Nevada CDL Requirements
How to get a CDL in Nevada through the DMV, including fees, testing, and training options.
CDL Classes and Eligibility
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles issues CDLs in three classes. Class A covers combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs towing over 10,000 lbs. Class B covers single vehicles over 26,001 lbs. Class C covers hazmat or passenger vehicles. Applicants must be 18 for intrastate or 21 for interstate. Nevada requires a valid Nevada driver license, Social Security card, proof of Nevada residency, and US citizenship/legal presence. ELDT requirements apply. Nevada has approximately 20 FMCSA-registered ELDT providers, concentrated in the Las Vegas and Reno metro areas.
Testing and Fees
The Nevada CDL costs $42 for a 4-year license. The CLP costs $20.25 and is valid for 180 days. Knowledge tests are administered at DMV offices in Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, and other locations at no additional charge. Skills tests are $100 at DMV or through third-party testers at $200-$400. Nevada DMV CDL testing is available at multiple locations. Knowledge tests are available in English and Spanish. Wait times for DMV skills tests can be 2-4 weeks in Las Vegas due to high demand. Third-party testing provides faster scheduling. The state allows three skills test attempts.
Training and Endorsements
Nevada CDL training includes College of Southern Nevada (Las Vegas), Truckee Meadows Community College (Reno), and private schools at $3,000-$7,500. The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation provides WIOA training funds. Endorsements follow federal standards. Most in-demand: T (Double/Triple, for I-80 LTL and mining operations), H (Hazmat, for mining chemical transport), and N (Tank, for fuel distribution to remote areas). The mining industry (Barrick Gold, Nevada Copper, Lithium Americas) creates specialized demand for CDL drivers with hazmat and tanker endorsements. The Las Vegas hospitality industry requires constant consumer goods delivery.