How long must I hold my CLP before the CDL road test?

Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 says a CLP holder is not eligible to take the CDL skills test in the first 14 days after the CLP is first issued. Your state may add its own steps, so ask your licensing agency.

Do I have to finish entry-level driver training before the road test?

For a first Class A or Class B CDL, or an upgrade to A or B, yes. 49 CFR 380.609 requires training from a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, and 49 CFR 383.71 says to finish it before the skills test. It applies to people who got a CLP on or after February 7, 2022. Some people are exempt, so check 49 CFR 380.603.

What if I take the road test in a truck with an automatic transmission or no air brakes?

Federal rule 49 CFR 383.95 says the state must put a restriction on your CDL. An automatic test truck means no manual transmission. A truck without air brakes means no air brake equipped CMV.

CDL Road Test: 3 Parts and What to Do First

The CDL road test is the skills test. It has three parts, taken in order: a vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must pass each part before you move to the next.

Federal rules say a permit (CLP) holder cannot take it in the first 14 days after the permit is first issued. If you are getting your first Class A or B CDL, or upgrading to A or B, you must also finish entry-level driver training first.

The three parts

The 2026 manual says to take the parts in the order listed, in the type of vehicle you want to be licensed to drive.

Part	What the examiner tests
1. Vehicle inspection	Is the vehicle safe to drive?
2. Basic vehicle control	Moving forward, backward and turning in a set area
3. On-road driving	Driving safely in a variety of traffic

Part 1: Vehicle inspection

You point to or touch each item, name it, and tell the examiner what you check and why. The manual says that if you do not name, point to and/or touch, and fully explain an item, you get no credit for it.

The manual also says you inspect one axle, but be ready to do all. You do not crawl under the vehicle. You inspect only the items on the CDL Vehicle Inspection checklist. You should use wheel chocks.

See our CDL pre-trip inspection checklist.

Part 2: Basic vehicle control

The 2026 manual lists four exercises: forward stop, straight-line backing, forward offset tracking, and reverse offset backing. The examiner scores pull-ups, encroachments, looks and final position.

An encroachment means touching or crossing a boundary line or cone. A look means opening your door or leaving your seat to check around the vehicle. The backing exercises allow some free pull-ups and looks. The examiner explains the limits. Your state may use a different set of exercises, and the exercises can be off-road or on the street, so ask your testing agency.

Part 3: On-road driving

You wear your safety belt, obey all signs, signals and laws, and finish without an accident or moving violation. The examiner scores specific maneuvers and general driving.

The manual lists turns, intersections, urban business driving, lane changes, expressway driving, a stop and start, curves, railroad crossings, and bridge or sign questions. School bus applicants also do a student discharge. If the route lacks a situation, you may be asked to tell the examiner what you would do.

What you must do before you can test

Hold your CLP for 14 days. 49 CFR 383.25 says the CLP holder is not eligible to take the CDL skills test in the first 14 days after initial issuance of the CLP.
Finish entry-level driver training (ELDT) if it applies. 49 CFR 380.609 covers anyone who applies for a first Class A or B CDL, or upgrades to A or B. It also covers a first P, S or H endorsement. Training must come from a provider on the Training Provider Registry. 49 CFR 383.71 says to finish it before the skills test for Class A or B, P or S, and before the knowledge test for H.
Check who is exempt. The rule applies to people who got a CLP on or after February 7, 2022. Section 380.603 lists exceptions, such as a restricted CDL under 383.3(e) through (g). Read our ELDT guide.

Your test vehicle matters

The older 2014 manual says the vehicle must meet the written description for the class you want. It adds that if you want to drive a vehicle with air brakes, the test vehicle must have them.

49 CFR 383.95 lists these restrictions. The state must mark your CLP or CDL if you:

If you	The restriction
Fail the air brake knowledge test, or test in a vehicle with no air brakes	No CMV with any type of air brakes
Test in a vehicle with air over hydraulic brakes	No CMV with a braking system operating fully on the air brake principle
Test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission	No CMV with a manual transmission
Test in a Group A combination with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection	No tractor-trailer connected by a fifth wheel that requires a Group A CDL
Take the P skills test in a Group B vehicle	No passenger vehicle requiring a Group A CDL
Take the P skills test in a Group C vehicle	No passenger vehicle requiring a Group A or B CDL

See Class A vs Class B CDL.

Test day steps

Do the inspection out loud. Name each item and say what you check it for.
Ask the examiner if you do not understand an exercise.
When an exercise ends, set the parking brake, shift to neutral or park, and sound the horn.
When you get out, set the parking brake and keep three points of contact.
If the examiner raises a hand, stop and return within the exercise lines.

The manual says forgetting the parking brake or opening the door while moving is an unsafe act. It may mean an automatic fail. The examiner may end the test if you do not follow instructions.

What your state sets

Booking, fees, retest rules and which exercises are used can vary by state. Check your state's page, such as Texas or Virginia, and then its licensing agency.

Pass the written test first

You need a CLP before any road test, and it starts with the written General Knowledge test. Try 10 exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual.