Some people preparing for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) train in a State where they do not live. The practical question is whether they can take the driving skills test where they trained, or have to go back home. The federal answer is in 49 CFR 383.79, as it stands in the eCFR. This explainer does not describe a rule change. Check with the driver licensing agency of your State of domicile too.
What is a "State of domicile"?
383.5 defines it as the "State where a person has his/her true, fixed, and permanent home and principal residence and to which he/she has the intention of returning whenever he/she is absent." 383.5 describes a commercial learner's permit (CLP) as "a permit issued to an individual by a State or other jurisdiction of domicile," and 383.79(a)(1) calls the State of domicile the "licensing State."
Can the State where I trained give me the skills test?
It may. 383.79(a)(1) says: "A State may administer its driving skills test, in accordance with subparts F, G, and H of this part, to a person who has taken training in that State and is to be licensed in another United States jurisdiction (i.e., his or her State of domicile)."
Note the word "may": the rule allows the training State to test you; it does not require that State to do so. Paragraph (a) speaks only of the driving skills test for out-of-State trainees; it does not mention the knowledge test.
How do the results get to my home State?
The testing State sends them. 383.79(a)(1) continues: "Such test results must be transmitted electronically directly from the testing State to the licensing State in a direct, efficient and secure manner."
Does my home State have to accept the result?
Yes. 383.79(a)(2): "The State of domicile of a CDL applicant must accept the results of a driving skills test administered to the applicant by any other State, in accordance with subparts F, G, and H of this part, in fulfillment of the applicant's testing requirements under § 383.71, and the State's test administration requirements under § 383.73." The accepted result counts toward your testing requirements under 383.71 and your home State's test administration requirements under 383.73.
What about active-duty service members?
383.79(b) covers a different case: "An active-duty military service member may apply for a CLP or a CDL in the State where the individual is stationed but not domiciled if the requirements of this section are met."
Under 383.79(b)(1)(i), the State of duty station may accept such an application only "Upon prior agreement with the State of domicile," and only from a service member who:
- "Is regularly employed or was regularly employed within the last year in a military position requiring operation of a CMV";
- "Has a valid driver's license from his or her State of domicile";
- "Has a valid active-duty military identification card"; and
- "Has a current copy of either the service member's military leave and earnings statement, or his or her orders."
The State of duty station may then give the knowledge and driving skills tests "if the State of domicile requires those tests," or waive them under 383.77 "if the State of domicile has exercised the option to waive those tests" (383.79(b)(1)(ii)). It must send the application, supporting documents and any test results to the State of domicile "by a direct, secure, and efficient electronic system" (383.79(b)(1)(iii)). Under 383.79(b)(2), the State of domicile "may" accept them and "Issue the applicant a CLP or CDL."
Where to practice
The CLP, CDL testing and disqualification rules in Part 383 are quoted in our CDL standards study guide. For who reports entry-level driver training completion and what the State checks before your skills test, see our explainer on how CDL entry-level driver training is reported. goraedu does not issue or test for CDLs, and our questions are not a State CDL exam.