Do you have to be 18 to get your CDL?

Question

Do you have to be 18 to get your CDL?

Answer 1

Some states do issue CDLs to young drivers, but only for INTRA-STATE driving.  You cannot drive across state lines in a commercial vehicle until you are 21 years old.

Answer 2

It depends on where you live, call your department of motor vehicles because in some states to apply for a Commercial Driver License, you must be at least 18 years old, present your current driver license, your Social Security card, a current DOT medical card or Medical Long Form, resident address, and have one (1) year of driving experience. If you are under 21 years old, you will be restricted to Intra-State operation and will not be able to apply for Hazardous Materials, Passenger, or School Bus Endorsements.

Answer 3

You can get a CDL in most states (including Pennsylvania) when you are 18. You will be limited to inTRAstate commerce only, which means you can only haul loads which are intended to be transported entirely within the state.

You can not transport anything which originated in a foreign state, is destined for a foreign state, or which is contracted from a foreign state. These are inTERstate loads, and are governed by federal regs. Those you must be 21.

ADVICE: work as a yard jockey until you are 21, then go for it. Less hassle.

Answer 4

matt,...it depends on what state you live in. but once you have the lic. in hand, if you drive in a state that the age is higher, you are legal, because of you primary lic. state.

Answer 5

It depends on the state you live in, but by federal law you can not drive outside of your home state until you are 21. Some states also restrict what class or endorsements you can recieve.

Answer 6

21 in Pa.

Answer 7

You can't get it until you turn 21.