How Long Is the CDL Written Test Good For?

Your commercial learner's permit (CLP) can be valid for no more than one year from the day it was first issued. Some states give you less, such as 180 days, so the date printed on your permit is the one that counts.

The federal rule lets a CLP stay valid for up to one year without retaking the general and endorsement knowledge tests. If your CLP runs out, some states, such as Alabama and Colorado, make you retake the written tests.

What the federal rule says

The rule is 49 CFR 383.25. It says the CLP "must be valid for no more than one year from the initial date of issuance without requiring the CLP holder to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests."

It also covers renewal: "CLPs issued for a period of less than one year may be renewed provided the CLP is not valid for more than one year from the date of initial issuance."

So there are two parts to remember:

• One year is the top limit, counted from the first issue date.
• A renewal does not reset the clock. A 180-day CLP renewed once ends at one year at most.

The 14-day wait

Federal rules also say the CLP holder is not eligible to take the CDL skills test in the first 14 days after the CLP is first issued. So plan for at least two weeks between your permit and your road test. Then book the skills test well before the CLP ends.

The rule also says that issuing a CLP is a precondition to the initial issuance of a CDL. For the full path, read our permit to license steps.

How states differ

States set their own CLP term inside the federal one-year limit. Here is what nine states say on their own official sites.

Other states vary. Some give 180 days, some give a year, and some allow one renewal while others do not. Check your state manual and your state licensing site before you plan your dates. Our guide to permit costs by state can help with the money side.

Your state also sets the number of questions and the passing score for the written test. The federal minimum passing score is 80 percent (49 CFR 383.135).

What to do with this

1. Find the issue date and the expiration date on your CLP.
2. Count 14 days from the issue date. That is the earliest day for your skills test.
3. Work backward from the expiration date. Book your skills test with room to spare, in case you fail once and need to retest.
4. If your state allows renewal, ask your licensing office what you need and what it costs.
5. If your state does not allow renewal, plan to apply again if the CLP runs out. Alabama and Colorado say you must retake the written tests.

Short on time before your permit ends? Study the tests you may have to retake, so a second try is not a surprise.

Try 10 exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual.

If you are still planning your first test, see how to pass the CDL permit test on the first try.