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Welcome - today is Saturday, March 25, 2023 - our CDL Package is guaranteed current for the next 90 days.

Mississippi CDL (commercial driver's license) contact:

M/Sgt. Ray Steed, CDL Coordinator
rsteed@dps.ms.gov
(601) 987-1334

Mississippi CDL (commercial driver's license) Fees

• Commercial (CDL) Original/Renewal Class D $29.00
• CDL Application Fee $25.00
• CDL Learner's Permit - valid 6 months $16.00
• CDL - 17 Years Old $44.00
• CDL Restriction "U" - Farm Waiver $9.00
• CDL S - School Bus $26.00
• CDL Drivers License $44.00
• CDL Endorsement $5.00
• Haz Mat Endorsement $5.00
• Tanker Endorsement $5.00
• Doubles/Triples Endorsement $5.00
• Passenger Endorsement $5.00
• School Bus Endorsement (S) $5.00
• Hazardous Materials Background $63.00

Ready to Schedule Your Mississippi CDL Road Test?

You may schedule your Mississippi CDL road test on line or by phone. Your road test must be scheduled 2 days in advance. Make sure that you are ready for your Mississippi CDL road test before you schedule the appointment.

To make your Mississippi CDL road test appointment, you MUST have:

• A valid Mississippi license and a valid Mississippi CDL learner's permit. (Your permit must be for the class type for which you are scheduling your road test).

Once you have made your Mississippi CDL road test appointment be advised of the following information:

• If you do not show up for the appointment you have scheduled you will have to wait 2 weeks before you are able to schedule another appointment.
• You must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. If you are over 15 minutes late for your appointment it will be cancelled and you must re-schedule.
• If you need to re-schedule your appointment you may go on line or call the DL station where your test is scheduled to cancel the existing road test date and re-schedule at least 48 hours before your appointment date.
• If you are within 48 hours of your scheduled road test you must call the DL station where your test is scheduled in order to cancel the road test.
• Road tests are subject to cancellation by the Department of Public Safety due to inclement weather, staffing resources or any other unforeseen circumstances.

On the day of your Mississippi CDL road test:

• Be on time. If you are late your road test will be cancelled.
• Bring your Mississippi CDL learner's permit and the application you filled out upon applying for your permit.
• Bring your valid medical card.
• Bring a person with you that has the same class of license or greater in which you are applying for.
• Make sure that the vehicle you bring for the test meets the criteria for the class of license in which you are applying for and is able to pass inspection.
• Bring the proper fees that are required to obtain the commercial license upon successfully completing the road test.

If you fail to bring the information listed above, your Mississippi CDL road test will be cancelled!

Mississippi CDL Written Knowledge Tests
You will need to pass the Mississippi Knowledge Tests that are required for the class of license, restriction, and endorsements you wish to possess. A general knowledge test for the Class A or Class B and C license must be successfully completed by all CDL applicants. The information needed to pass these tests is contained in the FREE Mississippi CDL Handbook. Please read and study this manual carefully.

• Class A - 70 Questions (50 GK + 20 Combination Vehicles) - Skills test required.
• Class B - 50 Questions - Skills test required.
• Class C - 50 Questions - Skills test required for bus, school bus and air brakes vehicles..
• Passenger Endorsement - 20 questions - Skills test required in bus.
• School Bus Endorsement - 25 questions - Skills test required in school bus.
• Doubles/Triples Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Tank Vehicle Endorsement - 20 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Hazardous Materials Endorsement - 30 questions - No additional skills tests.
• Air Brake Restriction Removal - 25 questions - Additional skills test in vehicle with Air Brakes.

Classes of Mississippi CDL and Required Tests

CDL Class	Tests Required	Possible Endorsements and Required Tests
Class A (Combination vehicle endorsement required)	General Knowledge Written Exam Combination Endorsement Written Exam Road Exam	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam T - Doubles/Triples Written Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam
Class B	General Knowledge Written Exam Road Exam	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam
Class C	General Knowledge Written Exam Road Exam Note: If upgrading to a Class C from a Class D, no road test is required UNLESS the endorsement requires one.	H - Hazardous Materials Written Exam N - Tank Vehicles Written Exam P - Passenger Transport Written and Road Exam X - HazMat and Tank Vehicles Written Exam L - Air Brakes Written and Road Exam S - School Bus Written and Road Exam

Mississippi CDL Endorsements

Exam	Time Allowed (Minutes)	# of Questions on Exam	# of Correct Answers Needed to Pass
General Knowledge	60	50	40
Air Brakes	25	25	20
HazMat	30	30	24
Tank	20	20	16
Passenger	20	20	16
Doubles/Triples	20	20	16
Combination Vehicles	20	20	16
School Bus	20	20	16

What is a CDL?
A "CDL" is a Commercial Drivers License. It meets certain minimum "standards" that are the same for every state. It differs from the Mississippi "operator's" or "chauffeur's" licenses. It is required if you drive certain kinds of commercial trucks or buses.

What is the COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT OF 1986 (CMVSA/86) administered by the FMCSA?
It is a law passed by the United States Congress which requires ALL the individual states to comply with certain standards in regards to the licensing of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Mississippi driver licensing standards comply with the law, requiring CMV drivers to obtain a Mississippi Commercial Driver's License (CDL) when driving applicable trucks and buses. A CDL license can ONLY be issued in the driver's STATE OF LEGAL RESIDENCE, and if you have a CDL, you can have NO OTHER DRIVER'S LICENSE in ANY other state.

