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North Carolina CDL License Requirements

To start your truck driving career in North Carolina, you must first earn a North Carolina commercial driver’s license (CDL). In North Carolina, 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

According to North Carolina CDL requirements, applicants must be at least 18 years old, pass a vision exam and obtain a medical certificate. Transportation of cargo across state lines is regulated by the federal government and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). USDOT requires all drivers who transport materials across state lines 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, you must use a vehicle in the same class for which you are trying to obtain a CDL license--for example, if you wish to obtain a Class A CDL, you must test in a Class A 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 required. To transport hazardous materials (also referred to as a Hazmat endorsement), a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check is needed. North Carolina truck driving schools will provide you with the training and on-road driving experience needed to pass the CDL exams.

Resources for North Carolina CDL Requirements

Visit the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles website for more information.

Directory of North carolina Truck Driving Schools

Arden: Alliance Tractor Trailer Training Center
Address: 2765 Hendersonville Rd Arden, North Carolina 28704
Phone: 800-334-1203

Asheboro: Future Truckers of America
Address: 1095 W Dixie Dr, Ste A Asheboro, North Carolina 27203
Phone: 336-636-5700

Charlotte: Carolina Driving Institute
Address: 5200 Spector Dr Charlotte, North Carolina 28269
Phone: 704-597-5252

Charlotte: Charlotte Truck Driver Training School
Address: 4830 Hovis Rd Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
Phone: 704-393-3000

Charlotte: Transtech Inc
Address: 4424 Wilkinson Blvd Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
Phone: 704-597-9550

Clinton: Sampson Community College
Address: 1801 Sunset Ave, Hwy 24 W Clinton, North Carolina 28328
Phone: 910-592-8081

Conover: Transtech Inc
Address: 508 10th St NW, Ste R Conover, North Carolina 28613
Phone: 828-464-8001

Dallas: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Address: 201 Hwy 321 S Dallas, North Carolina 28034
Phone: 704-922.6381

Dunn: Roadmaster
Address: 1111 S Clinton Ave Dunn, North Carolina 28335
Phone: 910-891-1344

Fayetteville: Regency Job Training Institute
Address: 110 N Main St Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311
Phone: 910-497-1088

Henderson: Vance-Granville Community College
Address: PO Box 917 Henderson, North Carolina 27536
Phone: 252-738-3297

Hickory: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Address: 2550 Hwy 70 SE Hickory, North Carolina 28602
Phone: 828-327-7000

Hudson: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Address: 2855 Hickory Blvd Hudson, North Carolina 28638
Phone: 828-726-2380

Lexington: Davidson County Community College
Address: PO Box 1287 Lexington, North Carolina 27293
Phone: 336-249-8186

Linwood: Carolina Driving Institute
Address: 130 Clark Rd Linwood, North Carolina 27299
Phone: 336-853-3785

Lumberton: Lumberton Truck Driving Academy
Address: 2600 E 5th St Lumberton, North Carolina 28358
Phone: 910-735-0033

Rocky Mount: SAGE
Address: 522 N Old Carriage Rd Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27573
Phone: 888-526-5562

Roxboro: SAGE
Address: 1715 College Dr Roxboro, North Carolina 27573
Phone: 366-599-1818

Smithfield: Johnston Community College
Address: 245 College Rd Smithfield, North Carolina 27577
Phone: 919-989-7007

Spindale: SAGE
Address: 286 ICC Loop Rd Spindale, North Carolina 28160
Phone: 828-286-3636

Statesville: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Address: 701 W Front St Statesville, North Carolina 28677
Phone: 704-878-3200

Thomasville: Cross Country Truck Driving School
Address: 250 Industrial Park Dr Thomasville, North Carolina 27360
Phone: 336-472-0024

Washington: Beaufort County Community College
Address: PO Box 1069 Washington, North Carolina 27889
Phone: 252-946-6194

Wilmington: Cape Fear Community College
Address: 411 N Front St Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
Phone: 910-362-7000

Yadkinville: SAGE
Address: 4649 Hwy 601 Yadkinville, North Carolina 27055
Phone: 366-679-4600

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