How to Get a CDL in NJ: Requirements, Costs, Training, & More

How to get a New Jersey CDL driving permit: Requirements, costs, training and more

Let's go over how to get a CDL permit in NJ. To obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in the state of New Jersey, you must follow certain steps and fulfill several requirements. Let us describe the general process for you: The first thing you need to do is to determine your CDL category depending on the type of vehicle you plan to drive. This is an important point, as each class has its own specific requirements

CDL Classes and Certificates

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in the state of New Jersey has several classes, as well as different certifications that determine what types of commercial vehicles you can drive. There are a total of 3 classes, ranging from A to C

Class A CDL	Class B CDL	Class C CDL
Allows you to drive combinations of vehicles with a combined weight of more than 26,000 pounds, provided the weight of the towed trailer exceeds 10,000 pounds	Allows you to drive trucks with a total weight of more than 26,000 pounds but with trailers weighing less than 10,000 pounds	Allows you to drive vehicles that are not Class A or B, but are designed to carry 16 or more passengers or to transport hazardous materials
Allows drivers to drive trucks and semi-trailers, including those designed to transport dangerous goods	Includes trucks, taxicabs and buses designed to carry 16 or more passengers

There are also additional certificates (Endorsements) that expand your capabilities and allow you to remove restrictions on the transportation of various cargoes. CDL certification may vary from department to department. It is worth contacting the office of the school where you will be trained to find out which certificates they can open.

These certificates are of the following types:

Tanker (N)	Permits drivers to transport liquids in tanks and tanks
Dangerous goods (H)	Allows transportation of dangerous goods
Air brakes (L)	Required to drive vehicles with air brakes
Automatic transmission (A)	Required to drive vehicles with automatic transmissions

Certain CDL training in New Jersey and certifications will require you to take the appropriate tests and training. Read the New Jersey CDL manual carefully before testing, or contact our instructors and they will help you understand the ins and outs of taking this test

You can visit the official website of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) https://nj.gov/mvc/index.html . Here you can find the official CDL manual that provides information about the rules and requirements for obtaining a commercial driver's license

Once you have decided on the CDL category you can move on to the next step:

Obtaining a temporary CDL permit

You need a CDL learner's permit to learn to drive a CDL vehicle. To do this, you will need to pass a driving knowledge test in this article https://startcdl.com/blog/how-many-questions-is-the-cdl-permit-test , we have looked in more detail at what questions you will have to answer when you take these tests. There is also information about deadlines, number of questions and retakes. You are advised to familiarize yourself before proceeding. At this point, you must also obtain a medical certificate from a doctor who is a certified physician for CDLs

Medical requirements for obtaining a CDL in New Jersey

As we mentioned earlier, one of the necessary steps to find how to get a cdl in New Jersey is to obtain a medical certificate. It's one of the most important steps to get a cdl in NJ. Only a licensed medical examiner can issue such a certificate after an examination. The examination includes vision, hearing, blood pressure and recording of parametric data (weight, height). If you go to a regular medical center, it may take a long time to be registered, find a suitable specialist and conduct a general examination. We recommend that you go directly to an accredited doctor. This service will be much quicker and easier because it is their direct specialty. Certified medical examiners can be found on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) National Registry.

To find them just google DOT medical examination in google maps for your location. In case there is no doctor near you, we can provide the contacts of our partners in Philadelphia, PA

The medical certificate is issued for a maximum of 2 years, depending on the result of the examination. If you are completely healthy and have no complaints, you will be issued a certificate for a maximum period of 2 years. If you have had health problems or have at the moment, it will be decided on an individual basis. This period can be from six months to a year, depending on your condition

Under the regulations, specific medical conditions disqualifying under 49 CFR 391.41 include hearing loss, vision loss, epilepsy, and insulin use. Drivers who require a diabetes or vision exemption in addition to those listed on the certification form to safely operate a CMV are disqualified until such an exemption is obtained.

You must also successfully complete a vision test and knowledge test. For the vision test, you must have 20/40 vision in each eye with or without glasses, peripheral vision of 70 degrees in each eye, and be able to recognize the colors red, green, and amber.

Important Note: The results of a medical or background check may result in the revocation of your commercial driver's license. CLP fees are not refundable if your license is revoked

Once you have obtained a temporary authorization and made a medical certificate you can proceed to the next step

Preparing and taking tests to obtain a CDL in New Jersey

You will need to prepare for the tests in order to pass. You can do this on our website in the quizzes section at https://startcdl.com/quiz-landing Take theoretical tests on transportation regulations (CDL General Knowledge Test, Air Brake Test and Combination Test) and specific tests related to the CDL category you have chosen Get the driving skills you need. Training can be provided at CDL schools or by individual instructors A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) will be required for the driving test

Obtaining CLP

A Commercial Learner's Permit, (CLP) is a permit that authorizes you to practice on public roads under the supervision of a qualified CDL holder. To obtain a CDL Commercial Learner's Permit, you must be 18 years of age or older to drive intrastate (Intrastate). If you want to do out-of-state (Interstate) transportation, you must be 21 years old. As an exception, you can be 18 if you have a co-driver over the age of 21 with a CDL

