How to Get a Commercial Driver's License in Mississippi

In Mississippi, you need a CDL to drive a commercial motor vehicle like this tractor pulling a flatbed trailer.

You must acquire a Mississippi Commercial Driver License (CDL) if you live in Mississippi and want to drive commercial vehicles. These include vehicles in four classes: A, B, C and D, which are divided by the weight of the vehicle being used and/or its purposes (see Reference). You also need a CDL endorsement to drive a school bus, double/triple trailer, tank vehicle, passenger vehicle or vehicle that carries hazardous materials.

Things You'll Need

• Valid Mississippi driver's license
• Learner's permit for the class of vehicle in which you will take your road test
• Valid Federal Department of Transportation medical card
• Proof of Mississippi residence
• CDL application form

Instructions

1. Contact the Mississippi DPS at 601-987-1212 for current fee information and find out the fees that apply to the type of license(s) you seek, such as the CDL learner's permit fee, CDL application fee, CDL license fee, etc.

2. Obtain a CDL learner's permit from a driver's license office (see Resource 1), CDL application (see Resource 2) and CDL manual (see Resource 3) from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS). Download the application form from the DPS website, then fill out and submit the application. Purchase a manual from a driver's license office or download it from the website.

3. Prepare for the CDL general knowledge test by reading the CDL manual and providing answers to the test questions. Take the general-knowledge test, which has 50 questions. You must provide 40 correct answers to pass.

4. Make an appointment to take the CDL skills tests -- pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving -- after you pass the required general knowledge test. You must take the skills tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. Schedule your CDL road test online or by phone at least two days in advance.

5. Bring your driver's license, Social Security card and proof of domicile (residence) to the testing site. Provide a document such as a utility bill, lease agreement, vehicle-registration receipt, mortgage document or bank statement that includes your name and address to prove you reside in Mississippi.

6. Pass all of your tests, and you will receive your Mississippi CDL.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are applying for a Mississippi CDL from another state, you can use a valid driver's license from another state in place of a current Mississippi driver's license.

• Out-of-state applicants seeking a hazardous materials endorsement must submit fingerprints for a federal background check. All applicants for the hazardous materials endorsement, regardless of residence, must pay a fee for the background check.

• Be on time for your test appointments. If you are more than 15 minutes late to an appointment, it will be canceled. If you do not show up for an appointment you have scheduled, you must wait two weeks to schedule another one.

References

• Mississippi Department of Public Safety: Commercial operator license -- Classes A, B, C & D

Resources

• Mississippi Department of Public Safety: Driver's License Locations
• Mississippi Department of Public Safety: Applications and Forms
• Mississippi Department of Public Safety: Driver's License Manuals