Florida’s economy supports various industries, providing job opportunities for residents who hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). As a truck driver, you might be hauling agricultural products, construction materials, or refrigerated goods. With a HazMat endorsement, you might even transport rocket fuel to the Kennedy Space Center. To follow this career path, you should take the first step and begin the licensing process. To qualify, you must possess a valid Florida Class E driver’s license. The minimum age is 18 for commercial driving within Florida and 21 for cross-country driving.
You will be issued a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) after you submit the necessary documents, pass a vision test, obtain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, pay the application fees, and score at least 80% on the official CDL permit test. This exam consists of 50 questions based on the official Florida commercial driver license manual (Florida CDL Handbook 2026). The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all aspiring commercial drivers to receive Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered training provider. After obtaining a CLP, you should get as much behind-the-wheel experience as possible. Once you feel confident and prepared, you should schedule and take the CDL skills test, which is the final step in the licensing process.