How to Get an Oregon CDL License

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers the driver’s license programs for the state of Oregon. Applicants must take a written knowledge test and a skills test to get a commercial driver’s license. The state provides a manual for preparing for the exam. Those who need training can take the written exam and then get a one-year permit for training purposes. Applicants who then take the skills/road test can get an Oregon CDL license and drive big trucks, buses and other commercial motor vehicles on the roads of Oregon.

Step 1:

Open the “DMV Offices” page on Oregon’s official government website at Oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/offices/index.shtml. You will need to visit one of these offices to take the commercial driver’s license written and hands-on tests.

Step 2:

Go to one of the Oregon DMV offices and get a copy of the Oregon CDL manual or access the manual/study guide online at Odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/36.pdf. Use this “Oregon Commercial Driver Manual” to prepare for the Oregon CDL test. In some cases, you may have additional endorsement tests. A CDL endorsement test is required only when you will be driving certain classes of vehicles or hauling certain cargo. For example, if you will be hauling hazardous materials, you need a HAZMAT endorsement.

Note: You need a medical certificate from a doctor to get a CDL license. Access the medical examination form online at Fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/forms/649f.pdf.

Step 3:

Take the CDL knowledge test at the Oregon DMV. If you are already ready for the CDL skills test and want to take it at the DMV, you can do that. But if you need to train on commercial vehicles, you can get an instructional permit that is valid for one year. However, if you do not have a permit, you cannot take the skills test through a third-party testing service.

Step 4:

Get Oregon CDL training. You may search for a certified truck driver training school by using the lists provided by the Professional Truck Driver Institute. Access the list of schools with certified programs in and around Oregon at Ptdi.org/schools/schools.aspx.

Of course, some drivers are needed for school and passenger buses. If you are interested in these jobs, then contact individual companies like Greyhound (visit corporate websites to find information) or local Oregon school districts.

Step 5:

Schedule a CDL skills test. You can do your test through the DMV or a third-party testing service. One advantage of using a third-party service is that the service might provide its own vehicle for testing. Otherwise, you need to get your own vehicle for testing purposes. Schools and employers sometimes provide a commercial vehicle for skills-test purposes.

Step 6:

Get your full Oregon CDL license by successfully completing the skills test. If testing with a third-party service, you will receive a certificate that you can take to the Oregon DMV when requesting your license.

Note: You may find Oregon CDL third-party testers at Oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/driverid/3rdpartytest.shtml.

Sources:

Oregon CDL Manual

Oregon Truck Driver Training Schools Certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute