The steps
- Get a DOT medical card. A commercial driver must pass a physical with a medical examiner listed on FMCSA’s National Registry (49 CFR 391.41, 391.43); the certificate lasts up to 24 months.
- Pass the knowledge test and get a commercial learner’s permit (CLP). The CLP lets you practise with a qualified CDL holder beside you and is valid for no more than a year (49 CFR 383.25).
- Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before taking the skills test (383.25(e)).
- Complete entry-level driver training with a provider on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, if this is your first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade, or a first passenger, school bus or HazMat endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). 136 registered providers have a training location in Pennsylvania, 130 of them offering behind-the-wheel training.
- Take the skills test: vehicle inspection, basic control skills and an on-road test, in a vehicle of the class you want (49 CFR 383.113). Where it is given in Pennsylvania is listed below.
- Age. Driving across state lines requires being at least 21 (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)); a state may license drivers from 18 for driving inside the state only.
Where to take the CDL test in Pennsylvania
89 offices and test sites in Pennsylvania are on the official lists. The most are in Philadelphia (5), Harrisburg (2), Lancaster (2), Pittsburgh (2), Hermitage (1), Beaver Falls (1), New Castle (1), Allison Park (1), Milford (1), Tunkhannock (1). See all CDL testing and DMV offices in Pennsylvania, with a map and search by city or ZIP.
CDL schools in Pennsylvania
136 training providers registered with FMCSA list a location in Pennsylvania. The most are in Philadelphia (7), Altoona (4), Erie (3), Levittown (3), New Castle (2), Pittsburgh (2), Mount Pleasant (2), Cranberry (2), Latrobe (2), Mercersburg (2). See all CDL schools in Pennsylvania.
What a CDL costs in Pennsylvania
| Upgrade from a non-commercial license to a CDL, 7 to 12 months before the license expires | $43.50 |
|---|---|
| Upgrade, 13 to 24 months before expiration | $65.50 |
| Upgrade, 25 to 36 months before expiration | $87.50 |
| Upgrade, 37 to 48 months before expiration | $109.50 |
| Each additional commercial permit | $5.00 |
| Renew a 4-year CDL | $127.50 |
| Renew a 4-year CDL with HazMat | $149.50 |
| Upgrade a commercial class or endorsement | $21.50 |
| Upgrade to transport hazardous materials | $43.50 |
Source: Driver Licensing Fee Chart, Commercial Driver License Fees (July 2025), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Checked September 24, 2026. Training, the medical exam and third-party testers’ charges are separate.
Adding HazMat
The hazardous materials endorsement needs a TSA security threat assessment with fingerprints (49 CFR 1572). 17 TSA enrollment centers in Pennsylvania take HazMat applications. See the enrollment centers in Pennsylvania.