Delaware CDL Requirements Guide

This page summarizes what Delaware requires of Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and Commercial Driver's License (CDL) applicants, with links to the official government sources. Requirements come from Delaware's licensing agencies and federal regulations; FLO LLC's own training standards appear separately below. Sources were checked on 2026-10-13. Where anything here differs from the agency, the agency controls.

• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Official Delaware CDL Manual

Commercial Driver License Manual – 2022 CDL Testing System (Modernized), Release Date: February 2025 — published by the state. FLO LLC links to the state's own document; it does not copy or host it.

READ DELAWARE CDL MANUAL

Opens the official PDF in a new tab. If it does not open, use the state's manual page: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — manual page. Spanish edition: Delaware CDL manual — Spanish.

Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) requirements

• A CDL learner's permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed CDL driver when operating a commercial motor vehicle.
• A CDL learner's permit is valid for one year and may not be issued or extended beyond one year from the issuance date of the original permit.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 383.25 — Commercial learner's permit

CDL eligibility and age requirements

• Federal rule: a driver must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)).
• Confirm Delaware's current procedure on the official Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers

Interstate versus intrastate driving

• Federal rule: a driver must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)).
• Every CLP and CDL applicant must self-certify one of four types of commercial driving — non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, or excepted intrastate — and non-excepted drivers must provide a current medical examiner's certificate (49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)).
• Confirm Delaware's current procedure on the official Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Identity and residency documentation

• Confirm Delaware's current procedure on the official Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page

Legal-presence requirements

• Federal rule: CLP and CDL applicants must prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, or qualify under the federal non-domiciled rules (49 CFR 383.71).
• Confirm Delaware's current procedure on the official Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Medical certification and self-certification

• Effective June 23, 2025, certified medical examiners submit CMV drivers' medical examination results electronically through the National Registry; certificates issued before that date remain valid until they expire.
• Every CLP and CDL applicant must self-certify one of four types of commercial driving — non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, or excepted intrastate — and non-excepted drivers must provide a current medical examiner's certificate (49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)).

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Knowledge examinations required

• All CDL knowledge tests are walk-in only and can be completed at any Division facility.
• Class A applicants take the General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles knowledge tests, plus Air Brakes for an air-brake vehicle (Delaware manual, Section 1.1). Endorsements require their own tests.
• Federal standard: at least 80% correct is required to pass each knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 383.135 — Passing knowledge and skills tests

Steps to obtain the CLP

• 1. Study the official Delaware CDL manual (link above).
• 2. Gather the identity, residency, Social Security and legal-presence documents the agency lists, and complete your self-certification (and medical examination if you are non-excepted).
• 3. Pass the required knowledge tests with the Delaware DMV.
• 4. Receive your CLP.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page

CLP holding period

• Federal rule: a CLP holder may not take the CDL skills test during the first 14 days after the CLP is first issued (49 CFR 383.25(e)).
• Confirm Delaware's current procedure on the official Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 383.25 — Commercial learner's permit

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements

• Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) applies to anyone obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrading to Class A or B, or obtaining a first school bus, passenger or hazardous materials endorsement (49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F).
• ELDT has two parts — theory (classroom/online) and behind-the-wheel (range and public road) — and both must be completed with providers listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, which reports your completion electronically before you may take the skills test.
• Confirm Delaware's current procedure on the official Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F — Entry-Level Driver Training · FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Behind-the-wheel training requirements

• ELDT behind-the-wheel training must be taken from a behind-the-wheel provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, on a range and on public roads, in a vehicle of the class you are training for. The instructor decides when you are proficient; federal rules set no minimum number of hours (49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F, Appendix A).
• FLO LLC's online course is ELDT THEORY only. It does not provide behind-the-wheel training.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F — Entry-Level Driver Training · FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Skills examination procedures

• Delaware DMV implemented the Modernized CDL skills test (pre-trip inspection and basic control) at all locations beginning February 26, 2025.
• All CDL skills tests are by appointment only and can be made only after you have held your CLP for at least 14 days. Road tests are given every weekday except Wednesday. Schedule by phone with your local DMV office or online through MyDMV ('My Road Test').
• Bring your valid learner's permit and an accompanying driver (at least 21) with a valid license.
• The skills test has three parts taken in order — vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving. The Delaware manual's basic control section describes the Modernized exercises: Forward Stop, Straight-Line Backing, Forward Offset Tracking and Reverse Offset Backing.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page

Licensing office and scheduling resources

• Use the official Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pages linked below to find offices, schedule tests and confirm current procedures.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page

Steps to receive your Class A CDL

• 1. Hold your CLP for at least the required holding period (federal minimum 14 days).
• 2. Complete ELDT theory (for example, FLO LLC's online course) and ELDT behind-the-wheel training with providers on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
• 3. Pass the three-part skills test with the Delaware DMV or an authorized tester.
• 4. Obtain your Class A CDL from the Delaware DMV.

Sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page