{
  "name": "CDL endorsement prerequisites and testing sequence",
  "description": "Getting a CDL endorsement is a sequence, not a single application: which test type is required (knowledge-only vs. knowledge plus skills), whether the endorsement can be added at the commercial-learner's-permit (CLP) stage or only after a full CDL, and \u2014 for the hazardous materials endorsement specifically \u2014 a separate federal TSA security threat assessment that gates issuance independent of the state testing process, with its own renewal clock. Each record is one endorsement type, carrying the required test, its CLP eligibility, and any federal prerequisite beyond state testing. Answers 'can I get my tanker endorsement on a learner's permit', 'do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement', 'how often does the TSA hazmat clearance have to be renewed'.",
  "url": "https://referencesource.org/cdl-endorsement-prerequisites/",
  "licence": "US federal regulation \u2014 17 USC 105, no copyright",
  "last_verified": "2026-08-19",
  "stale_after": "2027-08-19",
  "sources": [
    "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93",
    "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.141"
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "endorsement": "Double/Triple Trailers",
      "test_required": "a knowledge test",
      "clp_eligible": "No \u2014 a CLP may carry only the Passenger, School bus and Tank vehicle endorsements, and this is not one of them",
      "id": "double-triple-trailers",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/cdl-endorsement-prerequisites/double-triple-trailers/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93",
      "source_quote": "The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are the following: ( i ) Passenger (P); ( ii ) School bus (S); and ( iii ) Tank vehicle (N). ( 3 ) The State must use the codes listed in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.153> \u00a7 383.153 when placing endorsements on a CLP or CDL. ( b ) Endorsement descriptions. An operator must obtain State-issued endorsements to his/her CDL to operate commercial motor vehicles which are: ( 1 ) Double/triple trailers; ( 2 ) Passenger vehicles; ( 3 ) Tank vehicles; ( 4 ) Used to transport hazardous materials as defined in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.5> \u00a7 383.5 ; or ( 5 ) School buses. ( c ) Endorsement testing requirements. The following tests are required for the endorsements contained in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93#p-383.93(b)> paragraph (b) of this section: ( 1 ) Double/Triple Trailers \u2014a knowledge test;",
      "verified_fields": [
        "endorsement",
        "test_required"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "clp_eligible"
      ]
    },
    {
      "endorsement": "Hazardous Materials",
      "test_required": "a knowledge test",
      "clp_eligible": "No \u2014 a CLP may carry only the Passenger, School bus and Tank vehicle endorsements, and this is not one of them",
      "id": "hazardous-materials",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/cdl-endorsement-prerequisites/hazardous-materials/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93",
      "source_quote": "The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are the following: ( i ) Passenger (P); ( ii ) School bus (S); and ( iii ) Tank vehicle (N). ( 3 ) The State must use the codes listed in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.153> \u00a7 383.153 when placing endorsements on a CLP or CDL. ( b ) Endorsement descriptions. An operator must obtain State-issued endorsements to his/her CDL to operate commercial motor vehicles which are: ( 1 ) Double/triple trailers; ( 2 ) Passenger vehicles; ( 3 ) Tank vehicles; ( 4 ) Used to transport hazardous materials as defined in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.5> \u00a7 383.5 ; or ( 5 ) School buses. ( c ) Endorsement testing requirements. The following tests are required for the endorsements contained in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93#p-383.93(b)> paragraph (b) of this section: ( 1 ) Double/Triple Trailers \u2014a knowledge test; ( 2 ) Passenger \u2014a knowledge and a skills test; ( 3 ) Tank vehicle \u2014a knowledge test; ( 4 ) Hazardous Materials \u2014a knowledge test; and",
      "verified_fields": [
        "endorsement",
        "test_required"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "clp_eligible"
      ],
      "also_reported": [
        {
          "field": "federal_prerequisite",
          "value": "( 1 ) The Transportation Security Administration has determined that the individual does not pose a security risk warranting denial of the endorsement; or ( 2 ) The individual holds a valid TWIC.",
          "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.141",
          "source_quote": "( b ) Prohibition. A State may not issue, renew, upgrade, or transfer a hazardous material endorsement for a CDL to any individual authorizing that individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle transporting a hazardous material in commerce unless\u2014 ( 1 ) The Transportation Security Administration has determined that the individual does not pose a security risk warranting denial of the endorsement; or ( 2 ) The individual holds a valid TWIC. ( c ) Individual notification. At least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the CDL or hazardous materials endorsement, a State must notify the holder of a hazardous materials endorsement that the individual must pass a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment process as part of any application for renewal of the hazardous materials endorsement. The notice must advise a driver that, in order to expedite the security screening process, he or she should file a renewal application as soon as possible, but not later than 30 days before the date of expiration of the endorsement. An individual who does not successfully complete the Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment process referenced in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.141#p-383.141(b)> paragraph (b) of this section may not be issued a hazardous materials endorsement. ( d ) Hazardous materials endorsement renewal cycle. Each State must require that hazardous materials endorsements be renewed every 5 years or less so that individuals are subject to a Transportation Security Administration security screening requirement referenced in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.141#p-383.141(b)> paragraph (b) of this section at least every 5 years.",
          "as_of": "2026-08-19"
        },
        {
          "field": "renewal_cycle",
          "value": "renewed every 5 years or less",
