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Tennessee CDL License Requirements

To become a truck driver in Tennessee, you must first earn a Tennessee commercial driver’s license (CDL). There are typically three types of CDL licenses that can vary slightly from state to state. Tennessee classifies commercial vehicles using the following criteria:

Class A: Operate vehicles weighing more than 26,001 pounds that tow trailers or other vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds
Class B: Operate vehicles weighing more than 26,001 pounds and tow trailers or vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds
Class C: Operate vehicles that can transport 16 or more people or vehicles that transport hazardous materials

To qualify for a CDL in Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years old, pass a vision exam and obtain a medical certificate. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulates interstate transportation of cargo. If you wish to transport materials across state lines, you must 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 Tennessee 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 knowledge and skills tests may be required depending on the endorsements you need. For example, endorsements are needed to drive a truck with air brakes, a tanker or a school bus. They are also needed to transport passengers or to haul hazardous materials. A background check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required for a Hazmat endorsement. A truck driving school in Tennessee will provide the education and on-road training needed to pass the CDL requirements.

Resources for Tennessee CDL Requirements

Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety website for more information.

Directory of Tennessee Truck Driving Schools

Alamo: Tennessee Technology Center
Address: 151 Conley Rd Alamo, Tennessee 38001
Phone: 731-635-3368

Christiana: Truck Driver Institute
Address: 6201 Epps Mill Rd Christiana, Tennessee 37037
Phone: 615-895-2070

Columbia: Superior Drivers Institute
Address: 302 Rutherford Ln Columbia, Tennessee 38401
Phone: 931-380-9090

Crump: Tennessee Technology Center
Address: 3070 Hwy 64 W Crump, Tennessee 38327
Phone: 731-632-3393

Dyersburg: Heartland Driving Institute LLC
Address: 601 Davis Rd Dyersburg, Tennessee 38025
Phone: 731-287-7283

Fall Branch: CCS Professional Truck Driver Training Center
Address: 134 Joe R McCrary Rd Fall Branch, Tennessee 37656
Phone: 423-348-8339

Hixon: Chattanooga State Community College
Address: 2733 Kanasita Dr, Ste D Hixon, Tennessee 37343
Phone: 423-875-8448

Huntsville: Tennessee Technology Center
Address: 355 Scott High Dr Huntsville, Tennessee 37756
Phone: 423-663-4900

Jackson: Drive-Train
Address: 119 E.L. Morgan Dr Jackson, Tennessee 38305
Phone: 731-423-8822

Jackson: Milan Express Driving Academy
Address: 53 E.L. Morgan Dr Jackson, Tennessee 38305
Phone: 800-645-2698

Jackson: RoadRunner Driving Academy
Address: 2255 Hwy 70 E Jackson, Tennessee 38305
Phone: 731-935-2500

Knoxville: Tennessee Technology Center
Address: 1100 Liberty St Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Phone: 865-546-5567

Lebanon: Transportation Training Centers
Address: 901 Baddour Pkwy Lebanon, Tennessee 37087
Phone: 615-443-2300

Lexington: West Tennessee CDL Training LLC
Address: 42 Ross St Lexington, Tennessee 38351
Phone: 731-967-0008

Memphis: Tennessee Technology Center
Address: 550 Alabama Ave Memphis, Tennessee 38105
Phone: 901-543-6100

Millington: Swift Driving Academy
Address: 7965 Veterans Pkwy, Ste 107 Millington, Tennessee 38053
Phone: 800-914-8751

Murfreesboro: United Truck School Inc
Address: 819 Park Ave Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129
Phone: 877-639-5136

Nashville: Tennessee Technology Center
Address: 7204 Cockrill Bend Nashville, Tennessee 37209
Phone: 615-425-5600

Oak Ridge: Oak Ridge Regional Training Corp
Address: 1900 E Oak Ridge Turnpike Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
Phone: 865-483-3400

Ripley: Tennessee Technology Center
Address: 127 Industrial Dr Ripley, Tennessee 38063
Phone: 731-635-3368

Sevierville: Smokey Mountain Trucking Institute
Address: 3173 Newport Hwy Sevierville, Tennessee 37876
Phone: 800-495-4056

Sharon: RoadRunner Driving Academy
Address: 106 Industrial Pk Rd Sharon, Tennessee 38255
Phone: 731-456-2008

Shelbyville: Tennessee Technology Center
Address: 1405 Madison St Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160
Phone: 931-685-5013

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