Michigan commercial licensing
Michigan CDL Requirements – Complete 2026 Guide
Use this Michigan guide to plan the commercial learner permit, state testing transaction, skills-test step, and final CDL around this cost detail: $25 for a first-time standard CDL; $5 for each group designation or endorsement; $18 when a corrected standard license is required
Verified Michigan data
Start with these Michigan commercial-license facts
Issuing authority
Michigan Department of State, Secretary of State
Commercial learner permit
Not separately itemized on the current official Secretary of State fee page; no standalone amount should be published without agency confirmation
First CDL
$25 for a first-time standard CDL; $5 for each group designation or endorsement; $18 when a corrected standard license is required
Credential term
Up to four years, expiring on the driver's birthday
Official fee structure
The Michigan CLP and license charges
| Stage | Published state information |
|---|---|
| Commercial learner permit | Not separately itemized on the current official Secretary of State fee page; no standalone amount should be published without agency confirmation |
| Initial commercial license | $25 for a first-time standard CDL; $5 for each group designation or endorsement; $18 when a corrected standard license is required |
| License term | Up to four years, expiring on the driver's birthday |
For Michigan, training, the medical examination, a TSA background check when required, vehicle access, and private testing are separate charges when applicable. The state-issued CDL itself is described here as: $25 for a first-time standard CDL; $5 for each group designation or endorsement; $18 when a corrected standard license is required
State workflow
From Michigan CLP application to skills test
- Complete the state transactionMichigan CDL skills tests are administered by approved Driver Testing Businesses. A failed knowledge test has a one-day retest wait, and passed skills-test results remain valid for one year.
- Choose the license classMatch Class A, B, or C to the vehicle and work you actually plan to perform.
- Bring the correct vehicleThe skills-test vehicle determines the class and restrictions printed on the final CDL, so arrange it before booking.
- Meet federal training rulesFirst-time Class A or B applicants and applicants adding certain endorsements must complete applicable ELDT with a provider listed in the federal Training Provider Registry.
Regional comparison
How the Michigan credential differs regionally
| State | CLP fee note | License term |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Not separately itemized on the current official Secretary of State fee page; no standalone amount should be published without agency confirmation | Up to four years, expiring on the driver's birthday |
| Ohio | $31.50 | Four or eight years, depending on the credential term selected and applicant eligibility. |
| Indiana | $17. | 4 years. |
| Wisconsin | $30 for a 180-day Class A, B, or C commercial learner permit. | An original CDL is aligned with the existing Wisconsin license; a renewed CDL is valid for 8 years. |
Local value
Commercial driving conditions that shape the Michigan plan
Michigan commercial driving connects highway freight with marine, rail, air, and pipeline networks. The state's industrial and intermodal traffic includes manufacturing supply chains, Great Lakes ports, and southeastern Michigan freight terminals.
Knowledge and endorsements
Which knowledge tests a Michigan applicant may need
Every applicant
Start with General Knowledge and the Michigan manual, then match your checklist to this checkpoint: Michigan CDL skills tests are administered by approved Driver Testing Businesses.
Passenger or school bus
Passenger Transport and School Bus tests apply to those operations. In Michigan, connect that study to Michigan commercial driving connects highway freight with marine, rail, air, and pipeline networks. The state's industrial and intermodal traffic includes manufacturing supply chains, Great Lakes ports, and southeastern Michigan freight terminals.
Class A combination
Study Combination Vehicles and Air Brakes for an air-brake-equipped vehicle. For this Michigan path, the CLP charge or transaction is: Not separately itemized on the current official Secretary of State fee page; no standalone amount should be published without agency confirmation
Tank or hazardous materials
Tanker or Hazmat applicants add the appropriate knowledge test and federal TSA process. The current Michigan license term is Up to four years, expiring on the driver's birthday; pair that with this CLP note before booking: Not separately itemized on the current official Secretary of State fee page; no standalone amount should be published without agency confirmation
State Q&A
Michigan permit and fee answers
Before this Michigan step – Michigan CDL skills tests are administered by approved Driver Testing Businesses – what CLP charge is published?
Not separately itemized on the current official Secretary of State fee page; no standalone amount should be published without agency confirmation
What role does Michigan Department of State, Secretary of State play when michigan cdl skills tests are administered by approved driver testing businesses?
Michigan Department of State, Secretary of State is the issuing authority for the commercial-license transaction. Use the official links here to confirm where to apply, where to test, and how this fee note applies before you go: Not separately itemized on the current official Secretary of State fee page; no standalone amount should be published without agency confirmation
Does a Michigan Secretary of State office administer the CDL skills test?
No. Applicants take the skills test through an approved Driver Testing Business and then return to a Secretary of State office to complete CDL issuance.
How should I read the Michigan credential term 'Up to four years, expiring on the driver's birthday' alongside this rule: Michigan CDL skills tests are administered by approved Driver Testing Businesses?
Up to four years, expiring on the driver's birthday
How should a Michigan applicant plan around this local fact: Michigan commercial driving connects highway freight with marine, rail, air, and pipeline networks?
Michigan commercial driving connects highway freight with marine, rail, air, and pipeline networks. The state's industrial and intermodal traffic includes manufacturing supply chains, Great Lakes ports, and southeastern Michigan freight terminals.
After the Michigan CLP stage, how is the first CDL priced under this rule: $25 for a first-time standard CDL; $5 for each group designation or endorsement; $18 when a corrected standard license is required?
$25 for a first-time standard CDL; $5 for each group designation or endorsement; $18 when a corrected standard license is required
Official verification
Michigan Department of State, Secretary of State application and manual links
These government pages were checked on August 22, 2026. For Michigan, use them to recheck the published CLP note (Not separately itemized on the current official Secretary of State fee page; no standalone amount should be published without agency confirmation), the final credential cost, and the license term before paying or scheduling.
