To apply for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Oregon
, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Oregon driver’s license, and meet various physical and educational requirements. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers What is required for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Oregon?
Driving a commercial truck is complex, and it stands to reason that the licensing requirements are complicated as well! You’ll need a valid Oregon driver’s license
and a clean driving record
, and you need to be at least 18 years old (21 for interstate driving). But that’s just to get started. Precise requirements vary according to the class of CDL you’re applying for, the kind of driving you’re doing, and the endorsements you may need.
Oregon CDL classes
There are three types of CDLs in Oregon: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Here are the distinctions between them:
Class A: A combination vehicle towing a unit or units over 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Class B: A single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) over 26,000 pounds
Class C: A vehicle designed to carry more than 16 people (including the driver) or a vehicle that requires a hazardous materials placard or is transporting a toxin or select agent
Endorsements
Many variables are at play when it comes to CDLs, and you may need a specific endorsement for the kind of driving you intend to do. Oregon has an alphabet soup of CDL Endorsements
: P: You may drive a Class C passenger vehicle designed to carry 16 or more people, or a Class A or B vehicle designed to transport persons in commerce.
S: You may drive any school bus
N: You may drive any tank vehicle.
N: No Class A or B passenger commercial motor vehicle
E: Automatic transmission commercial motor vehicle
M: No Class A passenger commercial motor vehicle
K: Commercial Motor Vehicle Intrastate Only
P: No Passengers in commercial motor vehicle bus (commercial learner permit only)
V: Federal medical variance
X: No cargo in tank commercial motor vehicle (commercial learner permit only)
Z: No full-air brake commercial motor vehicle
Some of these endorsements (like the hazmat ones) may have additional testing and requirements. And you’re not seeing double—the Oregon DMV’s site seems to use the same codes for more than one kind of endorsement, which is a tad confusing.
Minimum age requirement
If you are driving between states (interstate) or transporting hazardous materials, you have to be 21 years of age. But if you are only driving within Oregon state lines (intrastate) with no hazardous cargo, the minimum age is 18.
Medical requirements
Oregon also has medical requirements you must meet to get your CDL. Here are the basic parameters:
Blood pressure of 160/100 or better, blood pressure medication is permitted
Blood sugar under 200 controlled without insulin injections
Ability to distinguish colors found on traffic signals
Ability to hear a forced whisper from at least five feet away
No use of Schedule 1 drugs, amphetamines, narcotics, or any habit-forming drugs
You’ll need to get and maintain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate and present it to the Oregon DMV as part of the licensing process.
New ELDT requirements
No matter what state you’re in, you’re going to need to meet the new federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Under these new requirements, you need to meet the criteria for Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)
. To do this, you’ll need to find an approved training provider via the FMCSA registry
, and complete the training before you move on to any testing. How to apply for a CDL in Oregon
To start with, you’ll need a current Oregon driver’s license and a driving record that’s free of major violations.
Things that will automatically disqualify you for an Oregon CDL include DUI convictions
, having your license suspended
for refusal to take a breath or blood alcohol test, or any convictions that involve the manufacturing or distributing of controlled substances. If you are disqualified, you can reapply after 10 years and may be allowed to continue at the DMV’s discretion depending on your completion of any voluntary rehabilitation.
So if all of that’s in order, then you can apply for your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Here’s what you’ll need:
Your valid Oregon Driver’s license
Proof of your legal name and identity, date of birth, residence, and lawful status in the U.S.
Your Social Security number
A valid Medical Examiner's Certificate or a federal exemption and/or Skills Performance Evaluation or state medical waiver (if applicable)
You’ll also need to have completed any requirements for any endorsements you’ll need, and you’ll need to pass:
The CDL General Knowledge Test (offered in English only)
The Combination Vehicle Knowledge Test (Class A only)
The air brake knowledge test (if applicable)
The fee for a Commercial Learner’s Permit is $23. This is a lot of information, so study your Oregon Commercial Driver Manual
well! Your CLP will be good for a year. Some sources report that you need to have your CLP for at least 14 days before you can move on, but according to the Oregon DMV, you need a year of experience first.
If you successfully get your CLP and are ready to move on to the big leagues, you’ll have to jump through a lot of the same hoops as you did with your permit. You’ll need to present all of your documentation and medical certification again, and pass another vision test. The fee for an Oregon CDL is $61.
Start your application
online, where you will need to indicate that you have at least a year of driving experience. You’ll need to schedule your CDL Skills Test, which approved third parties offer. If you’re getting any endorsements, then there may be additional testing as well. Again, your Oregon Commercial Driver Manual will be your best buddy here.
The CDL skills test consists of three parts:
Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: complete a pre-trip inspection and explain what you should inspect and why
Basic Control Skills: you’ll need to complete backing exercises to demonstrate the control of your vehicle
On-Road Driving Test: the examiner will test your ability in several real-world scenarios, including turns, intersections, highways, and more
Once you’ve done all that, you’ll have your Oregon CDL.
How long is a CDL valid in Oregon?
After you’ve successfully earned your CDL, it’s valid for eight years. This varies for different endorsements, though, so make sure you know the details about yours! When it’s time to renew your Oregon CDL, the fee is $75, plus anything extra that may be needed for endorsements.
MORE: How to check for Oregon road closures
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