Trucking Careers · Nationwide · October 28, 2026

How to Renew a CDL: A Guide for Truck Drivers Keeping Their License Active

By Big Rig Daily Staff

A CDL can be valid for no more than 8 years under federal rules. To renew, a state checks the trucker's driving record, medical certification status and the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, and sets its own fees and forms.

Update, 4:53 a.m. PT Oct. 28, 2026: Added a section on renewing a non-domiciled CDL, a note that state document lists vary, and answers on renewing online and on cost.

Renewing a CDL is mostly paperwork, but truck drivers who let one piece slip can lose driving privileges. Federal rules set the basics every state must follow, while the details, fees and deadlines come from each state.

This guide covers the federal side of renewal, keeping the medical card current, renewing a hazmat endorsement and what to ask about an expired license. It is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm the steps with your state licensing agency.

How long a CDL lasts

Under 49 CFR 383.73(d)(6), a state must make a renewed CDL valid for no more than 8 years from the date of issuance. States can set a shorter cycle, so the expiration date printed on the license is the one to plan around.

A hazardous materials endorsement runs on its own clock. Under 49 CFR 383.141(d), states must require it to be renewed every 5 years or less, so the holder goes through a TSA security screening at least every 5 years.

Renewing a non-domiciled CDL

The 8 year limit does not apply to a non-domiciled CDL. Under FMCSA's final rule, which took effect March 16, 2026, a non-domiciled CLP or CDL may not stay valid longer than the Admit Until Date on the holder's I-94 or 1 year, whichever is sooner. If the I-94 shows no end date or "D/S," the limit is 1 year, according to FMCSA's guidance on 49 CFR 383.73(f)(2)(iv).

The rule also requires the applicant to appear in person at each renewal. Eligibility is limited to people in H-2A, H-2B or E-2 status, who must show an unexpired foreign passport and an unexpired I-94 or I-94A at renewal. Rules can change, so confirm the current status with FMCSA and the state licensing agency before applying.

What federal rules require at renewal

What the applicant provides

Under 49 CFR 383.71(d), a person renewing a CDL must:

• Make the required certifications, including the type of driving he or she does and that he or she is not disqualified and does not hold a license from more than one state.
• Give the state updated license information.
• List every state where he or she has held any kind of driver's license during the previous 10 years.
• Provide proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency, or the lawful status documents the rule requires for non-domiciled applicants.
• Provide proof that the renewing state is his or her state of domicile, such as a government issued tax form with a name and home address in that state.

This is the federal minimum list. State document lists vary, and some states may use records already on file, so the state licensing agency's renewal page shows what it asks for at the counter or online.

Self-certifying the type of driving

The certification of driving type comes from 49 CFR 383.71(b)(1). There are four choices:

• Non-excepted interstate: drives across state lines and must have a medical examiner's certificate.
• Excepted interstate: drives across state lines only in operations federal rules excuse from that certificate.
• Non-excepted intrastate: drives only within one state under that state's qualification rules.
• Excepted intrastate: drives only within one state in operations the state excuses from some or all of those rules.

The category decides whether the state expects a current medical certification on file.

What the state checks

Before renewing, 49 CFR 383.73(d) requires the state to check the applicant's driving record, confirm that a non-excepted interstate driver's medical status is "certified," and verify Social Security information if it was not done before. Since November 18, 2024, the state must also check the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. If that check shows the applicant is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle, the state must not renew the CDL or hazmat endorsement.

Keeping the medical card current

For most interstate truckers, the medical certification is the piece most likely to cause trouble between renewals.

What happens if it lapses

Under 49 CFR 383.73(o)(4), when a driver's medical certification expires, the state must notify the driver that CDL privileges will be removed unless he or she is examined and certified again, or changes the self-certification to excepted or intrastate driving where the state allows it. The state must then complete the downgrade within 60 days of the status becoming "not certified."

How exam results reach the state now

Under the federal National Registry II system, states were required to begin receiving medical exam results electronically from FMCSA by June 23, 2025. According to FMCSA's driver guidance, in states that have made the switch, CDL holders no longer have to hand a paper medical certificate to the licensing agency, and the result is posted to the driver's record.

FMCSA also says some states had not finished that switch, and drivers licensed in those states should keep submitting the paper certificate. FMCSA suggests getting the physical well before the current certificate expires, so there is time to fix any error in how the result is posted.

The exam itself, including vision, hearing and how long a card lasts, is covered in the DOT physical and medical card guide.

