Florida Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) License: Requirements, Cost & Timeline
Florida requires a state license for this trade. Here is every step, fee and hour it takes — and what it pays once you are licensed.
Do you need a license?
Yes. The credential is the Class A / Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL), issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Working without it is a violation in Florida and can carry fines or a stop-work order, so the sequence below matters: training first, then the exam, then the application.
Steps to get licensed
- Obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) by passing the General Knowledge written test and the written test for each endorsement you need.
- Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) under 49 CFR Part 380 Subpart F, delivered by a registered training provider.
- Pass the CDL skills test (vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and road test); Class A requires towing a unit over 10,000 lbs.
- Present a DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate and proof of identity, Social Security number and Florida residence.
- Pick up the license at an FLHSMV office or county tax collector office and pay $75; each endorsement adds $7.
What it costs
The figures below are what the state charges. Training is separate and quotes vary by provider — a community-college programme and a private trade school can differ by thousands for the same licence.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| License / certification fee | $75 |
| Renewal fee | $75 |
| Total state fees | $75 |
The exam fee is set by the testing vendor, not the state, and is not included above.
Full cost breakdown for Florida →
Keeping it valid
The licence renews every 8 years and the renewal fee is $75. CDLs are issued by each state and there is no endorsement or reciprocity system; a holder of a valid out-of-state CDL may apply for conversion (usually with the road test waived) but must meet Florida and federal requirements.
What it pays in Florida
Median annual wage for Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) in Florida: $52,760 ($25.37/hour), across 101,920 jobs. That is the midpoint — half of people in this trade earn more, half less.
Pay detail for Florida, and how it compares →
Other states
| State | State fees | Time | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $146 | — | $58,270 |
| Texas | $122 | — | $54,550 |
Common questions
Do you need a license to be a Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) in Florida?
Class A / Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL). Yes — issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
How much does a Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) license cost in Florida?
$75 in state fees. Exam retakes cost extra.
How long does it take to get a Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) license in Florida?
The board does not publish a fixed hour requirement.
What does a Heavy Truck Driver (CDL) make in Florida?
The median is $52,760 a year ($25.37 an hour) statewide, per BLS OEWS May 2024.
Sources
- http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0322/Sections/0322.54.html“Any person who drives a motor vehicle combination having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more must possess a valid Class A driver license”
- https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/“Original/Renewal Commercial Driver License*$75.00”
- https://www.flhsmv.gov/fees/“Endorsements$7.00”
- http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0322/Sections/0322.18.html“which next occurs on or after the eighth anniversary of the date of issue”
- https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-380/subpart-F“This subpart establishes training requirements for entry-level drivers, as defined in this subpart, and minimum content for theory and Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) training curricula.”