Tennessee · Permit testDo you need a CDL in Tennessee?
You do for a commercial motor vehicle, which the manual defines by weight, and for some smaller vehicles too:
- A vehicle or combination weighing 26,001 pounds or more
- A vehicle carrying hazardous materials
- A vehicle carrying sixteen or more people, driver included
- A school bus
Class A, B or C depends on the gross vehicle weight rating, the gross combination weight rating and what you carry. A CDL also covers Class D vehicles, but a motorcycle needs a Class M added, as in Class AM.
What do a Tennessee CDL permit and license cost?
From the Department’s fee page:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Class A learner permit | $14 |
| Class B or C learner permit | $13 |
| Class A license | $70 |
| Class B or C license | $62 |
| Tanker endorsement | $8.50 |
| Passenger endorsement | $8.50 |
| Hazardous materials endorsement | $8.50 |
| Doubles and triples endorsement | $8.50 |
| School bus endorsement | $26 |
With a motorcycle added, Class A costs $97 and Class B or C $89.
What to bring for a commercial license
Beyond the usual identity documents, the manual’s checklist says you may also need:
- A valid U.S. Department of Transportation medical card
- Proof of Tennessee domicile, with strict limits on which documents count and no P.O. boxes
- A Social Security number. Federal rules require one, and the affidavit for people without a number isn’t allowed
- For school bus drivers: Form 2-C for a public school, or a school letter for a private one
Booking the commercial road skills test
The locations page gives two ways: call 615-502-4179, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time, or use a certified third party tester, which may charge extra fees.
How to study for the commercial tests
The Commercial Driver License Manual has the detail you need for the commercial tests, so study from it. The car manual and this site’s practice questions are for the Class D test and don’t cover commercial vehicles.
Sources: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and 2 more. Checked November 2026.
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security: Comprehensive Driver License Manual (PDF, information as of July 1, 2022) ↗
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security: Driver services fees ↗
- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security: Driver services locations ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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