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Colorado CDL License Requirements

To start your truck driving career in Colorado, you must first earn a Colorado commercial driver’s license (CDL). In Colorado, a CDL is required to drive the following types of commercial vehicles:

Class A: Truck or vehicle combination weighing over 26,001 pounds that is towing a vehicle over 10,000 pounds
Class B: Truck or bus that weighs more than 26,001 pounds
Class C: Vehicles requiring a hazardous materials placard, or ones that carry over 16 people (including the driver) but weigh less than 26,001 pounds

According to Colorado CDL requirements, applicants must be at least 18 years old, pass a vision exam and obtain a medical certificate. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulates the transportation of cargo between states. USDOT requires all drivers who transport materials across state lines to be at least 21 years old. Applicants then need to take a general knowledge exam and a skills test. The three part skills test includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, a basic vehicle control test, and an on-road driving test. The State of Colorado requires that applicants test in the class of vehicle for which they are trying to obtain a CDL--for example, you must test in a Class A vehicle if you wish to obtain a Class A CDL.

Additional qualifications in the form of endorsements are also needed to drive a truck with air brakes, a tanker truck or a school bus. Endorsements are also needed to transport hazardous materials or to transport passengers. A background check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is needed to transport hazardous materials (Hazmat endorsement). A truck driving school will provide the education and on-road training needed to pass the CDL requirements in Colorado.

Resources for Colorado CDL Requirements

Visit the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles website for more information.

Directory of Colorado Truck Driving Schools

Aurora: CDL College
Address: 14800 Smith Rd Aurora, Colorado 80011
Phone: 303-367-1030

Colorado Springs: Springs Truck Driving School
Address: 890 Dublin Blvd, Ste A Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918
Phone: 719-448-9401

Commerce City: Colorado Transportation School LLC
Address: 7170 Dahlia St Commerce City, Colorado 80022
Phone: 303-356-2625

Craig: Roy Hansen & Associates - Craig & Rifle Colorado
Address: 500 S Ranney St Craig, Colorado 81625
Phone: 970-629-1695

Denver: Matthew Center LLC
Address: 3030 Downing St Denver, Colorado 80205
Phone: 303-295-0376

Fort Collins: Northern Colorado Truck Driving Academy
Address: 2200 Airway Ave Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
Phone: 970-690-8846

Grand Junction: 5 Star CDL Training
Address: 2591 B-3/4 Rd Grand Junction, Colorado 81503
Phone: 970-241-1025

Grand Junction: CDL Certifiers Inc
Address: 2890 D Rd Grand Junction, Colorado 81503
Phone: 970-260-5136

Grand Junction: SAGE
Address: 2800 Printers Wy Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
Phone: 800-523-0492

Greeley: Aims Community College
Address: 5401 W 20th St Greeley, Colorado 80632
Phone: 970-339-6554

Henderson: SAGE
Address: 10401 E 102nd Ave, Unit A Henderson, Colorado 80640
Phone: 800-867-9856

Julesburg: Heavy Equipment Training Academy
Address: 200 Construction Ave Julesburg, Colorado 80737
Phone: 970-474-3686

Keenesburg: Careers World Wide
Address: PO Box 587 Keenesburg, Colorado 80643
Phone: 303-536-9845

Loveland : Big E Truck Driving School
Address: 2265 Austin Ct Loveland , Colorado 80538
Phone: 970-744-1662

Mancos: Southwest Colorado Community College
Address: 33057 Hwy 160 Mancos, Colorado 81328
Phone: 970-565-6200 x6212

Pueblo: El Pueblo Learning & Technology Services
Address: 2601 Crawford St Pueblo, Colorado 81004
Phone: 719-560-1007

Rifle: Roy Hansen & Associates - Craig & Rifle Colorado
Address: Garfield County Airport Rifle, Colorado 81650
Phone: 970-629-1695

Trinidad: Colorado CDL Driving School
Address: 2118 Freedom Rd Trinidad, Colorado 81082
Phone: 719-846-2511

Trinidad: Trinidad State Junior College
Address: 600 Prospect St Trinidad, Colorado 81082
Phone: 719-846-5559

Watkins: Associated Training Services
Address: 3900 Hudson Mile Rd Watkins, Colorado 80137
Phone: 608-837-2851

Wheat Ridge: Excel Driver Services
Address: 11900 W 44th Ave, Ste 100 Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033
Phone: 303-942-8002

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