New York · Permit testWho can take the New York CDL permit test
From 18 to 20 you can earn a Class A through DMV's Class A Young Adult Training Program after entry-level driver training and supervised driving time. Under 21, a CDL of any class can't be used across state lines, for hazardous materials or to drive a school bus.
If you hold a CDL from another state, DMV takes fingerprints for background checks. For an original Class A or B permit you certify that you meet the federal medical requirements. As of October 2026, DMV offices can't accept CDL or permit applications from non-citizens who aren't lawful permanent residents.
| CDL class | Minimum age | For |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | 21, or 18 to 20 through DMV's Class A Young Adult Training Program | Tractor-trailers and other heavy combinations |
| Class B | 18 | Buses and heavy single-unit trucks over 26,000 lbs |
| Class C | 18 | Smaller vehicles carrying 15 or more people, stretch limos or hazardous materials (hazmat only from 21) |
Studying for the CDL permit tests
The tests come from the Commercial Driver's Manual (CDL-10). Study the sections for the class and endorsements you need; sections 11 to 13 cover the skills test. The 20 practice questions on this site are for the car permit, so they won't prepare you for the commercial tests.
How much is the CDL permit test in New York?
Those are DMV's amounts as of October 2026. The fee to add the CDL to your license after you pass depends on your current license and when it expires.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application, covering all knowledge and endorsement tests taken together | $10.00 |
| Each required test not taken and passed at that first visit | $5.00 |
| CDL road test, paid before you can schedule it | $40.00 |
After the permit: training and the skills test
First-time CDL applicants must finish entry-level driver training with a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before the road test. You can't schedule the road test within 14 days of getting your permit, and you practice only with a supervisor licensed for that vehicle.
The pre-trip inspection starts at a random point on each test, and you may bring the inspection memory aid from page 11-12 of the manual if it has no notes on it. Testing in a vehicle with an automatic transmission or without full air brakes adds an E, L or Z restriction. Results go online after 6 p.m.; if you pass, a temporary CDL lasts 60 days and the photo CDL arrives in 3 to 4 weeks.
Sources: NYS DMV and 2 more. Checked October 2026.
- NYS DMV: Get a commercial driver license (CDL) ↗
- NYS DMV: Commercial driver licenses ↗
- NYS DMV: Learner permit and driver license class descriptions ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.