To apply for a commercial learner's permit (CLP) you need to follow 4 steps:

Step 1: Admission to MVC

You need to make an appointment with the MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission) to get a prior authorization. Bring your documents to the nearest branch and get your permit. Always bring your documents with you when you come for an appointment:

Identification (this can be a residence permit - green card, naturalization certificate, or if you are in the states on a visa - your national passport) Social Security Number (SSN). It can be obtained at any Social Security office with a passport with a visa and a document proving your residence address

Documents proving your residential address (rental agreement, utility or cell phone bill, bank statement, etc.) or the landlord's surety. Form I-94, which shows the date you crossed the U.S. border. You can download this form from the Department of Customs and Border Protection website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

It must be no older than 2 months

A document proving your status of legal stay in the country. This may be a visa corresponding to your current residency status, work authorization, green card, or other USCIS forms.

Certificate of course completion

As soon as you have completed the theoretical part on the computer, you can already make an appointment for the practical exam. If you are not ready yet, you can call and schedule the exam yourself, but be prepared that not all dates will be available. Please note that some offices have closed tracks and some offices have practical exams in the city

The permit will be valid for 2 years. During this time, you will have to complete the following steps and obtain a driver's license

Step 2: Practical Activities

You need to take driving lessons. You can do this at our StartCDL driving school Sign up to drive 6 months after passing your theory test (3 months if you are over 21)

Practice driving under the supervision of an instructor for 6 months (or 3 months if you are over 21)

Step 3: Taking the test

Once you have obtained your CLP, completed formal CDL training and are ready to begin the process of obtaining a full CDL, you will need to pass theory tests on general knowledge relating to general traffic regulations, driving safety and CDL specifications. Additional tests may also be included to obtain the necessary certificates.

Now you can safely move on to step 4:

Step 4: Obtain temporary license

Finally, you can get your provisional driver's license. You can get it at the place where you took your driving test or at any license center with your stamped permit and documents. You do not need to make an appointment in advance

Knowledge and skills to obtain a CDL in New Jersey

Next, we'll break down how do I get a CDL permit in NJ Driver Training: You will need to take formal driving training provided to you by the driving school. During this process, you will learn driving skills and prepare for your practical driving test. You will then take a practical driving test, which involves demonstrating your driving skills. You will need to demonstrate your driving skills in various road conditions, perform maneuvers and follow safety rules. In order to take the test, you need to apply

Application Process

To obtain a commercial driving license in the state of New Jersey make an appointment at the DMV for a CDL permit. You don't have to forget that this is an important step in how to get CDL in NJ. Bring 6 copies of your identification documents, including your social security card, proof of address, and proof of legal residency in the United States. You will need to accumulate 6 points (points) in order to pass the registration and eventually appear for the exam. Each of the documents provided has a different point value. Below you can see how many points a particular document gives you and put together a package that is convenient for you www.nj.gov/mvc/pdf/license/Standard_License_Sheet_Engl.pdf

Restrictions

It should be noted that there are certain restrictions for obtaining a CDL. They may vary slightly from state to state, but the basics are the same. Let's review them to answer the question of how I can get a CDL license in New Jersey.

The main restrictions for obtaining a CDL are as follows:

"E" - Prohibited from driving a CMV with a manual transmission (if you take the CMV exam with an automatic transmission, you will receive an E restriction and will not be able to drive a CMV with a manual transmission)

"K" - In-state only

"O" - It is prohibited to drive a CMV with a tractor trailer

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Leaving the scene of an accident

Committing felonies or serious traffic offenses with CMVs

Causing death by negligence

Sign up for a driving test: after successfully completing the theory tests and driving skills, you can sign up for a practical driving test. If your CLP has been expired for more than six months, all tests must be taken again

Pass your practical driving test

If you do not pass the test the first time, you may retake it after 14 days. In New Jersey, the number of attempts is unlimited If you have successfully passed the test and received the certificate you can safely proceed to the next step - obtaining a physical CDL card Keep in mind that regulations and requirements are subject to change, so it is always best to check for up-to-date information on the official New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website or contact them directly for accurate and detailed information

Obtaining a physical CDL license

After successfully passing the theory and practical tests, you will receive a full CDL. Then go to your local Motor Vehicle Commission in New Jersey to get a physical copy of your license. You will need to pay an additional $45 for it. You can find the MVC addresses on the official website https://nj.gov/mvc/locations/liccenters.htm , or you can contact the central office.

The central office of the Motor Vehicle Commission in New Jersey is located at:

Motor Vehicle Commission

225 East State Street

Trenton, NJ 08666

USA

In addition to paying for a physical CDL card, you will have additional costs

Total CDL costs in New Jersey include:

$125.00 non-refundable test authorization fee for a commercial learner's permit

$42.00 for a 4-year CDL

$2.00 for each certificate added

Summarizing

In this article, we looked at how you can get a CDL driving permit in the state of New Jersey. What documents you need to gather, how to go about the procedures required for this, and how to obtain a medical certificate. We also provided links to official resources and gave some practical tips for successfully obtaining a license. In case you have additional questions or would like individual advice, please contact our specialists. You can always count on our assistance and individual approach