If you hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and move to a new state, the federal rule on what to do and how fast is 49 CFR 383.71(c), "License transfer." This explainer reads that paragraph, and the matching State duties in 383.73(c), as they stand in the eCFR. It does not describe a rule change. It covers drivers domiciled in a State; non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs have their own rules in 383.71(f) and 383.73(f), which are not covered here. Your new State's licensing agency runs the actual transfer and may add its own steps.
How long do I have after moving?
30 days. 383.71(c) states: "When applying to transfer a CDL from one State of domicile to a new State of domicile, an applicant must apply for a CDL from the new State of domicile within no more than 30 days after establishing his/her new domicile."
The clock runs from when you establish the new domicile. 383.5 defines State of domicile as "that 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."
What do I have to give the new State?
383.71(c) lists what the applicant must do:
- "Provide to the new State of domicile the certifications contained in paragraphs (b)(1) and (5) of this section". Paragraph (b)(1) is the certification about the type of commerce you operate in; paragraph (b)(5) is the certification that you are "not subject to any disqualification under § 383.51, or any license disqualification under State law, and that he/she does not have a driver's license from more than one State or jurisdiction."
- "Provide to the new State of domicile updated information as specified in subpart J of this part".
- Meet the hazardous materials requirements if you want to keep that endorsement (see below).
- "Surrender the CDL from the old State of domicile to the new State of domicile".
- "Provide the names of all States where the applicant has previously been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the previous 10 years."
- "Provide to the State proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency as specified in Table 1 of this section, or be registered under paragraph (f) of this section."
- "Provide proof to the State that this is his/her State of domicile," where "Acceptable proof of domicile is a document with the person's name and residential address within the State, such as a government issued tax form."
Why must the old CDL be surrendered?
Because a driver may hold only one license. 383.21 states: "No person who operates a commercial motor vehicle shall at any time have more than one driver's license." Under 383.73(c)(6), the new State must "Require the applicant to surrender the CDL issued by the applicant's previous State of domicile".
What happens to a hazmat (H) endorsement?
To keep it, 383.71(c)(3) says the applicant "must comply with the requirements specified in paragraph (b)(8) of this section and State requirements as specified in § 383.73(c)(4)". Paragraph (b)(8) points to the Transportation Security Administration requirements in 49 CFR part 1572.
Under 383.73(c)(4), the new State must "ensure that the driver has, within the 2 years preceding the transfer, either" "Passed the test for such endorsement specified in § 383.121", or "Successfully completed a hazardous materials test or training that is given by a third party and that is deemed by the State to substantially cover the same knowledge base as that described in § 383.121".
What does the new State check before issuing the CDL?
383.73(c) lists the State's steps before "issuing a CDL to a person who has a CDL from another State". Among them:
- a check of the driver's record under 383.73(b)(3);
- "If not previously done, complete the Social Security Number verification required by paragraph (g) of this section";
- for drivers who certified to non-excepted interstate commerce under 383.71(b)(1)(i), verifying from the CDLIS driver record "that the medical certification status of driver is 'certified'";
- a request to the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse; if the State is notified that the applicant is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle under 382.501(a), "the State must not transfer the CDL."
The State must also "Make the CDL valid for no more than 8 years from the date of issuance" (383.73(c)(9)).
Where to study this
Related CDL rules, such as the one-license rule in 383.21, the commercial learner's permit and disqualifications, are summarized in our CDL standards study guide, with a practice test. The guide does not cover CDL transfers. The practice questions on goraedu are not the State knowledge test.