Vermont CDL Requirements Guide

This page summarizes what Vermont 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 Vermont'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.

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Official Vermont CDL Manual

Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual VN-111 (2025) — published by the state. FLO LLC links to the state's own document; it does not copy or host it.

READ VERMONT CDL MANUAL

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

Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) requirements

• A Vermont CLP allows commercial driving instruction and behind-the-wheel experience on public highways. You must hold a valid Vermont operator's license and pass the knowledge tests for the class you are applying for, and carry your Class D license with the CLP. A CLP holder may not transport hazardous materials.
• Vermont DMV's pages state the CLP validity differently — 'valid for 180 days' on the CDL page and 'valid for one year from the date of issue' on the CLP page. Confirm the current term with Vermont DMV. To obtain another CLP you must retake the knowledge tests.

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

CDL eligibility and age requirements

• 18+ for a CLP and an intrastate CDL; 21+ for interstate CMV operation.
• 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)).

Sources: Vermont Department 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 Vermont's current procedure on the official Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

Sources: Vermont Department 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 Vermont's current procedure on the official Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

Sources: Vermont Department 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 Vermont's current procedure on the official Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

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

Medical certification and self-certification

• Your Medical Examiner's Certificate must be kept current.
• 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: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Knowledge examinations required

• Class A applicants take the General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles knowledge tests, plus Air Brakes for an air-brake vehicle (Vermont 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: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · 49 CFR 383.135 — Passing knowledge and skills tests

Steps to obtain the CLP

• 1. Study the official Vermont 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 Vermont DMV.
• 4. Receive your CLP.

Sources: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page

CLP holding period

• You must hold a CLP for 14 days before you can obtain a CDL.
• 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: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CLP page · Vermont Department 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 Vermont's current procedure on the official Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) page linked below.

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

Skills examination procedures

• A skills test must be taken in a vehicle that represents the license class you applied for. Complete the required documents and schedule an appointment to visit an office.
• The skills test has three parts taken in order — vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving. The Vermont 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: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CLP page · Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page

Licensing office and scheduling resources

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

Sources: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page · Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CLP 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 Vermont DMV or an authorized tester.
• 4. Obtain your Class A CDL from the Vermont DMV.

Sources: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — CDL page