Vermont CDL License Requirements

To drive a commercial vehicle in Vermont, you must first obtain a Vermont commercial driver’s license (CDL). While classes of CDL licenses can vary from state to state, Vermont classifies commercial vehicles that require a CDL to drive as follows:

• Class A: Truck or vehicle combination weighing over 26,001 pounds that is towing a vehicle over 10,000 pounds
• Class B: Truck or bus that weighs more than 26,001 pounds
• Class C: Vehicles requiring a hazardous materials placard, or ones that carry over 16 people (including the driver) but weigh less than 26,001 pounds

To qualify for a CDL in Vermont, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Vermont driver’s license, pass a vision exam and obtain a medical certificate. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulates the transportation of cargo between states. USDOT requires all drivers who transport materials across state lines 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 Vermont 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.

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 to transport hazardous materials (also referred to as a Hazmat endorsement). Truck driving schools will provide the training and education needed to pass the Vermont CDL requirements.

Resources for Vermont CDL Requirements

Visit the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles website for more information.