Delaware CDL License Requirements

In order to drive a commercial vehicle in Delaware, you must first obtain a Delaware commercial driver’s license (CDL). Commercial vehicles requiring a CDL license to drive in Delaware are categorized based on the following criteria:

• Class A: Combination vehicles with a total weight of 26,001 pounds or above, where the towed vehicle(s) is over 10,000 pounds.
• Class B: Vehicles weighing 26,001 pounds or more, where the towed vehicle(s) is less than 10,000 pounds.
• Class C: Vehicles weighing under 26,001 pounds, used for transporting sixteen or more passengers or hauling hazardous materials.

To obtain a Delaware CDL, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Delaware driver’s license, pass a vision exam and obtain a medical certificate. To transport cargo across state lines, federal regulations require truck drivers to be at least 21 years old. The interstate transportation of cargo is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and not by state governments. Applicants must then pass both a written knowledge exam and an on-road driving test. The State of Delaware 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 endorsements are then needed to drive certain types of vehicles including trucks with air brakes, double/triple trailers, tanker trucks or school buses. Endorsements are also needed to transport passengers or to haul hazardous materials (Hazmat). A background check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is needed for the Hazmat endorsement. A truck driving school will provide you with the knowledge and on-road driving skills needed to pass the Delaware CDL exams.

Resources for Delaware CDL Requirements

Visit the State of Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles website for more information.