In Wisconsin, your commercial driving career begins with the licensing process, including obtaining a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). To get a CLP, you must provide identification documents, pass a vision exam, pay the license fees, and score 80% or higher on the 50-question CDL General Knowledge (permit) test. Unless you will only be engaged in so-called “intrastate excepted commerce,” you must also pass a medical exam and have a valid federal medical card. To obtain a CDL, applicants must hold a CLP for at least 14 days, complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered training provider, and pass the CDL skill tests.
To make it easier for you to understand commercial driving theory, the DMV publishes the official Wisconsin commercial driver’s manual (Wisconsin CDL Handbook 2025). This valuable resource describes safe driving practices, traffic laws, air brakes, pre-trip inspections, and passenger safety. As you begin your learning phase, you should use the most efficient tools. We’ll help you become a safe and responsible commercial driver and bring you closer to your professional goals, but you must put in the time and effort necessary to build your skills and knowledge.