Ohio CDL Requirements Guide

This page summarizes what Ohio 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 Ohio'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.

• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) — CLPs and CDLs are purchased at deputy registrar license agencies.
• Ohio driver exam stations give the knowledge tests; CDL skills tests are given at state and third-party CDL skills testing locations.

Official Ohio CDL Manual

Commercial Driver License Manual – Modernized Test System, HSY 7605 7/26 (Ohio BMV) — published by the state. FLO LLC links to the state's own document; it does not copy or host it.

READ OHIO CDL MANUAL

Opens the official PDF in a new tab. If it does not open, use the state's manual page: Ohio BMV forms directory (HSY 7605). Spanish edition: Ohio CDL Manual — Spanish (HSY 7606).

Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) requirements

• Pass a vision test (or meet the FMCSA physical qualifications for drivers) and the knowledge tests for your vehicle class and endorsements, in person at an Ohio driver exam station.
• Purchase the CLP and self-certify the type of commercial driving you will do.
• A CLP holder may operate a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when driving with a CDL holder properly endorsed for the vehicle.
• An Ohio CLP is valid for 12 months.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL)

CDL eligibility and age requirements

• First-time applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Ohio driver license, and have a valid U.S. Social Security Number (BMV).
• Applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (see Legal-presence requirements).
• Drivers of commercial motor vehicles must read, speak and write English well enough to converse with the public, understand highway signs, respond to official inquiries and complete reports (49 CFR 391.11, as stated by the Ohio BMV).

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers

Interstate versus intrastate driving

• Ohio BMV: drivers under 21 are restricted to intrastate commercial driving — allowed to operate only in Ohio.
• 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)).
• Ohio CDLs and CLPs may carry the K (Intrastate Only) restriction.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers

Identity and residency documentation

• You must already hold a valid Ohio driver license, and have a valid U.S. Social Security Number.
• Bring the identity and citizenship/residency documents listed on the BMV's Acceptable Documents page.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · Ohio BMV — Acceptable Documents

Legal-presence requirements

• Proof of U.S. citizenship (per 49 CFR 383.71): a valid, unexpired U.S. passport; a certified birth certificate filed with a State Office of Vital Statistics (or equivalent) in the state, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands; a Consular Report of Birth Abroad; a Certificate of Naturalization; or a Certificate of Citizenship.
• Proof of lawful permanent residency: a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card issued by USCIS.
• Renewal applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or continued lawful permanent residency.
• Federal non-domiciled CDL/CLP rules changed in 2026; the BMV page links its current communications for non-renewable/non-transferable licensees.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Vision, medical certification and self-certification

• You must pass a vision test, or meet the FMCSA physical qualifications for drivers with an exam date after March 15, 2022.
• Every CLP and CDL applicant self-certifies one category: 1 Non-Excepted Interstate (must meet federal medical requirements, 49 CFR Part 391); 2 Excepted Interstate; 3 Non-Excepted Intrastate (must meet state medical requirements); 4 Excepted Intrastate.
• Self-certify online through BMV Online Services, by emailing or mailing form BMV 2159, or in person at a deputy registrar license agency.
• Since June 23, 2025, FMCSA transmits medical examination results to the Ohio BMV electronically; CLP applicants and CDL holders no longer submit a paper Medical Examiner's Certificate.
• Drivers who cannot meet the federal physical qualifications may be eligible for a restricted CDL; eligible intrastate drivers may apply to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for provisional medical certification.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · Ohio BMV 2159 — CDL Self-Certification Authorization · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Knowledge examinations required

• A knowledge test is required for each class of vehicle, for each endorsement, and to remove the air brake restriction. Class A applicants take General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles, plus Air Brakes for an air-brake vehicle (Ohio CDL Manual, Section 1.1.1).
• Knowledge tests are taken in person at an Ohio driver exam station (DX location).
• Federal standard: at least 80% correct is required to pass each knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · Ohio CDL Manual HSY 7605 · Ohio DPS — Local offices (driver exam stations, CDL skills testing locations, deputy registrars)

Steps to obtain the CLP

• 1. Study the official Ohio CDL Manual HSY 7605 (link below; Spanish HSY 7606 is also published).
• 2. Gather your valid Ohio driver license, Social Security Number, and citizenship or lawful-permanent-residency document.
• 3. Pass the vision test and the required knowledge tests in person at an Ohio driver exam station.
• 4. Purchase your CLP at a deputy registrar license agency and self-certify your type of commercial driving.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · Ohio DPS — Local offices (driver exam stations, CDL skills testing locations, deputy registrars)

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)).
• Your Ohio CLP is valid for 12 months; you must purchase your CDL before the CLP expires.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · 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.
• Ohio BMV: you must provide electronic proof of ELDT completion equal to the class and endorsement on your CLP — or proof of an ELDT exemption — BEFORE scheduling or attempting skills testing.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · 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.
• While practicing on Ohio highways with a CLP, you must drive with a CDL holder properly endorsed for the vehicle (BMV).

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F — Entry-Level Driver Training · FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Skills examination procedures

• Skills testing consists of a pre-trip inspection (30-minute time limit), a basic maneuverability test (40-minute time limit), and a road test.
• Make an appointment at an Ohio CDL skills testing location (state-owned or third-party). At a state-owned facility you must first buy a CDL Test Receipt at a deputy registrar; third-party sites set their own fees.
• You must provide a vehicle appropriate for the class you are applying for; third-party testing sites may have vehicles available to rent.
• If any part of the skills test is failed, you must wait two days to retest.
• Basic control (Modernized test, Manual Section 12): Forward Stop, Straight-Line Backing, Forward Offset Tracking, and Reverse Offset Backing.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL) · Ohio CDL Manual HSY 7605 · Ohio DPS — Local offices (driver exam stations, CDL skills testing locations, deputy registrars)

Licensing office and scheduling resources

• Knowledge tests: any Ohio driver exam station.
• Skills tests: any Ohio CDL skills/testing location, by appointment.
• CLP and CDL purchase: any deputy registrar license agency.
• The Ohio DPS publishes a list of approved driving schools.

Sources: Ohio DPS — Local offices (driver exam stations, CDL skills testing locations, deputy registrars) · Ohio DPS — Approved Driving Schools

Steps to receive your Class A CDL

• 1. Hold your Ohio CLP for at least 14 days.
• 2. Complete ELDT theory and ELDT behind-the-wheel training with providers on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so your completion is on file electronically.
• 3. Schedule and pass all required skills tests for the class and endorsements on your CLP.
• 4. Purchase your Commercial Driver License at a deputy registrar license agency BEFORE your CLP expires.

Sources: Ohio BMV — Commercial Driver (CDL)