In order to obtain a Florida Commercial Driver's License, you are required to hold a Class E license and pass the CDL knowledge and skills tests. Some of the tests that will be required of you will depending on the type of commercial vehicle you intend to operate and where you intend to drive.

Knowledge Tests

Depending on which class of license (Class A, B or C) and the endorsements you will need, you will need to take one or more knowledge tests.

• General Knowlege Test: Taken by applicants
• Passenger Transport Test: Taken by bus driver applicants
• School Bus Test: Required if you intend to drive a school bus
• Air Brakes Test: Applicants must take this test if their vehicle has air brakes, which includes air over hydraulic brakes
• Combination Vehicles Test: Required for applicants that intend to drive combination vehicles
• Hazardous Materials Test: Required for applicants intending to haul hazardous materials in a tank or multiple tanks that have an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle
• Doubles/Triples Test: Required for applicants planning to pull double or triple trailers

Based on the CDL license type you will be testing for, you should review the corresponding information in the CDL Handbook.

Sections to study (based on license type):

• Class A - 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 12, 13
• Class B - 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13
• Class C - 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13

If the vehicle you intend to operate is equipped with air brakes, you must also study section 5.

Sections to study (based on endorsement type):

• Hazardous Materials - 9
• Double/Triple - 2, 5, 6, 7
• Tank Vehicles - 2, 6, 8, 9
• Passenger - 2, 4, 11, 12, 13
• School Bus - 10, 11, 12, 13

CDL Skills Test

The three sections of the exam are:

• Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection
• Basic Vehicle Control
• On-road Test

Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection

This section of the test revolves around your ability to determine whether your vehicle is safe to drive. During this portion of the exam, you will be asked to perform a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and will be required to explain to the examiner what you would inspect and the reasons why.

Basic Vehicle Control

During the second part of the exam, you will be required to demonstrate your skill in controling the vehicle. To demonstrate, you will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and perform turns within a defined area that may be marked with cones, traffic lanes, barriers, or something similar.

On-road Test

The final section of the test will focus on your ability to safely drive the vehicle ub various traffic situations which could include:

• Left and right turns
• Intersections
• Railroad crossings
• Curves
• Up and down grades
• Single or multi-lane roads
• Streets
• Highways