When do you need a Michigan Commercial Drivers License

The Michigan Department of State offers a standard and enhanced Michigan commercial drivers license (CDL). The enhanced CDL is an attractive alternative to the standard CDL because it allows you to re-enter the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean without showing additional identity or citizenship documents at the border.

  • With a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
  • Towing a trailer or other vehicles with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
  • Designed to transport 16 or more people (including the driver)
  • Carrying hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding

Drivers between 18 and 21 can operate a commercial vehicle only in Michigan. You must be at least 21 to operate a commercial vehicle across state lines or to transport hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding.

How to apply for a Michigan Commercial Drivers License

To apply for a commercial driver’s license, visit a Secretary of State office and provide:

  • Your current valid Michigan driver’s license
  • Proof of legal presence in the United States
  • Proof of Social Security number

If applying for a hazardous materials endorsement, you must also provide proof of a Federal Security Threat Assessment.

At your visit, you will need to:

  1. Complete the Commercial Driver’s License Certification form, which includes a statement certifying that you meet medical and driver qualifications.If your physical condition has changed since your last driver’s license renewal and may affect your ability to drive, you may need a special form from the branch office for your physician to fill out before you can apply for your license.
  2. Meet driver record eligibility requirements as determined by Secretary of State staff.
  3. Pass the required CDL endorsement written knowledge and vision tests.To obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), you must pass all required knowledge tests. If you do not pass a knowledge test on your first attempt, you must wait one day to retake the test. There is a one-day wait period for any subsequent retest.
  4. Pay your CDL fees.

Testing Requirements for Michigan Commercial Drivers License:

You will be required to take one or more knowledge tests based on the type of CDL you are applying for and the cargo you will be transporting. All CDL knowledge tests are in written form at a computer testing station. A minimum score of 80 percent is required to pass each test. Anyone applying for the H-Hazardous Materials or S-School Bus endorsement must also pass a written knowledge test. You can only take one test per day from each testing category. Use the  Michigan CDL Manual as your study guide.

CDL Group A:

  • 70 questions, plus a 20-question combination vehicle test

CDL Group B and CDL Group C:

  • 50 questions on each test

Commercial Drivers license endorsements:

20 questions for the following endorsements.

  • T – Double Trailers 
  • P – Passenger – For vehicles designed to carry 16 or more people 
  • N – Tank Vehicles – For vehicles designed to haul liquids or liquefied gases in bulk in permanently mounted tanks or portable tanks rated at 1,000 gallons or more
  • S – School Bus – For commercial motor vehicles used to transport pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students from home to school, school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events

25 questions for the following endorsements:

Air brakes: (The vehicle you use for the skills test must be equipped with air brakes. If you do not pass the air-brake test or fail to provide a properly equipped vehicle, you will be restricted from operating vehicles with air brakes.)

30 questions for the following endorsements:

  • H – Hazardous Materials – To carry hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards

How much does a Michigan Commercial Drivers License cost?

  • $18 for a new photo license ($33 if you have an enhanced license)
  • $5 for each endorsement

Requirements to get an Enhanced Michigan Commercial License

Finally, Suppose you want to be able to enter Canada or Mexico. You will need the enhanced Michigan Commercial Driver’s License version in that case. Click the highlighted link to see your additional requirements for an enhanced license.