Commercial Driver’s License in Colorado
A commercial driver’s license in Colorado will let you drive commercial vehicles within and outside the state if you are a resident in this state. The driving requirements are the same in every state as the federal rules are what are implemented. The fees are different though depending on the state policies. In Colorado, there are several requirements that you have to submit and comply with in order to apply for a CDL.
The state of Colorado issues different classes of CDL depending on the type of commercial vehicle that you will be driving. But in general, you will be needing a CDL if you will be driving any of the following: a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds; a passenger vehicle that can carry 16 passengers or more which includes the driver; and vehicles that require a placard for the hazardous materials that they are carrying. These types of vehicles need to be driven by drivers that possess a valid commercial driver’s license within and outside of the state.
The state requires several documents to be presented before you can apply for a CDL. The applicant must pass both the written and driving tests before he can be granted with a license. To apply for a written exam, the applicant must submit the following documents to the Colorado DMV office: a US DOT Medical Certificate, a CDL Instruction Permit if a first-timer, valid IDs, and corresponding fees for the license. The testing center will not provide for the test vehicle so the applicant should apply to third-party testers if they do not have their own commercial vehicles.
The minimum age requirement for those who will be seeking a CDL permit is 18 years old for intrastate driving and 21 years old for interstate. You will need a current medical certificate issued by a DOT medical officer in order to determine your fitness for road driving. You also need to submit your Colorado driver’s license as well as your Social Security Card for your identification. For additional endorsements such as that for Hazardous Materials, you will need a criminal background check as well. The testing fees are $35 for a CDL license and $14 for a CDL permit.
You have to study the Colorado CDL Manual before applying for a commercial driver’s license in Colorado. This is to ensure that you will successfully pass the exam and that you will understand about your future employment more carefully. The driving test will be conducted after you have successfully passed the written exam and you have 7 days before you can retake it if you fail. The driving test will be about pre-trip inspection, driving skills, and maneuvering the vehicle in different types of traffic situations. The license is valid for up to 5 years although you may need to update your medical certificate more frequently. If the license expires for more than 1 year, you will be required to undergo a written and driving test again.
To find a truck driving school in CO to receive training you should visit this directory page. You can locate DMV offices in Colorado that provide testing by visiting this page: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1216202501578&pagename=Revenue-MV%2FRMVLayout