map
Trades license portability
CDL Truck Driver license reciprocity by state
CDL Truck Driver licenses are broadly portable across the US — 34 of 51 states accept transfers with either direct recognition or licensure by endorsement. Tier classifications below come from each state's licensing board; click into any row for the source language and current fees.
check_circle
4 states recognize
assignment_turned_in
30 via endorsement
edit_note
5 require exam
block
1 not recognized
Reciprocity tier legend
check_circle
Recognized
Existing license or national cert accepted directly.
assignment_turned_in
Endorsement
Apply for a new license — paperwork, fees, no re-exam.
edit_note
Exam required
Must retake the state exam or complete state-specific training.
block
Not recognized
No reciprocity pathway. Satisfy state requirements from scratch.
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No license required
State does not license this profession.
help_outline
Unclear
State policy ambiguous or silent. Contact licensing board.
All 50 states + DC
Each row links to the full cdl truck driver profile for that state — exam costs, application fees, licensing board contact, and the source language behind the tier classification.
| State | Reciprocity tier | Summary | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Alabama participates in a national CDL system; out-of-state drivers transfer by presenting documents. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Alaska | edit_note Exam required | Out-of-state CDL holders must pass a non-commercial general knowledge test to transfer. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Arizona | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Arizona allows CDL transfer without retesting; a new knowledge test is required for HazMat. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Arkansas | check_circle Recognized | Arkansas generally recognizes valid CDLs from other US states and certain international agreements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| California | edit_note Exam required | California generally requires out-of-state CDL holders to retake written and practical driving tests. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Colorado | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Colorado transfers most out-of-state CDLs, except for Hazmat and Tanker/Hazmat endorsements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Connecticut | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Connecticut transfers most out-of-state CDLs without retesting, except for S and H endorsements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Delaware | help_outline Unclear | Delaware's prose is unclear on the process for transferring an out-of-state CDL to a Delaware CDL. | Full page arrow_outward |
| District of Columbia | help_outline Unclear | DC requires conversion of out-of-state CDLs, but the specific transfer process is not detailed. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Florida | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Florida reciprocates out-of-state CDLs, but Hazmat endorsement requires reapplication and exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Georgia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Georgia offers reciprocity for out-of-state CDLs, except Hazmat, which requires a knowledge test. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Hawaii | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Hawaii allows transfer of valid out-of-state CDLs; a Hazmat test is needed if clearance is expiring. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Idaho | help_outline Unclear | Idaho's reciprocity for out-of-state CDLs is unclear, with contradictory statements about transfer and permits. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Illinois | help_outline Unclear | Illinois plans to stop requiring retesting for valid out-of-state CDL holders. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Indiana | edit_note Exam required | Indiana generally requires transferring CDL holders to pass general knowledge written exams. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Iowa | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Iowa offers reciprocity for CDLs, but hazmat endorsements require retesting the knowledge exam. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Kansas | help_outline Unclear | The prose lists specific states, but does not describe Kansas CDL reciprocity. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Kentucky | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Kentucky generally does not require retesting for valid out-of-state CDL holders. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Louisiana | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Louisiana honors out-of-state CDLs, but hazmat endorsements require retesting and ELDT. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Maine | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maine offers reciprocity for U.S. state CDL holders, but not for Canadian CDLs. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Maryland | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Maryland accepts out-of-state CDLs, but expired licenses require knowledge and skills tests. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Massachusetts | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Massachusetts converts out-of-state CDLs, but HazMat endorsements require reapplication and strict requirements apply. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Michigan | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Michigan honors out-of-state CDLs; drivers must transfer their license upon establishing residency. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Minnesota | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Minnesota offers reciprocity for out-of-state CDLs; new residents must transfer within 30 days. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Mississippi | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Mississippi recognizes valid out-of-state CDLs, but general reciprocity details for transfer are not explicit. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Missouri | help_outline Unclear | Reciprocity is only for farm use CDLs from Kansas and Nebraska; general CDL status is unclear. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Montana | help_outline Unclear | Montana has limited farm vehicle reciprocity with adjacent states; general CDL reciprocity is unclear. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Nebraska | help_outline Unclear | The provided list of states offers no context regarding Nebraska's CDL reciprocity. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Nevada | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Nevada transfers valid CDLs from other states; new residents must transfer within 30 days. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Hampshire | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Hampshire waives most written tests for out-of-state CDL transfers, except for Hazmat endorsements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Jersey | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Jersey requires out-of-state CDL transfers, including a vision test; Hazmat requires a written test. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New Mexico | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New Mexico waives written tests for out-of-state CDL transfers, but requires a DWI records check. | Full page arrow_outward |
| New York | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | New York has reciprocity for out-of-state CDLs; Hazmat endorsements require a knowledge test. | Full page arrow_outward |
| North Carolina | help_outline Unclear | North Carolina may waive written and road tests for CDL transfers, but some sources suggest retesting. | Full page arrow_outward |
| North Dakota | check_circle Recognized | North Dakota has limited reciprocity for Farm CDLs with neighboring states within 150 miles. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Ohio | edit_note Exam required | Ohio requires out-of-state applicants to take the Ohio CDL skills test, even with an out-of-state CLP. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Oklahoma | help_outline Unclear | The provided list of states offers no context regarding Oklahoma's CDL reciprocity process. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Oregon | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Oregon waives all commercial knowledge tests for out-of-state CDL transfers, except for Hazmat. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Pennsylvania | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Pennsylvania accepts out-of-state CDLs; new residents must transfer their license within 30 days. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Rhode Island | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Rhode Island allows transfer of valid out-of-state CDLs with required documentation and a driving record. | Full page arrow_outward |
| South Carolina | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | South Carolina requires out-of-state CDLs to be transferred within 30 days of residency. | Full page arrow_outward |
| South Dakota | check_circle Recognized | South Dakota grants reciprocity to valid CDLs from other states, Canada, and Mexico. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Tennessee | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Tennessee requires drivers with out-of-state CDLs to transfer their license upon residency. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Texas | check_circle Recognized | Texas recognizes Commercial Driver's Licenses from Canada and Mexico. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Utah | help_outline Unclear | The provided list of countries offers no context regarding Utah's CDL reciprocity process. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Vermont | block Not recognized | Vermont has Class D license reciprocity with Taiwan, but Hazmat endorsements are not transferable. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Virginia CDLs are generally interchangeable between states; Hazmat endorsements require retesting. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Washington | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Washington allows transfer of valid out-of-state CDLs, but non-transferable licenses require meeting all state requirements. | Full page arrow_outward |
| West Virginia | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | West Virginia honors out-of-state CDLs, requiring new residents to transfer within 30 days. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Wisconsin | assignment_turned_in Endorsement | Wisconsin requires CDL transfers by federal law; non-CDL reciprocity agreements do not apply. | Full page arrow_outward |
| Wyoming | edit_note Exam required | Wyoming offers a skills test waiver for military, but knowledge tests for CDLs cannot be waived. | Full page arrow_outward |
Other profession reciprocity guides
Each profession has its own state-by-state reciprocity matrix.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Dental Assistant
EMT
Licensed Practical Nurse
Medical Assistant
Medical Coder
Paramedic
Pharmacy Technician
Phlebotomist
Radiology Technologist
Respiratory Therapist
Surgical Technologist
CPA
Notary Public
Paralegal
Personal Trainer
Electrician
HVAC Technician
Plumber
Welder
Dental Hygienist
Insurance Agent
Real Estate Agent
Barber
Cosmetologist
Massage Therapist