Indiana's CDL manual and DMV CDL Practice Tests

for all endorsements

Indiana's CDL Manual

Commercial Driver Handbook

How to Get A CDL in Indian Driving a regular car is one thing — operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is another. CDL Requirements in Indiana Now that you know what CDL class you need and whether or not you should get endorsements, let’s focus on whether you’re qualified to apply for a CDL in the state. Go through the list below and see how many of the boxes you can check off:

  • You are at least 18 years old (for intrastate trips) or 21 years old (for interstate trips and P, S, or H endorsements)
  • You had your Indiana operator’s license for at least a year
  • You have active driving privileges (your license should NOT be suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified)
  • You can provide a list of states where you were licensed to drive a commercial motor vehicle in the last decade (if you have held a CDL before)
  • You meet the medical requirements of the FMCSR
  • You are an American citizen or a permanent resident. If not, you can still qualify for a CDL in Indiana.

How to Get An Indiana CDL You can work towards your CDL once you have held your CLP for 14 days. Now here are the steps to getting your CDL in Indiana: 1.Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from an FMCSA-approved provider. You must comply with this requirement if any of the following is true:

  • It’s your initial application for a Class A or Class B CDL
  • You’re upgrading from a Class B to a Class A CDL
  • You’re applying for an S, P, or H endorsement for the first time

2.Schedule a CDL skills exam through the myBMV website. 3.Present the necessary documents, including:

  • Proof of identity
  • Driver’s license
  • Social Security Number
  • Proof of Indiana residency
  • Proof of citizenship or lawful residency
  • Proof of ELDT completion

4.Take and pass the CDL skills exam. It consists of 3 parts — vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road test. You must pass all segments. NOTE: It’s best to bring your own CMV to your skills test, especially the one you’ve been using to practice. You must ensure, however, that it meets the specification of your license type and endorsement (if any). If you don’t have any, you can rent one from your testing site. But be prepared to spend between $75 to $150 for the rental fee.

  1. Pay $35 for the CDL fee.
  2. Surrender your CLP.
  3. Receive your CDL.
  4. Congratulations! You are now a licensed commercial driver in Indiana.

DMV CDL Practice Tests

General Knowledge

The general knowledge test is the first of several tests that you will have to complete in order to get your CDL. The questions cover general information about commercial vehicles, driving, and vehicle inspections. The test has a total of 50 questions, and requires at least 40 correct answers to pass.

Air Brakes

You must have an Air brake endorsement on your driver's license to drive a vehicle equipped with an air brake system. This test will test your knowledge of the function, parts, and braking distance of air brakes. The test will consist of 25 questions, and at least 20 correct answers are needed to pass.

Combination

The combination endorsement allows you to drive a vehicle with a power unit and one trailer. This test will cover the "ins and outs" of operating articulated vehicles. The exam consists of 25 questions, and requires at least 20 correct to pass.

Hazardous Material

The Hazardous Material endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle containing items such as poisons, explosives, flammables, etc. You will also have to pass the TSA Hazardous Material Threat Assessment to get this endorsement. There are 30 questions, 24 correct required to pass.

Tanker

The Tanker endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank that is permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle. There are 20 questions, 16 correct required to pass.

Doubles / Triples

The Doubles/Triples endorsement is required for drivers to pull 2 trailers (doubles) or 3 trailers (triples) connected to a single power unit. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

Passenger

Bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement in order to operate a vehicle which seats 16 or more, including the driver. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

School Bus

School Bus Endorsement is required for any driver who operates a school bus. After the permit tests the training can be only completed by a local school district. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

Pre Trip Inspection

The Pre-Trip exam is an oral exam where you are expected to check the vehicle parts to insure it is safe for road use. The amount of parts you need to check increase with the size of the vehicle, and by type of vehicle.