While CDL transfers are common, the exact process can vary by state. Understanding the requirements before you move can help you avoid delays and keep your commercial driving privileges in good standing.

Do You Need to Transfer Your CDL After Moving?

In most situations, drivers who establish residency in a new state are required to obtain a CDL issued by that state.

Because commercial driving records are tied to a driver’s CDL, the new state generally becomes responsible for maintaining that record after the transfer is completed.

Drivers should review the requirements of their new state as soon as possible after moving, since transfer deadlines and procedures can vary.

Why Truck Drivers Transfer Their CDL

Drivers transfer their CDL for many reasons, including:

Accepting a job in another state
Relocating for family reasons
Purchasing a home in a new state
Leaving military service
Establishing permanent residency elsewhere

Regardless of the reason, transferring a CDL is often a required part of becoming a resident of a new state.

What Documents Are Needed to Transfer A CDL?

Requirements vary by state, but drivers are commonly asked to provide:

Their current CDL
Proof of identity
Proof of legal presence
Social Security documentation
Proof of residency in the new state
Current medical certification when required

Many licensing agencies require original documents rather than copies. Reviewing the document checklist provided by your new state’s licensing agency before your appointment can help prevent delays.

Will You Have to Retake CDL Tests?

That depends on the state and the status of your CDL. Many states allow drivers with a valid CDL to transfer their license without repeating the CDL skills test. However, additional testing may be required depending on:

The status of the CDL
The length of time since expiration, if applicable
Endorsements on the license
Medical certification status
State-specific requirements

Drivers should verify current transfer requirements with the licensing agency in their new state before scheduling an appointment.

What Happens to CDL Endorsements?

Many endorsements transfer with a CDL when the driver remains qualified for those endorsements, and the destination state recognizes them.

Common examples include:

Tank Vehicle
Passenger
School Bus
Doubles And Triples

Some endorsements may involve additional requirements during the transfer process. Hazardous Materials endorsements often require special attention because federal security requirements apply regardless of where the driver lives.

Drivers planning to transfer a CDL with a Hazmat endorsement should review current Transportation Security Administration requirements before beginning the transfer process.

Does Your DOT Medical Card Transfer?

Commercial drivers who are required to maintain a medical certificate should make sure their medical information is current before transferring a CDL.

States often review medical certification during the transfer process. Missing, expired, or outdated medical information can delay issuance of a new CDL.

Keeping medical certification current before moving can help avoid unnecessary complications.

How Long Do You Have to Transfer A CDL?

The answer depends on the state where you establish residency. Many states require new residents to obtain a state-issued driver’s license or CDL within a specified period after moving.

Because deadlines vary, drivers should review the requirements of their new state as soon as residency is established. Waiting too long can create additional paperwork, fees, or licensing complications.

What If Your CDL Has Expired?

An expired CDL can make the transfer process more complicated. Depending on the state and the length of time since expiration, drivers may be required to:

Complete written testing
Complete skills testing
Provide additional documentation
Pay additional fees

Drivers who know they will be relocating may find it easier to renew their CDL before moving rather than dealing with an expired license during the transfer process.

Can Military Drivers Transfer a CDL?

Yes. Military members frequently relocate and may qualify for military CDL programs or waiver opportunities depending on their experience and circumstances.

Available programs vary by state, so drivers should review the options available through their destination state’s licensing agency.

Common CDL Transfer Mistakes

Several common mistakes can slow the transfer process.

These include:

Waiting too long after moving
Arriving without required documents
Allowing a medical certificate to expire
Assuming every endorsement transfers automatically
Failing to update residency information
Not reviewing state-specific requirements before visiting a licensing office

A little preparation can help make the process much smoother.

What Happens After the Transfer Is Complete?

Once the transfer is approved, the new state becomes the official home of your CDL and commercial driving record.

Drivers can continue operating commercially under the new CDL while maintaining compliance with applicable state and federal requirements.

Although procedures vary by state, most CDL transfers are straightforward when drivers gather the required documentation, maintain current medical certification, and understand the requirements before beginning the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you transfer a CDL online?

Some states allow portions of the process to be completed online, but many CDL transfers still require an in-person visit to verify identity and documentation.

Do CDL endorsements transfer to another state?

Many endorsements transfer if the driver remains qualified and the destination state recognizes the endorsement. Additional requirements may apply in some situations.

Can you transfer an expired CDL?

Possibly. Requirements vary by state and may include written or skills testing depending on how long the CDL has been expired.

Does transferring a CDL affect your driving record?

No. Your commercial driving history remains associated with your CDL record when it is transferred to another state.

Can you hold two CDLs from different states?

