CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, North Carolina.
Jobs (NC)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a cdl truck driver in North Carolina
To become a CDL Truck Driver in North Carolina, applicants must obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) and hold it for at least 14 days. They must complete FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider. The process involves passing a CDL General Knowledge test, a vision test, and a skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic controls, and road driving). The minimum age for intrastate driving is 18, while interstate commerce or hazardous material endorsements require applicants to be 21. North Carolina participates in the International Registration Plan (IRP), and out-of-state CDL holders must transfer their license within 30 days of establishing residency.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist North Carolina requirements
| Licensing body | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) |
| Exam | CDL General Knowledge and Skills Test ($43) |
| Application fee | $22 |
| Renewal | Every 5.0 years |
| Reciprocity | North Carolina may waive written and road tests for CDL transfers, but some sources suggest retesting.Reciprocal states: North Carolina is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP), a registration reciprocity agreement for apportioned payments of registration fees based on distance operated in the continental U.S. and Canada. Drivers with an out-of-state CDL must transfer it to North Carolina within 30 days of becoming a resident. Written and road tests may be waived if you have a valid license from another state, but a vision test is required. Some sources indicate that the written test might need to be retaken, and a motorcycle endorsement would require retesting. |
| Notes | Applicants must be 18+ for intrastate or 21+ for interstate commerce or to transport hazardous materials. A valid DOT medical certificate is required for most commercial drivers. As of June 28, 2025, medical examiner certificates must be submitted electronically by the medical examiner provider through the FMCSA's National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRII) portal. New applicants must complete FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a school listed on the federal Training Provider Registry. The CDL General Knowledge test costs $43.25 for three attempts. The annual license fee is $21.50, meaning an 8-year license would cost $172. Skills test fees are paid to third-party providers and vary, typically $50-$100. A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) costs $21.50 and is valid for 180 days, renewable once for an additional 180 days. You must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before taking the skills test. |
Source: North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV)
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to North Carolina? See whether North Carolina recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our CDL Truck Driver license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium North Carolina license tiers
North Carolina offers multiple tiers of cdl truck driver licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Class A | N/A |
| Class B | N/A |
| Class C | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleNorth Carolina license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare CDL Truck Driver head-to-head
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