When do I need a Mississippi CDL instead of my regular Mississippi Drivers License?
A Mississippi CDL is required if you operate any of the following CMV's . . .
1. A vehicle with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 lbs.
2. A vehicle towing a unit with a manufacturer's GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. when the GCWR exceeds 26,000 lbs.
3. A vehicle used to . . .(a.) carry 15 or more passengers (excluding the driver), or (b.) carry (15) or less people (including the driver) when carrying children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.
4. A vehicle carrying hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding.

What are the eligibility requirements to obtain a Mississippi CDL?
1. You must be 21 years old. (18 years if all commercial driving is done within Mississippi and if no hazardous materials requiring placarding are transported and if you do not drive double or triple trailer rigs).
2. You must be physically capable (in accordance with the MCSR 49 CFR 391.41 Physical Qualifications for Drivers regulations) of obtaining a valid DOT medical examiner's card (before being issued a CDL permit or taking any CDL skills test).
3. You must otherwise qualify for the license based on your driving record. Any of the following will disqualify you from obtaining a Mississippi CDL . . .
* If you possess a license from any state other than Mississippi.
* If you are currently subject to any disqualification of your commercial driving privilege from Mississippi or any other state.
* If your license is currently suspended, revoked, denied, or cancelled.
* If you have a conviction for operating a commercial motor vehicle while impaired in the 24 months immediately preceding application.
* other technical rules, and further restrictions that pertain only to Mississippi are covered in detail within the Course.

How do I obtain a Mississippi CDL?
1. Show your Mississippi driver license.
2. You must take and pass all Mississippi examinations that apply to your license class and endorsement requirements.
3. Show proof of social security number.
4. Meet Mississippi driver record eligibility requirements as determined by the State.
5. Fill out an application including certifications.
6. Provide a DOT medical certificate and pass the required CDL knowledge and vision tests (BEFORE a CDL Temporary Instruction Permit will be issued).
7. Pay the Mississippi CDL fees.
8. Schedule, take, and pass your Mississippi CDL skills test.

A separate booklet is included in the Mississippi CDL Course package which covers information such as fees, locations, contacts, procedures and other items specific to Mississippi for the written and skills examinations for ALL classes of CDL and ALL available endorsements.

What is a CDL "Skills Test" and how do I take it?
A "skills" test is the practical portion of the exam and includes . . .
1. A vehicle inspection test to measure your ability to perform a vehicle safety check.
2. A basic control skills test.
3. A driving test.
The skills test is normally given at an approved third party testing site in your area. This can vary and the latest procedures are indicated in the Mississippi CDL Course.

So let's say I get a Mississippi CDL. Can I use it Out-of-State?
Yes! It is good throughout the entire United States.

Can my Mississippi CDL be suspended or revoked?
Yes, there are MANY reasons that your Mississippi CDL can be suspended or revoked. Improper use of alcohol or drugs, traffic violations, and failure to notify top the list. The Course details ALL of the rules regarding suspension or revocation. The point to remember is that alcohol or drug use is not tolerated and your record WILL FOLLOW YOU THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES FOREVER!!!

So let's say that my Mississippi CDL is revoked. Can't I just apply for a CDL in another State?
No!!! Those days are gone.

Are there any exemptions to being required to have Mississippi CDL?
Yes, a few . . .
1. Active Duty Military . . . with military licenses operating military vehicles.
2. Firefighters . . . meeting approved training standards and operating authorized emergency vehicles.
3. Farmers . . . in certain cases.
4. Individuals ....operating motor homes or other vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members, for non business purposes.

What do the terms Class A, Class B, and Class C mean on my Mississippi CDL?
It refers to the type of vehicle that you may operate . . .
CLASS A . . . allows you to operate vehicles which tow trailers or other vehicles with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds. A Class "A" license also allows you to operate Class B and C vehicles.
CLASS B . . . allows you to operate single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more OR a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, towing trailers/vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds GVWR or less. A Class "B" license also allows you to operate Class C vehicles.
CLASS C . . .allows you to operate vehicles under 26,001 lbs. GVWR, that would normally not require a CDL; except when they are designed to transport 16 or more persons including the driver; or that carry 15 or less people (including the driver) transporting children to or from school and home regularly for compensation, or carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding. Applicable endorsements are required.

What are Endorsement Codes and when do I need them on my Mississippi CDL?
Endorsements are necessary for certain commercial driving requirements as follows . . .
(T) DOUBLE or TRIPLE TRAILERS.
(P) PASSENGER. For vehicles which are designed to carry 16 or more people (including the driver); or those which carry 15 or less people (including the driver) transporting children to or from school and home regularly for compensation.
(N) TANK VEHICLES. For vehicles designed to haul liquids or liquefied gases in bulk in permanently mounted tanks or portable tanks rated at 1,000 gallons or more.
(H) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. To carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards.
(X) Endorsement code designating a Tank (N) vehicle that carries Hazardous Materials (H).

I'm over 18 years old, but not 21 years old yet. Can I get a Mississippi CDL license?
Yes . . . with restrictions. You are limited to INTRAstate driving of commercial vehicles (you cannot drive a commercial truck or bus out of Mississippi). You cannot drive a vehicle requiring HAZ MAT placarding, cannot drive double or triple trailer rigs and cannot drive a School Bus with children on board until you turn 21 years of age.