Guide to Transferring a CDL to Ohio

A commercial driver’s license, or CDL, is required for any person operating a vehicle weighing more than 26,001 pounds, carrying hazardous materials or a vehicle carrying more than 16 passengers. If you are moving to Ohio and currently hold a valid CDL, you’ll need to transfer your CDL to Ohio as soon as you become an Ohio resident. The transfer process is overseen by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Review the Ohio Commercial Driver’s License Handbook. Transferring an out-of-state CDL to Ohio requires the applicant to retake written knowledge exams. Thus, you must study the Ohio CDL Manual to learn this state’s rules and regulations when it comes to operating a commercial vehicle.

Visit the local Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. Upon your arrival fill out the CDL application, and make sure you bring the following documents: current CDL, social security card, birth certificate, proof of Ohio residency and a medical examination report signed by a licensed physician.

Hand over the CDL application and all required documents. The Ohio BMV representative will review your application, and then perform a vision test. The state of Ohio requires all CDL drivers to have a minimum of 20/40 vision in each eye with or without corrective eyewear, and have a horizontal visual field of at least 70 degrees.

Take and pass the written general knowledge examination. This examination covers information found within the Ohio CDL manual. If you require a hazardous materials endorsement, you will be required to take a HazMat written exam as well as pass a criminal background check. Take note, you may also be required to take additional written examinations if you need to upgrade the class of your CDL or add certain endorsements.

Schedule a road skills test at a third party testing center or at a state operated CDL skills testing location. At the discretion of the Ohio BMV, you may be required to take all three road test examinations, which include a pre-trip inspection, off-road maneuvering exam as well as an on-road exam. The total fee for all three tests is $50, which must be paid prior to taking the exams.

Pay the necessary licensing fees after you have passed all required written and skill examinations. As of 2010, an Ohio CDL requires a $42 fee, and if you need to add any endorsements to the license you must pay an additional $43.

Study the Ohio CDL manual prior to arriving to the BMV office. If you need to upgrade or remove restrictions from the standard CDL, you will be required to take additional written examinations, thus study the entire manual.

Never lie on information within your application regarding CDL suspension or violations in your driving record.

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/cdl.stm#tog
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles: Commercial Driver License (CDL)

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/fees_for_services.stm
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles: Fees for Services

http://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/HSY7605.pdf
Ohio Department of Public Safety: Ohio Commercial Driver License Handbook