Whether you want to drive a school bus, a semi-trailer, or a recycling truck, you have to have a commercial driver’s license to do it in Arkansas. Obtaining your CDL in Arkansas can be a complex process, but the requirements are pretty simple. If you’re in decent physical condition, can pass a few exams, and can prove your Arkansas residency, you should be good.

Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds

No spam · No long forms · No fees

Find insurance savings

What is required for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Arkansas?

Getting your Arkansas CDL is a bit more complex than getting your standard license.

To qualify, you’ll need to meet the age requirements, have held an

Arkansas driver’s license

for over a year, have a

clean driving record

, provide proof of citizenship, and pass a few tests—but that’s just a basic overview.

The specific checklist you’ll have to follow depends on the class of CDL you’re looking to get.

Arkansas CDL classes

Arkansas has three classes of CDL: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Here is what each of those entails:

Class A: Any vehicle(s) whose Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is 26,001 pounds or more. The trailer(s) have to be at least 10,000 pounds.

Class B: Any vehicle with a GVWR over 26,001 pounds but with a trailer weighing less than 10,000 pounds

Class C: Any vehicle designed to either carry 16+ passengers or used to transport hazardous materials (and doesn’t fit the bill for a Class A or B vehicle)

These classes operate on a tiered system.

With a Class A CDL, you can operate any vehicle classified as Class B or C automatically. With a Class B CDL, you can operate a Class C vehicle but not a Class A vehicle.

Vehicles like multi-trailer semi-trucks and livestock carriers will require a Class A CDL to drive, while a school bus, delivery truck, or garbage truck requires a Class B CDL. Large passenger vans or small HAZMAT trucks need a Class C CDL.

MORE:

How to replace a lost Arkansas license

Endorsements

Your license class dictates what vehicles you’re allowed to drive with your CDL, but endorsements determine the type of cargo you can carry. In Arkansas, there are six types of endorsements:

H: for transportation of hazardous materials

N: for tank vehicles

S: for school buses

P: for passenger vehicles

X: for transportation of hazardous materials in a tank vehicle

T: for towing two or three trailers over a specific weight

Some classes of CDL only allow certain endorsements. Additionally, if you want to get an S endorsement, you can only do so with a P endorsement.

Minimum age requirement

If you’re planning to drive only within the state (referred to as intrastate commercial driving), you can get a CDL at 18 years old. To drive across state lines (or interstate), however, you must be 21 years or older.

MORE:

Arkansas learner's permit

Medical requirements

To get your CDL in Arkansas, you have to pass a comprehensive medical exam, covering everything from hearing requirements to blood pressure. Here are some of the specifications:

Can hear a forced whisper voice from five feet away

No hearing loss of more than 40 decibels

At least 20/40 vision

Ability to recognize colors of traffic signals and other devices

Blood pressure 140/90 or better

All CDL holders in Arkansas must provide a valid medical examiner’s certificate to their local State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA).

MORE:

Red light cameras in Arkansas

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements

As of February 2022, all drivers wishing to obtain a CDL in Arkansas for the first time—or upgrade to a higher class—are required to complete

Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)

from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

You’ll have to find a provider from the

FMCSA registry

and complete the training before you can take the written test.

Jerry Rating

Jerry Rating

Jerry Rating

Jerry Rating

How to apply for a CDL in Arkansas

Before you’re eligible for a CDL in Arkansas, you’ll have to get your Conditional Learner's Permit (CPL) first. In addition to the medical exam and ELDT course, you’ll also need to do the following

Submit a

driving record

and background check (including everywhere you’ve lived for the last 10 years)

Provide proof of citizenship or legal residence

Provide

proof of your Arkansas address

Present a completed

Arkansas Self-Certification Affidavit

When you have everything in order, you can head to your

local Revenue Office

to apply and pay the $50 exam fee. You’ll then schedule your written test, which will cover the content of the

Arkansas Commercial Driver License Manual

Your CPL is valid for up to a year after it’s issued. You can practice driving commercial vehicles in the state as long as you’re accompanied by a driver with a valid CDL. You’ll need to hold your CPL for at least 14 days before you

schedule your skills test

, which is only offered in the following locations:

Little Rock

Newport

Russellville

Hope

Harrison

Lowell

The skills test in Arkansas consists of three phases: an inspection, a closed-course driving test, and a road skills test on the road. You’ll have to provide a vehicle in the specific class you’re testing for. Here’s what you can expect to be tested over:

Straight line backing

Offset back/right

Offset back/left

Parallel parking (both sides)

Alley docking

Lane changes

Expressways

Turns

Intersections

Curves

Railroad crossings

Stop/starts

Bridge/overpass

Brake usage

Steering

Turn signals

If you’re looking to obtain or renew a Class A CDL, you’ll also have to pass a

Human Trafficking Prevention Course

. When you’ve jumped through all the hoops, just pay the $42 CDL fee and you’ll be ready to roll!

How long is a CDL valid in Arkansas?

Your Arkansas CDL will be valid for four to eight years depending on your specific license. Set up an appointment at your local revenue office to renew and review the requirements for your specific Arkansas CDL within a month of its expiration.

RECOMMENDED