Iowa CDL License Requirements

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

• Class A: Combination vehicles that have a gross combined weight rating of more than 26,001 pounds, if the vehicle(s) towed are over 10,000 pounds
• Class B: A single vehicle weighing over 26,001 pounds
• Class C: Vehicles able to transport 16 or more people, including the driver, or vehicles carrying hazardous materials that require special placards

To qualify for a CDL in Iowa, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Iowa driver’s license and obtain a medical certificate. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) governs the transportation of materials across state lines. Federal regulations require truck drivers hauling materials from one state to another to be at least 21 years old. Applicants must then pass both a written knowledge exam and an on-road driving test. For the driving test, applicants must use a vehicle in the same class for which they are trying to obtain a CDL license--for example, if you wish to obtain a Class B CDL, you must test in a Class B vehicle.

To drive a truck with double/triple trailers, a truck with air brakes, a tanker truck or a school bus, additional endorsements are required. If you wish to transport passengers or hazardous materials, additional endorsements are also needed. A background check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required to transport hazardous materials (also referred to as a Hazmat endorsement). Truck driving schools in Iowa will provide the training and education necessary to pass the CDL exams.

Resources for Iowa CDL Requirements

Visit the Iowa Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division website for more information.