Arizona says the certified examiner submits results electronically. Allow at least 24 hours and check the medical status in AZ MVD Now before visiting an office.
Choose the correct vehicle group
CDL classes A, B, and C in Arizona
| Arizona CDL class | Vehicle threshold | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | A combination with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more when the towed unit exceeds 10,000 pounds. | Tractor-trailers, truck-and-trailer combinations, and certain heavy combination vehicles. |
| Class B | A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or that vehicle towing 10,000 pounds or less. | Straight trucks, large buses, dump trucks, and heavy single vehicles. |
| Class C | A vehicle not meeting A or B thresholds that carries 16 or more people including the driver, or requires hazardous-material placards. | Smaller passenger vehicles, school buses, and placarded hazmat vehicles. |
Endorsements expand what the class permits: T for doubles/triples, N for tank vehicles, P for passengers, S for school buses, H for hazardous materials, and X for tank plus hazardous materials. Passenger and school-bus credentials require skills testing as well as knowledge testing. First-time P, S, and H applicants are also subject to applicable ELDT.
Current MVD charges
Arizona CDL cost and fees
These are the current Arizona MVD charges shown for common CDL transactions. Training-provider, third-party tester, TSA hazardous-material background-check, and vehicle-rental costs can be separate.
| Transaction | Arizona MVD fee |
|---|---|
| New or transferred Class A or B CDL | $25 |
| New or transferred Class C CDL | $12.50; must include passenger or hazardous-material authority as applicable |
| Class A or B CLP without endorsements | $25 |
| Class C CLP | $12.50; must include P, and HME is not allowed on a Class C permit |
| Duplicate CLP | $2 |
| T, N, H, or P endorsement | $10 each |
| School bus endorsement | No MVD endorsement fee |
| Class A or B skills test | $25 |
| Class C skills test | $12.50 |
| Passenger or school-bus skills test added to an existing CDL | $5 |
Arizona lists renewal at $15 for Class A or B and $10 for Class C, or $25 when issued as a Travel ID. Verify the live MVD fee page before paying because the total depends on class, endorsements, restrictions, testing provider, and transaction type.
Knowledge and skills testing
Arizona CDL test format
Knowledge tests
- Arizona MVD knowledge-testing hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- All knowledge tests needed for the selected class and endorsements are taken during the same visit.
- Each knowledge test requires at least 80% to pass.
- After a failed knowledge test, the next attempt is on the next business day.
- Electronic devices and anyone other than the applicant are prohibited in the testing area.
Arizona’s current public CDL application page does not publish one universal question count for every CDL path. The number and mix depend on the class, brake system, and endorsements selected, so use the official manual and prepare for every applicable test rather than relying on one unofficial number.
Skills test
After holding the CLP for at least 14 days and completing applicable ELDT, take the three-part skills test: vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. Bring a representative vehicle for the class and endorsements sought. Passenger and school-bus applicants must test in the size of bus they intend to operate, and testing in an automatic or limited-equipment vehicle can place restrictions on the CDL.
Application path
How to get an Arizona commercial driver’s license
Official resources
Arizona CDL sources to verify before applying
Arizona CDL FAQ
Arizona commercial driver’s license questions
How do I get a CDL in Arizona?
Choose Class A, B, or C and the needed endorsements, meet Arizona document and medical requirements, pass all applicable knowledge tests to receive a CLP, complete required ELDT, hold the CLP at least 14 days, and pass the three-part skills test.
What are the Arizona CDL requirements?
You must be an Arizona resident, be at least 18, provide authorized-presence proof, two residence-address proofs and your Social Security number, meet driving-history and medical requirements, and pass the knowledge and skills tests for your class. Drivers under 21 are limited to intrastate operation and cannot transport hazardous materials.
Where can I get the Arizona CDL manual?
Download the official Arizona Commercial Driver License Manual from Arizona MVD. It covers license classes, endorsements, inspections, safe operation, and the standard and modernized skills-test procedures.
Which Arizona CDL class do I need?
Class A covers qualifying heavy combinations with a towed unit over 10,000 pounds. Class B covers qualifying heavy single vehicles and limited towing. Class C covers certain passenger or placarded hazardous-material vehicles that do not meet A or B thresholds.
How much does an Arizona CDL cost?
Arizona MVD lists $25 for a new or transferred Class A or B CDL and $12.50 for Class C. CLPs use the same base amounts. Endorsements and skills tests can add separate charges, and training, TSA, third-party testing, or vehicle costs are not included.
What is the Arizona CDL test passing score?
Arizona requires at least 80% on every applicable knowledge test. If you fail, Arizona requires waiting until the next business day before another attempt.
How old do you have to be for a CDL license in Arizona?
The minimum age is 18. Until age 21, the CDL is restricted to intrastate Arizona operation and cannot authorize hazardous-material transportation.
How long is an Arizona commercial learner permit valid?
An Arizona CLP is valid for a maximum of 12 months. You must hold it at least 14 days and complete applicable ELDT before the CDL skills test.
