Have you considered a career in the transportation industry? Before you drive a semi-trailer, tanker, or bus, you will need to earn your Commercial Driver’s License, also known as a CDL.
CDL drivers education and truck driving training programs will help prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience you will need to learn to drive a large commercial vehicle. After completion of a training program, you will be prepared to take the state licensing tests needed to qualify for your CDL.
This article will explore the requirements and steps to complete to get your CDL in Mississippi.
CDL Options in Mississippi
Endorsements are additional certifications to drive a variety of commercial vehicles that require specialized skills. For example, if you are hauling hazardous materials, driving a tank vehicle, or driving a school bus, you will be required to complete additional exams to qualify for these endorsements.
CDL Eligibility Requirements in Mississippi |
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Age |
To be authorized to drive commercial intrastate (within the state of Mississippi), you must be 17 years old. At age 21, you can qualify to drive interstate with a Mississippi issued CDL. |
| License |
Applicants must hold a current and valid regular (Class R) driver’s license. |
| Medical and Physical |
The state of Mississippi requires a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate confirming that the driver is physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. As of June 23, 2025, Mississippi will no longer be allowed to accept physical or scanned copies of Medical Certificate forms. Moving forward, federally certified Medical Examiners are required to submit the results of a physical exam electronically to FMCSA’s National Registry. After obtaining the results of the physical exam, the state of Mississippi will then post it directly to the driver’s record. |
| Background Check |
According to federal guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the state must perform a check of your complete driving record when you apply for a CDL to ensure that you have not been disqualified in another jurisdiction. |
6 Steps to Apply for a CDL Permit and License
According to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver’s Manual, CDL applicants must complete the following steps to qualify and apply for a Commercial Driver’s License in the state.
Step 1: Meet all eligibility requirements. The requirements to qualify for a CDL can vary from state to state. To view the basic requirements, see the CDL Eligibility Requirements in Mississippi section above.
Step 2: Attend a commercial drivers education program. While not required, a CDL training course will teach you the knowledge and skills you will need and prepare you to successfully complete state CDL exams. Delta Technical College offers a 16-day CDL Training Course at our Horn Lake and Ridgeland, MS campuses.
Step 3: Obtain your Mississippi Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Before you can get your Mississippi commercial driver’s license, you will be required to hold a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) for a minimum of 14 days before you can take your skills test to obtain your full CDL. A CLP allows you to drive on public roads accompanied by a driver who holds a CDL.
Step 4: Complete the Required Knowledge Test. In Mississippi, commercial driver’s licensing is overseen by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS). Before you can hold a CDL, you must successfully complete a series of tests, including a general knowledge test, passenger transport test, air brakes test, combination vehicles test, as well as exams in hazardous materials, tankers, and more. The Mississippi Professional Driver’s Manual can help you prepare for each portion of the required tests.
Step 5: Schedule a Mississippi CDL skills test/road test at a local DPS office. To schedule your CDL road test with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety online, visit the Driver Service Bureau. According to the state manual, as part of your practical skills examination, you must complete the following:
- Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: Tests whether you know if the vehicle is safe to drive.
- Basic Vehicle Control: Tests your skill to control the vehicle, including moving it forward, backward, and turning it within a defined area.
- On-Road Driving Test: Tests a variety of traffic situations, including turns, intersections, railroad crossings, lane changes, up and down grades, and more.
Step 6: Complete and submit the Mississippi CDL driver’s application with proper license and endorsement fees.
The following are the current license fees found on the Driving Mississippi Forward website:
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Interested in Learning More About Truck Driving? Fill out the form below to receive info about our career training programs. Mississippi Driver’s Services Fees |
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| Commercial (CDL) Original/Renewal Class D | $29.00 |
| CDL Learner’s Permit – Valid 6 months | $16.00 |
| CDL 5 year License | $55.00 |
| Hazardous Materials |
$100.00 |
It’s important to note that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the federal agency that regulates the trucking industry) allows Veterans of the U.S. armed forces who meet certain requirements to qualify to have a portion of the CDL licensing process waived. Military veterans should contact the Mississippi Department of Safety office about Veterans’ waiver programs.
Commercial Driver Education in Mississippi
CDL classes and truck driving programs at Delta Technical College help students prepare for the state CDL licensing tests in Mississippi through classroom theory and hands-on experience.
Instructors at DTC have professional experience in the transportation industry. Classroom training classes cover a variety of important procedures, skills, and techniques you will need as a professional truck driver. Our truck driver training program will prepare you to successfully pass the state permit and CDL license tests.
- The CDL Training Course is a 16-day course that focuses on the basic required skills to successfully complete the state’s CDL exam. You will study topics from the state’s Commercial Driver’s Manual as well as spend time on the driving range and on city roads practicing driving a commercial vehicle.
- DTC’s 20-week Professional Truck Driving Program provides a more in-depth look at life on the road and provides you with the education to build a rewarding career in truck driving. During the program, instructors will help you prepare for entry-level employment as a licensed CDL truck driver and a variety of careers in the transportation industry.
To learn more about CDL and truck driving training at DTC, contact the Admissions Team.
SOURCES
- https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/node/356
- https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/
- https://visit.drivers.dps.ms.gov/Portal/Download/GetPdf?filename=CDL.pdf
- https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Driver_Service_Fees
- https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Firearms/Disabled_Veterans
