Nevada CDL Requirements
Before you enroll, here is exactly what Nevada and the FMCSA expect from new commercial drivers.
Written and reviewed by the OTR Drive School training team, licensed CDL instructors in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last updated .
The requirements checklist
- Be at least 18 to drive within Nevada, or 21 for interstate routes and hazmat
- Hold a valid Nevada driver's license
- Pass a DOT physical and hold a current medical examiner's certificate
- Be cleared in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
- Complete FMCSA entry-level driver training (ELDT) with a registered provider
- Pass the written tests for your commercial learner's permit, then the skills test
The order things happen in
Most students start with the DOT physical, then study for and pass the written permit tests at the DMV. Once the commercial learner's permit is in hand, ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel training begin. After the required permit holding period, you take the skills test, which we administer in house as a third-party tester.
We guide you through each step, including the paperwork most people get stuck on.
Common eligibility questions
How old do I have to be to get a CDL in Nevada?
You can get a Nevada CDL at 18 for intrastate driving. Interstate routes, hazmat endorsements and most national carriers require you to be 21.
Do I need ELDT before my skills test?
Yes. Since February 2022, anyone getting a first CDL, upgrading class or adding certain endorsements must complete entry-level driver training with a provider on the FMCSA registry. OTR Drive School is a registered provider.
How long do I have to hold my learner's permit?
Nevada requires you to hold a commercial learner's permit for at least 14 days before taking the skills test.
Can I get a CDL with a driving record issue?
It depends on the offense and how recent it is. Certain DUI and serious traffic violations carry disqualification periods. Call us and we will tell you honestly where you stand before you pay anything.
Meet the requirements? Pick your program: Class A or Class B.
Sources
The requirements on this page come from the federal and state agencies that issue and regulate commercial licenses. Rules change, so we review this page against these sources regularly.
What our graduates say
Read 300+ 5-star reviews from drivers trained at our Las Vegas campus.
"Got my CDL and a job within 2 weeks. Best decision ever."
"I went from warehouse work to owner-operator. Changed my life completely."
"Professional instructors, great equipment, and they really care about your success."
Why drivers trust OTR Drive School
FMCSA registered ELDT provider
Our entry-level driver training is listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so your course hours count toward your CDL skills test.
Third-party certified tester
We are approved to administer the CDL skills test on site, which means you test on the same trucks and range you trained on.
Taught by working CDL instructors
Every class is led by licensed instructors with real over-the-road and local freight experience, not classroom-only trainers.
A real Las Vegas campus
6835 S Eastern Ave, Suite 130, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Come walk the yard, meet the instructors and see the equipment before you pay.
Questions about anything on this page? Call (702) 560-6362 or email info@otrdriveschool.com and a member of our training team will answer directly.
Not sure if you qualify?
Apply or call and we will check your eligibility in a few minutes, free.