Arizona CDL Manual and Test Resources

The Arizona Commercial Driver License Manual is the primary study source for Arizona CDL applicants. It covers commercial licensing, safe driving, cargo, air brakes, combination vehicles, endorsements, inspections, basic vehicle control, and road testing.

CDL Mastery can help you organize the material and practice individual topics, but the current Arizona CDL manual and official ADOT Motor Vehicle Division instructions should remain your final authority.

Official Arizona CDL manual

Arizona ADOT publishes the Commercial Driver License Manual through its official MVD manuals section. ADOT warns that requirements may change after a manual is revised, so applicants should also review current CDL application pages.

Open the official Arizona CDL manual

Open Arizona CDL application guidance

Major Arizona CDL manual topics

The sections you need depend on your license class, vehicle equipment, endorsements, and planned commercial operation.

• Introduction and licensing: CDL classes, endorsements, restrictions, disqualifications, and application rules.
• Driving Safely: vehicle inspections, speed control, following distance, hazards, emergencies, railroad crossings, and difficult conditions.
• Transporting Cargo Safely: weight, balance, securement, cargo inspections, and load-related risks.
• Passenger Vehicles: loading, unloading, emergency equipment, prohibited practices, and passenger protection.
• Air Brakes: system components, air pressure, warning devices, spring brakes, leakage tests, and safe braking.
• Combination Vehicles: coupling, fifth wheels, trailer air lines, rollover prevention, off-tracking, and inspections.
• Doubles and Triples: converter dollies, coupling order, stability, handling, and inspections.
• Tank Vehicles: liquid surge, outage, vehicle control, and tank inspection.
• Hazardous Materials: placards, shipping papers, loading, parking, security, and emergency response.
• School Buses: student loading, warning devices, railroad crossings, inspections, and emergency procedures.
• Skills testing: vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving.

Arizona CDL classes

Arizona issues Class A, Class B, and Class C commercial driver licenses.

• Class A: Covers qualifying combinations with a gross combination weight rating of at least 26,001 pounds when the towed vehicle is rated over 10,000 pounds.
• Class B: Covers qualifying single vehicles rated at 26,001 pounds or more and certain vehicles towing 10,000 pounds or less.
• Class C: Covers certain vehicles rated at 26,000 pounds or less when they transport placardable hazardous materials, operate as a bus or school bus, or carry 16 or more people including the driver.

Review Arizona driver license classes

Arizona CDL age requirements

The minimum age to obtain an Arizona CDL is 18. Applicants younger than 21 may qualify only for intrastate commercial operation within Arizona.

Arizona commercial learner’s permit

First-time CDL applicants must obtain a commercial learner’s permit before operating a vehicle that requires a CDL on a public highway.

Arizona states that a CLP may remain valid for a maximum of 12 months. Out-of-state commercial learner’s permits cannot be transferred to Arizona.

The CLP application process generally includes:

1. Make Arizona your state of domicile.
2. Hold or transfer to an Arizona driver license.
3. Provide proof of authorized presence.
4. Provide two proofs of Arizona residential address.
5. Provide your Social Security number.
6. Provide proof of required driving history when applicable.
7. Complete the Arizona commercial driver license application.
8. Complete commercial medical self-certification.
9. Pass all applicable CDL knowledge tests.
10. Pay the applicable class and endorsement fees.

Applicants with an out-of-state license may need an official motor vehicle record showing at least one year of driving history. Arizona does not accept third-party motor vehicle records for that purpose.

Fourteen-day waiting period

After receiving the commercial learner’s permit, an applicant must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before taking the applicable CDL skills test.

Any required Entry-Level Driver Training must also be completed before the skills-test appointment.

Arizona CDL knowledge tests

CDL knowledge testing is available at Arizona MVD offices during the designated commercial testing hours.

Arizona requires a score of at least 80 percent to pass a commercial knowledge test. An applicant who fails must wait until the next business day before retaking the test.

Possible examinations include:

• General Knowledge.
• Air Brakes.
• Combination Vehicles.
• Passenger Transport.
• School Bus.
• Tank Vehicles.
• Doubles and Triples.
• Hazardous Materials.

Review Arizona CDL testing locations

Entry-Level Driver Training

Federal Entry-Level Driver Training requirements apply to many applicants who are:

• Obtaining a Class A CDL for the first time.
• Obtaining a Class B CDL for the first time.
• Upgrading from Class B to Class A.
• Obtaining a first-time passenger endorsement.
• Obtaining a first-time school bus endorsement.
• Obtaining a first-time hazardous materials endorsement.

Training must be completed through a provider listed in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.

Class A, Class B, passenger, and school bus applicants must complete applicable ELDT before the skills test. First-time HazMat applicants must complete HazMat ELDT before the HazMat knowledge test.

Search the FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Arizona CDL medical certification

Commercial drivers must receive a physical examination from a medical examiner listed in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

For most drivers, the certified medical examiner transmits the Medical Examiner’s Certificate electronically. Arizona recommends allowing at least 24 hours for the electronic record to reach MVD before visiting an office.

