Connecticut · Permit testWhat's on the CT CDL permit test?
| Test | Questions | To pass | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 50 | 40 | $16 |
| Air brakes | 25 | 20 | $5 |
| Combination vehicles | 20 | 16 | $5 |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 | $5 |
| School bus | 20 | 16 | $5 |
| Tanker, or doubles and triples | 20 | 16 | $5 |
| Hazardous materials | 30 | 24 | $5 |
Study the CDL manual. The DMV uses an updated manual for tests from July 1, 2025.
Before you book
- Be 18 to drive within Connecticut only, or 21 to drive across state lines or carry hazardous materials.
- Get a medical examiner's certificate from an examiner on the National Registry. Since June 16, 2025, the DMV gets it electronically and no longer takes paper forms.
- Self-certify whether you'll drive intrastate or interstate.
- Register with the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. A "prohibited" status blocks the permit.
- Bring your Connecticut license, REAL ID documents, Form R-229a and your printed self-certification.
After you pass
Pay $20 for the commercial learner's permit, which arrives by mail. It lasts one year, and if you don't get your CDL in that time, you retake all the tests. Before the skills test, you hold the permit for 14 days and finish Entry Level Driver Training for a Class A or B license. The skills test fee is $30. If you fail a knowledge test, book again, fill in a new R-229a and pay the fee again.
Sources: CT DMV and 1 more. Checked October 2026.
- CT DMV: Get a commercial learner's permit ↗
- CT DMV: Make or change an appointment (commercial road tests) ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.