Things You'll Need:
- Age 18 (age 21 if driving interstate)
- Florida driver's license
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Step 1
Get a job at a transportation employer willing to train you to get a CDL License in Florida. You can also enroll if a truck driving school or bus driving school if you cannot find an employer at this time. You will need a commercial driving school or job because you need to gain the skills somewhere and you will need a truck for the road test. The state of Florida will not give you a truck to practice or take the road test.
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Step 2
Decide between you and your employer/ truck driving school the endorsement and CDL license class you need.
CDL license classes in Florida:
Class A - truck combination over 26000 lbs.
Class B - straight trucks and buses
Class C - transport hazardous materials or 15+ people
Endorsements:
H - hazmat
N - tank
P - passenger
S - school bus
T - double trailer and triple trailer
X - combination of N and H -
Step 3
Go to the nearest Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle office to apply for a CDL license in Florida. On this visit, you will take a knowledge test based upon the endorsements you need. Passing this test will give you a learner's permit necessary to practice for the road test.
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Step 4
Practice commercial driving skills with your employer or truck driving school in preparation for the Skill Test.
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Step 5
Take the Skills test.
There are many privately run sites (usually at trucking employers or schools in Florida) that do the CDL skill tests and a very few public sites. The locations and phone numbers can be found on the Florida DHSMV website.
The road test involves three parts:
1) - Pre-trip vehicle inspection (eg. check lights, check brakes, check for leaks, etc.)
2) - Basic vehicle control test (drive in a confined area around cones both forwards and backwards)
3) - On the road test
After you pass the Skills test, you will have earned your CDL license in Florida.