          "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.141",
          "source_quote": "( b ) Prohibition. A State may not issue, renew, upgrade, or transfer a hazardous material endorsement for a CDL to any individual authorizing that individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle transporting a hazardous material in commerce unless\u2014 ( 1 ) The Transportation Security Administration has determined that the individual does not pose a security risk warranting denial of the endorsement; or ( 2 ) The individual holds a valid TWIC. ( c ) Individual notification. At least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the CDL or hazardous materials endorsement, a State must notify the holder of a hazardous materials endorsement that the individual must pass a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment process as part of any application for renewal of the hazardous materials endorsement. The notice must advise a driver that, in order to expedite the security screening process, he or she should file a renewal application as soon as possible, but not later than 30 days before the date of expiration of the endorsement. An individual who does not successfully complete the Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment process referenced in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.141#p-383.141(b)> paragraph (b) of this section may not be issued a hazardous materials endorsement. ( d ) Hazardous materials endorsement renewal cycle. Each State must require that hazardous materials endorsements be renewed every 5 years or less so that individuals are subject to a Transportation Security Administration security screening requirement referenced in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.141#p-383.141(b)> paragraph (b) of this section at least every 5 years.",
          "as_of": "2026-08-19"
        }
      ],
      "disagreements": []
    },
    {
      "endorsement": "Passenger",
      "test_required": "a knowledge and a skills test",
      "clp_eligible": "Yes \u2014 383.93(a)(2) names this among the only endorsements allowed on a commercial learner's permit",
      "id": "passenger",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/cdl-endorsement-prerequisites/passenger/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93",
      "source_quote": "The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are the following: ( i ) Passenger (P); ( ii ) School bus (S); and ( iii ) Tank vehicle (N). ( 3 ) The State must use the codes listed in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.153> \u00a7 383.153 when placing endorsements on a CLP or CDL. ( b ) Endorsement descriptions. An operator must obtain State-issued endorsements to his/her CDL to operate commercial motor vehicles which are: ( 1 ) Double/triple trailers; ( 2 ) Passenger vehicles; ( 3 ) Tank vehicles; ( 4 ) Used to transport hazardous materials as defined in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.5> \u00a7 383.5 ; or ( 5 ) School buses. ( c ) Endorsement testing requirements. The following tests are required for the endorsements contained in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93#p-383.93(b)> paragraph (b) of this section: ( 1 ) Double/Triple Trailers \u2014a knowledge test; ( 2 ) Passenger \u2014a knowledge and a skills test;",
      "verified_fields": [
        "endorsement",
        "test_required"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "clp_eligible"
      ]
    },
    {
      "endorsement": "School bus",
      "test_required": "a knowledge and a skills test",
      "clp_eligible": "Yes \u2014 383.93(a)(2) names this among the only endorsements allowed on a commercial learner's permit",
      "id": "school-bus",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/cdl-endorsement-prerequisites/school-bus/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93",
      "source_quote": "The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are the following: ( i ) Passenger (P); ( ii ) School bus (S); and ( iii ) Tank vehicle (N). ( 3 ) The State must use the codes listed in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.153> \u00a7 383.153 when placing endorsements on a CLP or CDL. ( b ) Endorsement descriptions. An operator must obtain State-issued endorsements to his/her CDL to operate commercial motor vehicles which are: ( 1 ) Double/triple trailers; ( 2 ) Passenger vehicles; ( 3 ) Tank vehicles; ( 4 ) Used to transport hazardous materials as defined in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.5> \u00a7 383.5 ; or ( 5 ) School buses. ( c ) Endorsement testing requirements. The following tests are required for the endorsements contained in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93#p-383.93(b)> paragraph (b) of this section: ( 1 ) Double/Triple Trailers \u2014a knowledge test; ( 2 ) Passenger \u2014a knowledge and a skills test; ( 3 ) Tank vehicle \u2014a knowledge test; ( 4 ) Hazardous Materials \u2014a knowledge test; and ( 5 ) School bus \u2014a knowledge and a skills test.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "endorsement",
        "test_required"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "clp_eligible"
      ]
    },
    {
      "endorsement": "Tank vehicle",
      "test_required": "a knowledge test",
      "clp_eligible": "Yes \u2014 383.93(a)(2) names this among the only endorsements allowed on a commercial learner's permit",
      "id": "tank-vehicle",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/cdl-endorsement-prerequisites/tank-vehicle/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93",
      "source_quote": "The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are the following: ( i ) Passenger (P); ( ii ) School bus (S); and ( iii ) Tank vehicle (N). ( 3 ) The State must use the codes listed in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.153> \u00a7 383.153 when placing endorsements on a CLP or CDL. ( b ) Endorsement descriptions. An operator must obtain State-issued endorsements to his/her CDL to operate commercial motor vehicles which are: ( 1 ) Double/triple trailers; ( 2 ) Passenger vehicles; ( 3 ) Tank vehicles; ( 4 ) Used to transport hazardous materials as defined in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.5> \u00a7 383.5 ; or ( 5 ) School buses. ( c ) Endorsement testing requirements. The following tests are required for the endorsements contained in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.93#p-383.93(b)> paragraph (b) of this section: ( 1 ) Double/Triple Trailers \u2014a knowledge test; ( 2 ) Passenger \u2014a knowledge and a skills test; ( 3 ) Tank vehicle \u2014a knowledge test;",
      "verified_fields": [
        "endorsement",
        "test_required"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "clp_eligible"
      ]
    }
  ]
}