Missouri CDL License Requirements

To drive a commercial vehicle in Missouri, you must first obtain a Missouri commercial driver’s license (CDL). In Missouri, a CDL is required to drive the following types of commercial vehicles:

• 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 obtain a Missouri CDL, you must be at least 18 years old, pass a vision exam 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 then need to take a general knowledge exam and a practical skills test, which includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection and an on-road driving test. The State of Missouri requires that you test in a vehicle that matches the class of CDL you are trying to obtain--for example, you must test in a Class A vehicle if you wish to obtain a Class A CDL.

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 (Hazmat), additional endorsements are also required. 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 Missouri CDL exams.

Resources for Missouri CDL Requirements

Visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website for more information.