If you’re planning to drive for a living—or even as a volunteer—operating vehicles that transport passengers or goods, you’ll need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in North Carolina. But getting your CDL can take time, especially when appointments are hard to find. That’s where DMV Slots can help—by finding you earlier DMV appointment slots, fast.
📝 Who Needs a CDL in North Carolina?
You need a CDL if you drive:
- Vehicles transporting passengers or property for commercial purposes.
- Vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver).
- Vehicles hauling hazardous materials requiring placards.
🔹 CDLs are NOT required for:
- Recreational vehicles
- Military vehicles
- Emergency/firefighting vehicles
- Certain farm vehicles
(But a standard NC driver’s license is still required for these.)
🚦 CDL Classes Explained:
- Class A CDL:
- Required for combination vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, with the towed unit over 10,000 lbs.
- Class B CDL:
- Required for any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, towing up to 10,000 lbs.
- Class C CDL:
- For vehicles not in Class A or B, but:
- Designed to transport 16+ passengers, or
- Transport hazardous materials requiring placards.
- For vehicles not in Class A or B, but:
🛑 CDL Endorsements You Might Need:
In addition to a CDL, you’ll need endorsements to:
- Haul hazardous materials (H)
- Transport passengers (P)
- Drive school buses (S) or activity buses
- Pull double/triple trailers (T)
- Drive tank vehicles (N)
Each endorsement requires extra testing and qualifications.
📚 Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Requirements:
As of Feb. 7, 2022, federal rules require CDL applicants to complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before getting a:
- Class A or B CDL (first-time applicants),
- Upgraded Class B to Class A CDL, or
- S, P, or H endorsements.
✅ Training must be completed through a registered provider listed on the Federal Training Provider Registry.
📅 CDL Road Test Appointments Are Required
To take the CDL road skills test, you must schedule an appointment. Slots are limited and can book out weeks or months in advance.
📞 Call 919-715-7000 to make a CDL road test appointment.
OR…
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