Drivers can use AZ MVD Now to review the status of the medical certification under the credential section.

Medical certificates are generally valid for up to 24 months, but a medical examiner may issue a shorter certification period.

Failure to maintain a required current medical certification can result in suspension or revocation of Arizona CDL privileges.

Review Arizona CDL medical-certification guidance

Arizona CDL skills test

Arizona CDL skills testing is available by appointment through MVD testing locations and authorized public or private third-party examiners.

The test generally includes:

• Vehicle inspection: identifying safety-critical components and explaining the condition being checked.
• Basic vehicle control: completing required backing and low-speed control exercises.
• Road test: demonstrating safe operation in traffic and roadway situations.

Some Arizona testing locations use the modernized CDL skills-test model. The manual contains traditional Sections 11, 12, and 13 as well as modernized testing material where applicable.

Applicants must provide an appropriate representative vehicle for the requested class and endorsements.

Arizona third-party CDL testing

Arizona authorizes qualified third-party organizations to administer Class A, Class B, and Class C CDL skills tests.

Availability, eligibility, vehicle rental, fees, and scheduling vary by provider. Confirm all details directly before scheduling.

Review Arizona’s CDL Examination Program

Representative vehicle and CDL restrictions

The vehicle used for the CDL skills test affects the restrictions placed on the license.

• E restriction: Prohibits operation of a manual-transmission commercial vehicle when the test was completed in an automatic-transmission vehicle.
• K restriction: Limits commercial driving to intrastate operation.
• L restriction: Prohibits operation of commercial vehicles equipped with air brakes.
• Z restriction: Restricts operation of vehicles equipped with a full air-brake system.

Applicants should test in equipment matching the commercial vehicle they expect to operate whenever possible.

Review Arizona CDL endorsements and restrictions

Arizona HazMat endorsement

A hazardous materials endorsement requires additional state and federal steps.

The process may include:

• Complete first-time HazMat Entry-Level Driver Training.
• Complete an Arizona CDL application.
• Pass the HazMat knowledge test.
• Apply for the TSA security threat assessment.
• Complete fingerprinting and identity verification.
• Receive TSA approval before the endorsement is issued.

Arizona requires a new HazMat knowledge test for original and renewal applicants.

The hazardous materials endorsement cannot be placed on a commercial learner’s permit.

TSA security threat assessment approval may take several weeks and is generally valid for up to five years.

Passenger and school bus endorsements

New passenger and school bus applicants must test in the appropriate class and size of bus.

School bus drivers must hold both the passenger endorsement and school bus endorsement.

Existing CDL holders adding passenger or school bus privileges must obtain the applicable endorsed CLP, hold it for at least 14 days, and complete the vehicle inspection, basic control, and road portions of the skills test.

Testing in a passenger vehicle or school bus rated below 26,001 pounds can result in a restriction against operating larger buses.

Military CDL skills-test waiver

Certain active-duty service members and recently separated veterans may qualify for a waiver of the CDL skills test based on qualifying military commercial-vehicle experience.

The applicant must still meet identity, residency, medical, eligibility, and knowledge-test requirements.

How to study the Arizona CDL manual

1. Choose the correct CDL class. Determine whether you need Class A, B, or C.
2. Identify every endorsement. List HazMat, Tank, Passenger, School Bus, or Doubles and Triples.
3. Study General Knowledge first. Build your foundation in inspections, speed, space, hazards, and emergencies.
4. Add Air Brakes when applicable. Learn components, warning devices, pressure rules, leakage limits, and inspection steps.
5. Add Combination Vehicles for Class A. Focus on coupling, trailer air systems, rollover risk, off-tracking, and inspections.
6. Study endorsements separately. Keep HazMat, Tank, Passenger, School Bus, and Doubles and Triples in focused study sessions.
7. Practice by topic. Use missed questions to identify the exact manual section that needs review.
8. Prepare separately for the skills test. Practice vehicle-inspection language, basic control maneuvers, and road-test habits in a representative vehicle.

Arizona CDL preparation checklist

• Read the current Arizona CDL Manual.
• Confirm your CDL class and endorsements.
• Prepare authorized-presence and residency documents.
• Provide your Social Security number.
• Confirm required driving-history documentation.
• Complete CDL medical self-certification.
• Verify whether a medical certificate is required.
• Check whether ELDT applies.
• Pass all applicable knowledge tests with at least 80 percent.
• Hold the CLP for at least 14 days.
• Practice the vehicle inspection aloud.
• Practice basic vehicle control maneuvers.
• Schedule an Arizona CDL skills test.

Related CDL Mastery guides

• CDL Permit Test Beginner Guide
• CDL General Knowledge Test Study Guide
• CDL Air Brakes Study Guide
• CDL Combination Vehicles Study Guide
• Pre-Trip Inspection Study Method
• Who Needs Entry-Level Driver Training?