CDL Permit
Fast-Track Guide to Passing Your CDL the First Time with SPCDL Truck Driving School
Earning a CDL permit—formally called a commercial learner’s permit (CLP)—is the first milestone on your journey to a full commercial driver’s license.
Below, we answer, “What is a CDL permit?” and explain how to get a CDL permit in California and show you how SPCDL Truck Driving School can help you prep, test, and move on to your road skills exam in as little as two weeks.
What Is a CDL Permit?
A CDL permit allows you to:
- Practice driving a commercial vehicle on public roads with a qualified CDL holder seated next to you
- Take the mandatory 14-day waiting period before scheduling your skills test
- Complete behind-the-wheel training hours required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
In short, think of the CLP as the “learners-permit” phase for commercial drivers—except the federal rules are much stricter than for a regular car license.
How to Get a CDL Permit: Step-by-Step
- Meet basic eligibility – be 18 (21 for interstate), hold a valid non-commercial license, and pass a DOT physical.
- Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) theory – required for a CDL and an additional course if adding Hazmat, but smart drivers finish all online coursework early.
- Study permit material or use SPCDL’s CDL permit study materials, and we suggest a free phone app to take practice tests.
- Visit DMV, submit forms, and pay the fee (currently $91 in California).
- Pass the CDL permit test – general knowledge plus any endorsement sections (Air Brakes, Combination, Tank, etc.).
- Receive your CDL permit and start the 14-day federal countdown before you’re eligible to take the road test.
Tip: SPCDL automatically schedules your skills test for 3 to 6 weeks after your permit is issued giving you time to complete the theory courses and study our pre-trip videos.
SPCDL’s CDL Permit Fast-Track Program
| Feature | Other Traditional Truck Schools | SPCDL Truck Driving School |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Study Material | Limited classroom handouts | Full online permit course + unlimited CDL permit practice test bank |
| ELDT Theory | In-person (40–80 hrs.) | 100% online at home |
| Wait Time Before Skills Test | 14 days + classroom weeks | 14 days only (you finish theory in the same two-week window) |
| Behind-the-Wheel | 30 min/day, shared truck | 12–16 hrs., one-on-one |
| DMV Test Truck | May rent extra | Provided, same truck you trained in |
Most SPCDL students complete all permit coursework from home in 7–10 days, spend two full days driving with their private instructor, and then pass the skills exam on the first try.
The CDL Permit Test: What to Expect
The written CDL permit test is computer-based and drawn from a federal question bank. You’ll answer:
- General Knowledge – 50 questions
- Air Brakes – 25 questions
- Combination – for Class A applicants
- Tank, Passenger, Hazmat, – if you want those endorsements later
You need 80 % to pass each section. Our CDL permit practice test is similar to DMV wording, so nothing on exam day will surprise you.
CDL Permit Practice Test: Study Smarter, Not Longer
When you enroll with SPCDL, we include:
- Digital study guide covering every federal topic
- Unlimited timed quizzes that randomize DMV-style questions
- Instant answer feedback and explanations
Don’t need the full program? You can still purchase our practice-test bundle for $125, but enrolled students get it free.
The 14-Day Rule: Why Waiting Time Matters
FMCSA requires every state to enforce a 14-day gap between the date your CDL permit is issued and your skills test appointment. That window is perfect for:
- Online ELDT modules (Class A, Class B, Tank Endorsement, Passenger Endorsement, and Hazmat Endorsement)
- SPCDL’s two-day road training (meets California’s 5-hr range + 10-hr road minimum)
- Extra backing-pad practice and pre-trip walk-through
Finish your theory early and that federally mandated wait time never feels like a delay.
Compliance & Clearinghouse: What Could Delay Your CDL
- DUI/DWI records have been stored in FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse for five years. A recent conviction may disqualify or slow your application if it occurred in a commercial vehicle.
- Positive THC or drug test – You must enter a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) program. Until its completion, DMV will not issue your CDL.
- Medical conditions – All applicants need an up-to-date DOT physical (Form MCSA-5876).
SPCDL’s staff walks you through every compliance checkpoint, so nothing derails your permit or future endorsement.
Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)
A CDL permit—also called a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)—lets you legally practice driving a commercial vehicle on public roads while accompanied by a licensed CDL driver.
Complete SPCDL’s online permit course, pass our CDL permit practice test modules, visit DMV for the written exam, and start your 14-day clock. Many students are test-ready in under two weeks.
General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, plus any endorsement exams (Tank, Passenger, Hazmat,) you choose.
Yes. SPCDL provides unlimited online permit practice tests similar to DMV wording, improving first-time pass rates dramatically.
Federal rules require a 14-day waiting period before you can take the skills (road) test. SPCDL schedules that test for you right away.
Ready to Get Your CDL Permit—and Your Full CDL—Fast?
- Call SPCDL Truck Driving School at (909) 353-9897 (M-F business hours).
- Enroll online and start your CDL permit course immediately.
- Use our CDL permit practice test bank until you score 90 %+.
- Pass your DMV written exam, start the 14-day wait.
- Spend two private days behind the wheel with our certified instructor.
- Ace the skills test in the same truck—drive away with your new CDL.
Stop watching other students drive. Get the permit, the practice, and the passing score you deserve, with only the best training at SPCDL Truck Driving School.
