Iowa Truck Driving License

It is important to have an Iowa Truck Driving License before working as a truck driver in this state.  You will need to learn about the requirements that are needed beforehand so the application process can be done much faster.  As a professional and licensed truck driver, you will be doing several tasks such as communicating with the public and with your employer, logging trips, and processing papers for the products that you are carrying.  These are all important tasks that one has to learn before earning a commercial drivers license.

The first requirement for acquiring a CDL in Iowa is to be of legal age.  You have to be at least 18 years old before applying.  If you are over the age of 21, you will be given a license that allows you to drive interstate.  The age limitation is also required by federal laws so you have to make sure that you are at the said age at the time of your application.

Next, you also have to be physically and mentally fit.  This is proven by undergoing several physical exams which has to be performed by a DOT certified physician.  You have to request or download a DOT medical form or your physician may have it also. The physician has to certify that you are physically fit to drive a truck by filling out the form with the required findings. You also have to have at least a 20/40 visual acuity with or without corrective lenses as the need may arise.

Once you have the medical form filled out, you then have to submit it, together with other documents to the local BMV office.  There, you will need to submit proper identifications such as your current driver’s license, social security card or number, or birth certificate as well as the corresponding fees for the CDL application.  After this, you will be given a written exam which you have to pass in order to get a permit.  This will allow you to practice driving an actual truck as long as you are accompanied by a person with a CDL.

Once you feel that you are ready to take the road test, you then proceed to the BMV office and pay the corresponding fees for the exam.  It will be administered in 3 parts namely: pre-trip inspection, basic driving skills, and actual road test.  You have to successfully pass the three tests in order to gain your license.

In order to get an Iowa Truck Driving License, you will need to comply with the said requirements and tests.  Any failure would lead to your disqualification from getting the license.  To make the application process much easier, be sure to read the Iowa CDL Manual which is available in your driver licensing office.  It contains some of the basic ideas to truck driving and it also shows the areas where you will be tested on during the actual road test.  You may need to pay additional fees if you want to add endorsements to your license.

Iowa’s Commercial Vehicle Information
Phone Number: (800) 925-6469
Website: http://www.dmv.org/ia-iowa/cdl-education.php