Renewing a hazmat endorsement

The security threat assessment

Under 49 CFR 383.141, a state may not renew a hazmat endorsement unless TSA has found the person is not a security risk, or the person holds a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential, known as a TWIC. The state must notify the holder at least 60 days before the CDL or endorsement expires. Under 49 CFR 383.141(c), that notice must advise filing a renewal application as soon as possible, but not later than 30 days before the endorsement expires. TSA's own rule, 49 CFR 1572.13(b), says the notice must tell the holder to start the security threat assessment no later than 60 days before the endorsement expires. Under 49 CFR 383.73(d), the state must also require the knowledge test for the endorsement before renewing it.

TSA recommends enrolling for the security threat assessment, including renewals, at least 60 days before a decision is needed, and says processing for some applicants may take more than 45 days. Under 49 CFR 1572.13(c), a state may extend the endorsement's expiration by 90 days if TSA has not finished its decision in time. Any further extension needs TSA's approval in advance.

The fee

As of Oct. 28, 2026, TSA lists the fee for new and renewing hazmat applicants at $88.25, after an FBI background check fee increase effective October 1, 2026. Applicants who already hold a valid TWIC pay a reduced rate of $41, in states that accept it. TSA says applicants from Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin should contact their local motor vehicle agency for application and fingerprinting.

What if a CDL has already expired?

The federal renewal rules do not set a grace period or retesting requirement for an expired CDL, so the first call should be to the state licensing agency. Ask whether the license can still be renewed, whether any tests must be retaken and which documents to bring.

One federal point helps returning truckers. Under 49 CFR 380.603(b), drivers issued a Class A or Class B CDL, or a passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement, before February 7, 2022, do not have to take entry-level driver training for that license or endorsement. Older drivers coming back to the road can learn more in the getting a CDL after 50 guide, and the full licensing path is in the step-by-step CDL guide.

If a knowledge test is needed, the CDL practice test and the CDL general knowledge test study guide are good places to start.

A simple renewal checklist

• Note the expiration dates of the CDL, the medical certification and any hazmat endorsement.
• Schedule the DOT physical well before the medical certificate expires.
• Start a hazmat security threat assessment at least 60 days ahead, as TSA recommends.
• Check the state licensing agency's document list, since state lists vary, and gather proof of citizenship or lawful status and proof of state of domicile if it asks.
• Have a list of every state that issued a driver's license in the past 10 years.
• Check the state licensing agency's website for fees, appointments and whether renewal can be done online or only in person.
• Non-domiciled holders should plan on an in-person visit.

More planning tools, including the hours of service break calculator, are on the trucking tools page.

FAQ

How often does a CDL have to be renewed?

Federal rules say a renewed CDL can be valid for no more than 8 years. Each state sets its own renewal cycle within that limit, so the expiration date on the license is the one that counts.

Does renewing a CDL require a new driving test?

The federal renewal rules in 49 CFR 383.71(d) and 383.73(d) do not list a skills test for renewing a current CDL. Hazmat holders must pass the endorsement knowledge test again. Those federal rules do not cover a license that has already expired, so ask the state licensing agency whether any tests must be retaken.

What happens if a medical card expires before the CDL does?

The state must notify the driver and, under 49 CFR 383.73(o)(4), complete a downgrade that removes CDL privileges within 60 days unless the driver is certified again or changes the type of driving he or she certifies.

How far ahead should hazmat renewal start?

TSA recommends enrolling at least 60 days before a decision is needed and says some applications take more than 45 days. The federal notice rules set the latest filing points at 30 days (49 CFR 383.141) and 60 days (49 CFR 1572.13) before the endorsement expires, so starting at least 60 days ahead covers both. The fee for new and renewing applicants is $88.25, or $41 for those with a valid TWIC in states that accept it.

Can I renew my CDL online?

It depends on the state and on the driver. Virginia's DMV says a CDL holder may renew online if eligible, but not holders of a hazmat endorsement or a limited duration CDL. Iowa lets eligible holders renew online but says hazmat holders must renew in person. Oklahoma offers online or in-person renewal. New York says the renewal notice tells the holder whether online, mail or an office visit applies. Non-domiciled renewals must be in person under FMCSA's final rule. Check the state's own page first.

How much does it cost to renew a CDL?

The state sets the fee, so fees vary by state. As listed on state pages on Oct. 28, 2026, Virginia charges $64 to renew a CDL for 8 years with no endorsements, Oklahoma lists Class A renewal at $56.50 for a 4 year credential and $113.00 for an 8 year credential, and New York lists $164.50 for a standard Class A, B or C renewal, with an added supplemental fee in some counties. A hazmat endorsement adds a separate TSA fee of $88.25, or $41 with a valid TWIC in states that accept it. Check the state licensing agency's fee page for the current amount.

Can an expired CDL be renewed?

It depends on the state. The federal renewal rules do not set a grace period or retesting requirement for an expired CDL, so check with the state licensing agency before scheduling anything. This is general information, not legal advice.

Save this story for later

Save this to Pinterest