If you want to learn to drive commercial motor vehicles, you must get a commercial learner's permit (CLP). To obtain a CLP, you must pass the CDL general knowledge exam and the other knowledge exams for the vehicles that you want to drive.
A Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) is the initial step for individuals seeking a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This permit allows supervised practice of commercial driving skills, preparing drivers for the requirements of operating commercial motor vehicles.
A CLP is your state’s nod to start learning behind the wheel of a big truck. It’s your very first move on the road to earning your Class A CDL — the license that launches your trucking career.
Before you can earn your Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you must obtain your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). The CLP lets you legally practice driving under a CDL instructor’s supervision.
To become a professional truck driver, you need a CDL class A permit, otherwise known as a CLP (Commercial Learner’s Permit). The process for obtaining your first CDL permit is straightforward but can be confusing for inexperienced drivers who don’t know where to start.
A commercial learner's permit (CLP) allows you to drive a commercial vehicle only when a person licensed to drive the same type of vehicle is with you. To get a CDL, you must hold a CLP for at least 14 days and complete Entry Level Driver Training.
These credentials, primarily the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), are fundamental for individuals seeking to enter or advance in the commercial driving industry.
CDL Drivers are required to hold the Commercial Instructional Permit (CLP) for 14 days before applying for a full CDL. NOTE: A CLP issued on or after July 1, 2021, will be valid for 365 days. All applicants must be able to read and understand the English Language.
