Military CDL Test Waiver

Act 133 of 2008 and Act 131 of 2020 allow the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to waive the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Knowledge and/or Skills Test for Pennsylvania residents who are active or reserve duty military or recent honorably discharged veterans. Provided those service members have at least two years' experience operating a commercial motor vehicle as part of their military job requirements. The waiver applies to CDL applicants who wish to operate vehicles similar to those they operated in the military.

Military members and recently separated veterans must first apply for a CDL by completing Form DL-31CD (PDF), "Application to Add/Extend/Remove Commercial Driver's License", and return it to PennDOT along with the DL-11CD (PDF), "Self Certification Form" and applicable fee. The applicant will be sent a Knowledge Test Authorization Letter. After receiving the Knowledge Test Authorization Letter, the applicant may visit a Driver License Center and Apply for a Knowledge and/or skills test waiver by submitting a completed DL-398 (PDF) form: "Military Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Test Waiver Application". For more information about the CDL Test Waiver and to find out if you are eligible, please refer to the Military Commercial Driver's License Testing Waiver Fact Sheet (PDF). Please visit the Locations Information Center to find a Driver License Center near you.

Please refer to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations ( 49 CFR 383.77).