What Every New Carrier Gets Wrong About CDL Requirements

Hiring your first driver is where most new trucking companies stumble on licensing. The federal CDL baseline is only the start; states layer endorsements, age minimums, and testing variations on top.

The federal floor

Drivers hauling interstate need a Class A or B CDL depending on vehicle weight, plus a DOT medical card. Since 2022, entry-level drivers also complete ELDT training from a registered provider before their skills test.

Where states differ

• Age: 21 for interstate driving, but some states issue intrastate CDLs at 18, which creates hiring traps when routes cross state lines.
• Endorsements: hazmat (H), tanker (N), and doubles/triples (T) each require separate tests and background checks.
• Restrictions: automatic-transmission-only licenses (E restriction) limit drivers to certain equipment, which matters for mixed fleets.

Verify before the first dispatch

Check the license class, endorsements, restrictions, and medical card expiry against your actual routes. The full state-by-state licensing matrix lives at Haul Handbook's compliance guides, free for new carriers.

Last updated August 2026.