Tennessee CDL Resources

Official resources to check first

Tennessee CDL resources are managed by TDOSHS (tn.gov/safety). Verify current requirements at tn.gov/safety.

No direct CDL handbook link is listed for Tennessee yet. Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website and look for a "CDL Manual," "Commercial Driver Handbook," or similar link.

Before you apply or renew

These steps apply regardless of state. Verify each requirement directly with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security before beginning the application process.

• Verify your CDL class (A, B, or C) matches the vehicles you intend to operate.
• Check whether you need endorsements (HazMat, Tanker, Passenger, School Bus, Doubles/Triples) and confirm state testing requirements for each.
• Confirm you hold a valid DOT medical certificate (MCSA-5876) and that it is current before applying or renewing.
• If you are a new CDL applicant, confirm whether ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) applies to your situation — see the ELDT overview.
• Gather required documents — identity, residency, and any existing license — before visiting a testing location.
• Confirm current fees and testing appointment availability directly with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Medical certificate

CDL holders operating in interstate commerce must carry a current DOT medical certificate issued by a certified medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry. Tennessee state requirements for submitting or updating medical certification vary — check the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website for the current procedure.

For Tennessee-specific medical certificate submission procedures, start at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website .

• Learn about medical card requirements: DOT Medical Card Explained
• Track expiration dates: Medical Card Expiration Tracker

ELDT — Entry-Level Driver Training

Federal ELDT requirements apply to new Class A and Class B CDL applicants and to certain endorsements. Training must be completed at a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR). The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security does not administer ELDT — training is completed at a registered provider before you schedule the skills test.

• Find an ELDT provider: FMCSA Training Provider Registry
• See who needs ELDT: Who Needs ELDT?
• ELDT for small fleets and owner-operators: ELDT for Small Fleets

Federal references

• FMCSA — CDL Overview
• 49 CFR Part 383 — CDL Standards
• FMCSA — Medical Qualifications
• What Is a CDL? — Federal Standards Overview