No. Federal regulations allow drivers to hold only one Commercial Driver’s License at a time.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 5, 2026

The post What To Expect When Transferring Your CDL To Another State appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Currently, federal rules require drivers to be 21 or older to haul interstate, while 18-year-olds can drive intrastate with a “K” restriction on their CDLs. This restriction has caused confusion and citations for U.S. Custom Harvesters’ younger drivers, even though they have been legally permitted to travel between states to cut crops.

“U.S. Custom Harvesters told the agency that the exemption ‘has provided custom harvesting businesses with much-needed employees and drivers and has directly contributed to the development of quality, responsible truck drivers for America’s highways.’”

Previously, the company had a two-year provisional exemption that expired on October 3, 2025. FMCSA has now extended the exemption for five years, allowing drivers under 21 to continue crossing state lines through October 3, 2030.
“FMCSA is not aware of any evidence showing that the exemption has resulted in any degradation in safety,” the agency wrote. “Interstate operations for custom harvester drivers younger than 21 have been allowed since 1971 … FMCSA reviewed crash and inspection data of drivers who have operated under the 2018 exemption. FMCSA does not have information to conclude that the 2018 exemption and subsequent renewal resulted in a degradation of safety. FMCSA concludes that renewing the exemption for five years will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be achieved without the exemption …”

This ruling ensures that young drivers who are gaining experience in custom harvesting operations can continue contributing to the agriculture industry while operating safely across multiple states, benefiting farmers, trucking companies, and the drivers themselves.

Source: Land Line Media

The post FMCSA Approves Multi-State Exemption for Under-21 Custom Harvester Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The U.S. Department of Transportation opened the door for feedback this week. In a notice published Monday, July 21, in the Federal Register, the DOT called on the public—especially those who keep America moving—to weigh in on what should take priority in the next surface transportation bill.

“The Request for Information is intended to gather feedback, ideas and recommendations to help inform legislative priorities and ensure future infrastructure programs focus on delivering safe and efficient surface transportation, without attaching unnecessary requirements,” the DOT stated in the notice.
“The reauthorization effort will focus on modernizing America’s infrastructure by improving safety, streamlining federal processes, promoting economic growth and strengthening partnerships.”

The current highway bill will expire on September 30, 2026, but lawmakers are already laying the groundwork. That’s why now is the time for truck drivers to share what matters most.

Back in March, Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of OOIDA, addressed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to outline truckers’ top concerns. He’ll take those same priorities to the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation on Tuesday, July 22.

At the March hearing, Pugh emphasized several key issues for drivers across the country:

• More safe and accessible truck parking
• Guaranteed restroom access
• Smarter, more effective driver training
• Broker transparency
• Realistic hours-of-service rules

OOIDA also reiterated its opposition to changes that could make life harder for drivers—such as increases to truck size and weight limits, raising minimum insurance requirements, lowering the CDL age for interstate driving, or adding more one-size-fits-all mandates.

How Drivers Can Share Their Feedback

If you’re a trucker with opinions on any of these topics—or others that impact your job—you can have your say.

Submit your comments by going to Regulations.gov and entering Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0468 in the search bar. The public comment window closes on August 20, 2025.

Source: Land Line

The post Truckers, Your Voice Matters in the Next Highway Bill appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Starting November 18, state driver licensing authorities will be mandated to revoke the CDL or CLP privileges of individuals listed as “prohibited” in the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. To regain these privileges, affected drivers must meet “return-to-duty requirements.”

The FMCSA’s updates to the Clearinghouse rules were implemented in two phases. The first phase, effective from 2020, obligated employers to check the Clearinghouse for drug and alcohol violations among current and potential employees before allowing them behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. Employers must also perform annual checks on current employees.

The second phase enforces state driver licensing agencies to:

• Access the Clearinghouse before issuing, renewing, upgrading, or transferring CDLs and before issuing or upgrading CLPs.

• Examine a driver’s records upon receiving notification from FMCSA about a status change in the Clearinghouse.

FMCSA asserts that this rule “will improve the enforcement of the current driving prohibition by requiring that states refrain from issuing, renewing, transferring or upgrading the CLP or CDL of affected drivers.”

According to the September 2024 Clearinghouse Report, 178,839 CLP and CDL holders currently have a prohibited status, with 136,224 yet to initiate the return-to-duty process.

After the November 18 compliance deadline, drivers maintaining a prohibited status may face fines or other obligations imposed by the state of their CDL issuance before resuming their commercial driving rights.

It’s crucial to understand that the compliance date signifies when states must adhere to the new rule, not necessarily when they will start downgrading licenses. States with legislative permission can voluntarily query the Clearinghouse and downgrade the licenses of prohibited drivers before the official compliance date.

The CMCI, part of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s drug and alcohol consortium, notes that states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas have already initiated this process.

Source: Land Line

The post New Regulations Could Lead to CDL and CLP Revocations for Thousands of Drivers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.