How to Get a CDL in Minnesota: Step-by-Step Guide

A commercial driver's license opens the door to some of the best-paying driving jobs in Minnesota, from hauling freight between Twin Cities hubs to running long-haul routes across the country. But the path to getting one confuses a lot of people, partly because the rules changed in recent years and partly because the official information is scattered across a dozen government pages.

This guide pulls it all together. You'll learn exactly how to get a CDL in Minnesota, step by step: the license classes, the requirements, the training you now have to complete, what it costs, and how long it takes. Everything here matches the current Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) and federal rules.

We'll also be honest about something most guides skip. A CDL is a real investment of time and money, and depending on the driving work you want, you might not need one to start earning at all. At Peak Transport, we run middle-mile routes across the Twin Cities and hire both CDL and non-CDL drivers, so we'll show you both paths and let you choose.

Do You Actually Need a CDL?

Before you spend thousands of dollars, it's worth asking whether you need a CDL for the job you want. You need a CDL to drive a vehicle with a gross weight rating over 26,000 pounds, to haul certain hazardous materials, or to carry 16 or more passengers.

Plenty of solid driving jobs fall below that line. Cargo vans, sprinter vans, and many box trucks come in under 26,000 pounds, which means you can drive them with a regular Minnesota license. If your goal is local delivery or middle-mile work, you may be able to start right away in a non-CDL box truck job and earn while you decide whether the CDL upgrade is worth it.

If you do need or want the full commercial license, here's the complete roadmap.

CDL Classes in Minnesota: A, B, and C

Minnesota issues three classes of commercial license, and which one you need depends on the vehicle you'll drive. Here's how they break down:

Class	What It Covers	Typical Vehicles
Class A	Combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001+ lbs, towing a unit over 10,000 lbs	Tractor-trailers, semis
Class B	A single vehicle rated 26,001+ lbs, or towing a unit under 10,000 lbs	Large straight trucks, buses, dump trucks
Class C	Vehicles under 26,001 lbs that carry hazardous materials or 16+ passengers	Small hazmat vehicles, passenger vans

Class A is the most versatile of the three because it also lets you operate most Class B and Class C vehicles with the right endorsements. Most over-the-road truckers hold a Class A, while many local and straight-truck drivers operate on a Class B.

Minnesota CDL Requirements

Before you can begin, you need to meet a few baseline requirements set by the state and the federal government:

• Age: You must be at least 18 to drive commercially within Minnesota (intrastate) and at least 21 to drive across state lines (interstate) or haul hazardous materials.
• A valid Minnesota license: You need a regular driver's license before upgrading to a commercial one.
• Proof of Minnesota residency: Documents like a W2, a current lease, a mortgage, or a vehicle title issued within the past year.
• A DOT physical: You must pass a Department of Transportation medical exam and carry a valid medical certificate.

That medical exam trips up some applicants, so it's worth understanding ahead of time. Our guide to DOT physical requirements breaks down what examiners check and how to prepare.

How to Get a CDL in Minnesota, Step by Step

With the requirements met, here is the actual process from start to finish. Follow these six steps in order.

1. Complete ELDT theory training. Since February 2022, all first-time CDL applicants must finish federally mandated Entry-Level Driver Training before testing. The classroom (theory) portion can be done first, through a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
2. Pass the knowledge test and get your CLP. Study the Minnesota CDL manual, then pass the written knowledge tests for your class and endorsements with a score of at least 80%. That earns you a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
3. Pass your DOT physical. Get examined by a certified medical examiner from the FMCSA National Registry and submit your medical certificate to DVS.
4. Hold your CLP and finish behind-the-wheel training. Federal rules require you to hold the CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test. During this time, complete the behind-the-wheel portion of your ELDT.
5. Pass the skills test. The CDL skills test has three parts: a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control maneuvers, and an on-road driving test. You have 180 days from getting your CLP to pass it.
6. Receive your Minnesota CDL. Once you pass, DVS issues your commercial license. It expires on your birthday and renews every four years.

The official Minnesota DVS commercial license page lists exam stations and the documents to bring to each step.

What It Costs to Get a CDL in Minnesota

The CDL itself is cheap. The training is where the real money goes. Here's a realistic breakdown:

Item	Cost
Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)	$26.75
Government license fees	~$72
ELDT training program (MN colleges)	$3,000–$7,000
DOT physical exam	$80–$150 (varies by clinic)
Knowledge test retake (3rd+)	$10
Road test retake (3rd+)	$20

The training cost is the big one, and it's why many new drivers look for paid training programs or employers who help cover it. Some Minnesota carriers sponsor CDL training in exchange for a work commitment, a path we cover in the context of CDL jobs with no prior experience.

