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Tennessee Commercial Driver License (Class A, B, or C)Operators of larger and more complex vehicles will need to apply for a Commercial Driver License (CDL). These licenses include Class A, B, and C depending upon the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), and what is being transported. In general, state law defines a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as any vehicle or combination of vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds. If hazardous materials are transported, or if the vehicle is designed to transport more than fifteen (15) passengers including the driver, or if the vehicle is used as a school bus, a CDL would also be required, regardless of the weight of the vehicle. Drivers who need a CDL should obtain the Commercial Driver License Manual which contains detailed information necessary to prepare for the tests. These manuals are available at all driver license stations. The Temporary Driver License is not available to cover any type of commercial motor vehicle. An applicant for a CDL must be able to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident status in order to qualify for issuance of a Tennessee CDL. NOTE : If a person holds a valid commercial driver license (Class A, B, or C license), this license is also valid for operating a Class D vehicle. No separate Class D license is required. See the Commercial Motor Vehicles Guide
 Road Skills test
Applicants must provide the commercial vehicle (and unloaded trailer if Class A) to be used. A Commercial Driver License road skills test to obtain a commercial driver license is offered at the following eight Driver License Service Centers throughout the state.
The Tennessee Department of Safety requires fingerprinting and background checks for new Hazardous Material Endorsement applicants and current Hazardous Material Endorsement holders at time of their renewal in accordance with Section 1012 of the USA PATRIOT Act. The federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require the secure transport of hazardous materials, including explosives. No commercial driver license (CDL) with an Hazardous Material Endorsement may be issued unless the applicant has first undergone the security threat assessment and obtained clearance from TSA. However, current Hazardous Material Endorsement holders will be granted a ninety-day temporary endorsement at the time of renewal. These rules require a security threat assessment on all commercial drivers transporting hazardous materials. The process includes the collection of an individual's fingerprints and verification of citizenship, immigration eligibility or permanent legal presence in the United States. Applicants will not be permitted to transfer the remaining validity period of an endorsement issued by another state. If the applicant can provide the Tennessee Driver License examiner with a letter from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) showing they have passed their threat assessment as submitted from their previous state, dated not more than six (6) months prior to the transfer; and if Tennessee Department of Safety staff can verify that clearance, a hazardous materials endorsement can be issued on the applicant’s new Tennessee Commercial Driver License. Applicants from another state transferring to Tennessee, currently holding a hazardous materials endorsement on their out-of-state license, but passing TSA threat assessment more than six (6) months prior to transfer, may transfer their hazardous materials endorsement under the Federal ninety (90) day temporary endorsement law. Within that ninety (90) days, the individual must go through the Patriot Act process including the collection of an individual's fingerprints and verification of citizenship, immigration eligibility or permanent legal presence in the United States in order to continue holding the hazardous materials endorsement on their Tennessee license.
Applicants for issuance or renewal of an Hazardous Material Endorsement must be a United States citizen who has not renounced citizenship, a lawful permanent resident of the United States or meet the requirements for immigration status. The documents that will be accepted as proof of citizenship or immigration status are as follows:
Certification and/or disclosure of the following is also required at the time of application:
Applicants for the Hazardous Material Endorsement will be required to meet all standard federal regulations for the class of license sought, complete all required forms and testing and pay necessary fees. If these requirements are satisfied, the Drivers License Issuance Division will issue the applicant a Commercial Driver License (CDL) without the Hazardous Material Endorsement (or with the ninety-day temporary endorsement, if the applicant currently has a Hazardous Material Endorsement) until the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) completes the threat assessment process. Applicants for a Hazardous Material Endorsement must register to be fingerprinted by calling Tennessee Applicant Processing Services (TAPS) toll-free at 1-877-862-2425. Applicants should download the applicant information form (PDF) and fill it out prior to calling 1-877-862-2425 to register to be fingerprinted. Applicants making registration will be required to enter Safety in the Agency Name field and TNHAZOOOZ in the Agency ORI field. Authorized TAPS vendor locations to be fingerprinted and hours of operation can be obtained by visiting the TAPS website or by calling 1-877-862-2425. At the time of fingerprinting, the TAPS vendor will confirm the applicant's identity using the applicant's Tennessee CDL and will take fingerprints using a state-of-the-art live scan system. The TAPS vendor will forward the fingerprint information and $82.00 fee to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the applicant will be provided with a unique tracking number to confirm the transaction. The $82.00 fee referenced above is a non-refundable processing fee and must be in the form of a money order. Please note that applicants may not initiate the fingerprinting process prior to receipt of the new Tennessee CDL. This information is forwarded along with fingerprints to the TBI and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for processing. The FBI will then forward to TSA data concerning any criminal history the applicant may have in order for TSA to make the final determination regarding eligibility for the Hazardous Material Endorsement. The applicant will be notified in writing by the TSA of approval/disapproval of the endorsement. If approved, the Tennessee Department of Safety will notify the applicant by telephone that the applicant may go to the nearest driver license service center to get the Hazardous Material Endorsement added to their license. The Hazardous Material Endorsement is valid for a period of five years and will be so noted on the new license. If disapproved, the applicant will receive information on how to appeal the denial through TSA. Drivers may renew their commercial driver license up to 60 days prior to the expiration date. The Department of Safety strongly encourages applicants to allow sufficient time in advance of the need to renew the Hazardous Material Endorsement for this process to be completed. Individuals who currently have a CDL with a Hazardous Material Endorsement who do not meet the qualification requirements must immediately surrender the CDL (with Hazardous Material Endorsement ) to a local driver license service center. If otherwise qualified, and if all applicable fees are paid, the applicant may be re-issued a CDL without a Hazardous Material Endorsement.
Permanently Disqualifying Criminal Offenses: An applicant has a permanent disqualifying offense if convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity in a civilian or military jurisdiction of any of the following felonies:
Interim Disqualifying Criminal Offenses: An applicant has an interim disqualifying offense if convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity in a civilian or military jurisdiction, of any of the crimes below within the seven years preceding the date of application; or if the applicant was released from incarceration for the crime within the five years preceding the application date:
Under Want or Warrant: Applicants under want or indictment in any civilian or military jurisdiction for any permanent or interim disqualifying felony listed above are disqualified until the want or warrant is released.
Detailed information regarding the Act, including the waiver and appeal process, is available at the TSA website at http://www.tsa.gov. Additional information on registering to be fingerprinted can be obtained online at http://www.tennessee.cogentid.com. Should you have additional questions regarding the Act's requirements, please contact our Tennessee Drivers License Customer Care Call Center by calling toll-free 1-866-849-3548 Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Central Standard time.
Wanda Moore, Director To schedule a road test, click here: http://www.tnanytime.org/dlappts/ TDD Telecommunications Device for Hearing Impaired: |
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