Class D Operator's License

This class of license includes passenger cars, station wagons, pickup trucks, utility vehicles, and most panel trucks. This type and class of license is valid for any single motor vehicle, and a trailer, with weights not greater than 26,000 pounds, designed to carry less than 16 passengers (including the driver) and not placarded for the purpose of transporting hazardous materials.

Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL)

There is a Delaware Commercial Driver's manual which covers the CDL requirements, CDL procedures, testing requirements, and the basic knowledge required to obtain a CDL license. The manual is available for no cost at any Division facility.

The requirement for a CDL license is waived when the driver is operating farm equipment, firefighting equipment, recreational vehicles, or military members operating military vehicles.

Waivers for CDL Provisions

Non-commercial driver licenses are issued to those drivers who operate farm, firefighting, and other emergency equipment under this waiver. No special licenses are required when operating personal recreation vehicles and military equipment. The following defines these waived class of vehicles:

1. Farm Vehicles which are:

1. Controlled and operated by a farmer
2. Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies or both to or from a farm
3. Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier
4. Used within 150 miles of the person's farm and
5. Not used for hire.

2. Firefighting equipment which is:

1. Used by any fire company in this State for the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions.
2. Being operated under the authorization of a fire company for parades, special events, repair service, delivery or other such authorized movements.

3. Military equipment owned by the Department of Defense, including the National Guard, when operated by persons on active military duty or members of the reserves and National Guard on active full-time or part-time duty.
4. Recreational vehicles or trailers defined in Title 21 which provide temporary living quarters and are used solely for recreational purposes.
5. Emergency Mobile Communication Units operated in relation to a County Emergency Communication Center, the State Police or any Municipality.
6. Any other emergency vehicle, as defined by Title 21, used in the preservation of life or property or in the execution of emergency governmental functions and are equipped with audible and visual signals and are not subject to normal traffic regulation.

After passing the knowledge tests and paying a $30.00 fee, you may be issued a CDL learner's permit which will allow you to drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV), but only with another licensed CDL driver. You may only drive the class of vehicle specified on your learner's permit, and you may drive only with a CDL driver qualified in the same type CMV. This permit is valid for six (6) months. You may extend this learner's permit one time for another six (6) months for $2.00.

This license is required when the vehicle's combination registered, actual or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is over 26,000 pounds, and the vehicle is towing a vehicle with a registered, actual or GVWR over 10,000 pounds.

This license is required when the vehicle's registered, actual or rated weight (GVWR) is over 26,000 pounds, and it is not towing another vehicle over 10,000 pounds GVWR.

This license is required for vehicles under 26,000 pounds when vehicles are designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver, or for vehicles required to be placarded for carrying hazardous materials (HAZMAT).

NON - CDL Class A License

Required for the same CMV vehicles as the CDL Class A license, but only when operating farm, firefighting, and other authorized emergency vehicles under a CDL waiver.

Required for the same CMV vehicles as the CDL Class B license, but only when operating farm, firefighting, and other authorized emergency vehicles under a CDL waiver.

CDL Instructions
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Medical Examination Report