CDL Endorsements You Can Add

A base CDL lets you drive the vehicle class you tested for, but endorsements unlock specific kinds of freight and pay. Each one requires passing an extra knowledge test, and some require ELDT too. The common ones are:

• H (Hazmat): Haul hazardous materials. Requires a knowledge test, a TSA background check, and fingerprinting.
• N (Tanker): Drive tank vehicles carrying liquids or gases.
• P (Passenger): Carry passengers, such as on a bus.
• S (School Bus): Drive a school bus; requires the P endorsement first.
• T (Doubles/Triples): Pull multiple trailers.
• X (Combined Hazmat and Tanker): Covers both H and N for tanker loads of hazardous material.

You don't need every endorsement to start. Most new drivers test for the base class first and add endorsements later as their work requires them. Hazmat and passenger endorsements, in particular, open higher-paying lanes once you have some experience.

How Long Does It Take?

The timeline depends mostly on your training schedule. A full-time CDL program at a Minnesota college or truck driving school typically runs three to seven weeks. Part-time programs stretch longer.

Add the mandatory 14-day CLP holding period, which often overlaps with behind-the-wheel training, plus scheduling time for your skills test. Most motivated applicants go from starting ELDT to holding a CDL in roughly four to eight weeks. The biggest delays usually come from test scheduling and retakes, not the training itself, so booking your exam slots early can save you a week or more.

Starting to Drive Without a CDL

Here's the path a lot of new drivers overlook. You don't have to wait until you've earned a CDL to start a driving career and a paycheck. Many local delivery and middle-mile jobs use vehicles light enough to drive on a regular license.

Starting in a non-CDL role has real advantages. You earn money immediately instead of paying for school. You build a clean commercial driving history that employers value. And you get a feel for the work before committing thousands of dollars to a CDL you might not end up needing.

At Peak Transport, we hire drivers for exactly this kind of work across the Twin Cities. If you want to get started, browse non-CDL box truck jobs in Minneapolis or our broader box truck jobs in Minneapolis and see what's open. Many of our drivers start without a CDL and pursue one later once they know it fits their goals. You can also learn about box truck jobs that require no CDL to understand the full range of options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a CDL in Minnesota?

Most applicants finish in about four to eight weeks. A full-time ELDT program runs three to seven weeks, plus the required 14-day learner's permit holding period and time to schedule your skills test. Part-time training takes longer.

How much does a CDL cost in Minnesota?

The permit costs $26.75 and government license fees run about $72. The big expense is ELDT training, which costs $3,000 to $7,000 at Minnesota colleges and schools, plus $80 to $150 for the DOT physical.

Do you need ELDT to get a CDL in Minnesota?

Yes. Since February 2022, federal law requires first-time CDL applicants to complete Entry-Level Driver Training through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. It also applies to Class A or B upgrades and certain endorsements.

What is the difference between a Class A and Class B CDL?

A Class A CDL covers combination vehicles like tractor-trailers, with a combined weight rating over 26,000 pounds towing a heavy unit. A Class B covers large single vehicles like straight trucks and buses. Class A is more versatile and also lets you operate many Class B vehicles.

Can you drive a box truck in Minnesota without a CDL?

Yes, if the truck is rated under 26,001 pounds and isn't carrying hazardous materials or 16-plus passengers. Many box trucks, cargo vans, and sprinter vans fall under that limit, so you can drive them with a regular Minnesota license.

What disqualifies you from getting a CDL in Minnesota?

Common disqualifiers include certain serious driving offenses like DUIs, a suspended or revoked license, failing the DOT physical, or not meeting the age and residency rules. Some hazmat-related convictions can also block the H endorsement specifically. A clean record makes the whole process smoother.

Do truck drivers in Minnesota earn good money?

They can. Heavy and tractor-trailer drivers earn solid wages, and pay rises with experience and endorsements. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for commercial drivers remains strong, which keeps both CDL and non-CDL local driving jobs widely available.

Your Next Step Toward a Driving Career

Now you know how to get a CDL in Minnesota: meet the age and residency requirements, pass your DOT physical, complete ELDT, earn your learner's permit, hold it 14 days, and pass the skills test. It's a clear path, even if it takes a few weeks and a real investment to walk it. But it isn't the only way into a driving career. If you'd rather start earning now and decide on the CDL later, plenty of local box-truck and middle-mile jobs are open to drivers without one. At Peak Transport, we hire across the Twin Cities for both, so whichever path you choose, there's a route into the cab waiting for you.