Commercial learner’s permit (CLP)

Scope

This regulation applies to all people who are applying for a CDL in order to operate a CMV in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce.

Regulatory citations

• 49 CFR 383.25 — Commercial learner’s permit (CLP)

Key definitions

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL): A license issued to an individual by a state or other jurisdiction of domicile, in accordance with the standards contained in 49 CFR 383, to an individual which authorizes the individual to operate a class of a commercial motor vehicle.
• Commercial learner’s permit (CLP): A permit issued to an individual by a state or other jurisdiction of domicile, in accordance with the standards in 49 CFR 383, which, when carried with a valid driver’s license issued by the same state or jurisdiction, authorizes the individual to operate a class of a commercial motor vehicle when accompanied by a holder of a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) for purposes of behind-the-wheel training. When issued to a CDL holder, a CLP serves as authorization for accompanied behind-the-wheel training in a CMV for which the holder’s current CDL is not valid.

Summary of requirements

A CLP:

• Must be issued before an individual receives an initial CDL. A CLP must also be issued prior to an upgrade of a CDL if the upgrade requires a skills test.
• Is a separate document from the individual’s driver’s license or CDL.
• Is valid for up to one year from the initial date of issuance without requiring the CLP holder to retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests. CLPs issued for less than one year may be renewed, provided the CLP is not valid for more than one year from the date of initial issuance.

CLP holders:

• Must have taken and passed a general knowledge test that meets the federal standards for the CMVs that they operate or expect to operate.
• Are not eligible to take the CDL skills test in the first 14 days after the initial issuance of the CLP.
• Must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license issued by the same jurisdiction that issued the CLP.
• May not operate a CMV transporting hazardous materials.
• Must be directly supervised at all times by an individual who possesses a valid CDL with the proper group and endorsement(s) necessary to operate the vehicle. “Directly supervised” means the CDL holder must be in the front seat next to the CLP holder or, in the case of a passenger vehicle, directly behind or in the first row behind the CLP holder.

Endorsements. The following endorsements are allowed on a CLP (all other endorsements are prohibited):