Truck & CDL training in Arizona

How to get a CDL in Arizona, step by step

A commercial driver license takes a medical exam, written tests, a learner’s permit, federally required training and a three-part skills test. Here’s the order MVD expects, with the fees MVD charges. School tuition is separate and varies a lot, so compare what each program includes.

Class A or Class B?

• Class A covers combination vehicles, such as a tractor-trailer, weighing over 26,000 lb together when the towed unit is over 10,000 lb. It’s the license most long-haul and regional trucking jobs ask for.
• Class B covers single vehicles over 26,000 lb, such as dump trucks, box trucks and buses, and lets them tow up to 10,000 lb.

Going straight to Class A keeps more jobs open. Upgrading from B to A later means another round of required training.

The steps

1. DOT medical card. Get a physical from an examiner on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The certificate has to be renewed at least every 24 months.
2. Knowledge tests at MVD. Study the Arizona CDL manual. You need 80% to pass; if you fail, you can retake the test the next business day.
3. Commercial learner’s permit (CLP). Apply at an MVD office with your medical certificate. It’s valid for up to 12 months.
4. Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). Required for a first Class A or B license, a B-to-A upgrade, and school bus, passenger or hazmat endorsements. The school must be listed on the federal Training Provider Registry; it reports your completion there.
5. Skills test. After you’ve held the CLP for at least 14 days and finished ELDT, book the test: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control and a road test.

Age rules

You can hold an Arizona CDL at 18, but until 21 it’s limited to driving within Arizona. Driving across state lines, or hauling hazardous materials, requires being 21.

MVD fees

• Commercial learner’s permit (Class A or B): $25
• Skills test (Class A or B): $25

School prices are on top of these. When you compare programs, ask whether the price includes the truck for your skills test, retest fees, hours of actual driving time, and job placement. Some carriers pay for training in exchange for a work commitment; read those contracts closely.

Where skills tests happen

MVD gives CDL skills tests at sites including Southeast Mesa, Goodyear, Casa Grande and Tucson, and certified third-party testers are also authorized. Many schools test on their own lot.

We list 3 truck driving schools in the Phoenix area so far. For more ELDT providers, search the federal registry by ZIP code.

Rules checked against ADOT’s CDL requirements, the FMCSA Training Provider Registry in September 2026. Courts and MVD can change fees and procedures; confirm with them before you pay for anything.

Common questions

How long does CDL training take in Arizona?

It depends on the program and license class. Full-time Class A programs commonly take several weeks. Federal ELDT rules set what must be covered rather than a minimum number of hours, and you must hold your permit for at least 14 days before the skills test.

Do I need a school to get a CDL in Arizona?

For a first Class A or B license, yes: federal Entry-Level Driver Training has to come from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before you can take the skills test.

How old do you have to be to get a CDL in Arizona?

18, but until 21 the license is limited to driving within Arizona. Interstate driving and hazmat require being 21.

What does MVD charge for a CDL permit and skills test?

$25 for a Class A or B commercial learner’s permit and $25 for the Class A or B skills test. School tuition is separate.