Age

You must be age 21 to drive a commercial motor vehicle across state lines (interstate).   You may drive a commercial motor vehicle in Michigan (intrastate) at age 18.  To transport hazardous materials in a quantity that requires the vehicle be marked or placarded, you must be age 21 or older and present a Federal Security Threat Assessment.  For more information about the Federal Security Threat Assessment, click here.

Driving Record

Before you can obtain an original CDL, you must qualify for the license based on your driving record.  Any of the following will disqualify you from obtaining a CDL:

• Inability to make the necessary certifications contained on the CDL Certification Form, BFS-103 (Appendix A of the Michigan Commercial Driver License Manual).
• Having a license from more than one state.
• A current suspension, revocation, denial, or cancellation of your license.
• Conviction of any six-point violation in the 24 months immediately preceding application.
• Conviction for operating a commercial motor vehicle while impaired in the 24 months immediately preceding application.
• A suspension or revocation in the 36 months immediately preceding application. 
• Suspensions for Failure to Appear in Court (FAC), Failure to Comply with a Judgment (FCJ), failure to appear for re-examination, financial responsibility, non-sufficient funds checks, and a suspension or revocation for a temporary medical condition do not disqualify an applicant for a CDL.

Medical and Physical Requirements

Unless exempt, you need to comply with federal or state medical/physical requirements before receiving a CDL. When applying for your CDL, you will sign a statement that says all necessary medical/physical requirements have been met. Before taking any CDL skills tests, you must provide a valid medical examiner's card or medical waiver card to your examiner which allows you to operate your commercial motor vehicle. Ask your employer about these medical/physical requirements.

How Can I Get Additional Information on Medical/Physical Requirements?

For information on:

Intrastate (in Michigan) medical/physical requirements and state commercial vehicle rules and regulations, contact:                 

Michigan Trucking Association
1131 Centennial Way
Lansing, MI  48917
(517) 321-1951
www.mitrucking.org

Interstate (across state lines) medical/physical requirements and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, contact:  

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA )

219 W. Allegan St., Room 219

Lansing, Michigan 48933

Telephone: (517) 853-5990.

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Note: The FMCSA (Michigan Division) does not distribute medical forms or rulebooks.  Forms are available on the FMCSA website listed above.

School bus medical/physical requirements, contact:   

Michigan Department of Education

Office of School Support Services

P.O. Box 30008

Lansing, Michigan 48909

Telephone:   (517) 373-6388

www.michigan.gov/mde