Pennsylvania CDL Requirements Guide

This page summarizes what Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania'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.

• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services

Official Pennsylvania CDL Manual

Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's License Manual, PUB 223 (published as separate section files) — published by the state. FLO LLC links to the state's own document; it does not copy or host it.

READ PENNSYLVANIA CDL MANUAL

Opens the official PDF in a new tab. If it does not open, use the state's manual page: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — manual page.

Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) requirements

• Federal rule: a CLP is valid for no more than one year, and its holder may drive a commercial motor vehicle on public roads only when accompanied by a CDL holder with the proper class and endorsements (49 CFR 383.25).
• Confirm Pennsylvania's current procedure on the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services page linked below.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ 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 Pennsylvania's current procedure on the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services page linked below.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ 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 Pennsylvania's current procedure on the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services page linked below.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Identity and residency documentation

• Confirm Pennsylvania's current procedure on the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services page linked below.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ 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 Pennsylvania's current procedure on the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services page linked below.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Medical certification and self-certification

• 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 Pennsylvania's current procedure on the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services page linked below.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Knowledge examinations required

• You must pass the required knowledge testing before practicing driving skills or attempting the skills test. The KTA is valid for one year and gives three tries to pass the knowledge test.
• Class A applicants take the General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles knowledge tests, plus Air Brakes for an air-brake vehicle (Pennsylvania 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: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page · 49 CFR 383.135 — Passing knowledge and skills tests

Steps to obtain the CLP

• Submit the Commercial Learner's Permit Application (DL-31CD) and Self-Certification Form (DL-11CD); non-excepted drivers must also submit a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate before the permit is issued. PennDOT then issues a Knowledge Test Authorization (KTA) for each class, endorsement and restriction removal requested.
• The KTA authorizes you to take the knowledge test(s) at a Driver License Center and must be presented there; it is not a driving permit. Only after you pass the knowledge testing is the actual CDL Learner's Permit issued.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page

CLP holding period

• Pennsylvania requires a minimum waiting period of 15 days from the date the permit is issued until the scheduled date of your class A, B or C skills test (longer than the federal 14-day minimum). You may contact PennDOT right after passing knowledge testing to schedule the skills test.
• 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)).

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ 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 Pennsylvania's current procedure on the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services page linked below.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ 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: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page · 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F — Entry-Level Driver Training · FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Skills examination procedures

• You have three tries on a given permit to pass the skills test(s); the applicant has one year to pass all knowledge and skills tests.
• The skills test has three parts taken in order — vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving. The Pennsylvania manual's basic control section describes the exercises described in Section 12 of the manual (straight-line backing, offset backing, and alley dock or parallel parking as listed there).

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page

Licensing office and scheduling resources

• Use the official Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services pages linked below to find offices, schedule tests and confirm current procedures.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page · Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — Factsheet page · Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — Skills 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 PennDOT or an authorized tester.
• 4. Obtain your Class A CDL from PennDOT.

Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services — FAQ page