Commercial Drivers (CDL)

Generally, if the vehicle you drive has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or is designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or you transport hazardous material in an amount which must be placarded, then you are required to have a Commercial Driver License (CDL) to operate that vehicle. If you need more detailed information to determine if you are required to hold a CDL, please refer to Wyoming law [W.S. 31-7-304] .

There are exemptions for military, firefighters, farmers and ranchers; however, you are still required to hold the non-commercial class of license with the proper endorsements for the vehicle you are driving. 

Citizenship Requirements:

  1. You must be a U.S. citizen; having been born in the United States, or born abroad of U.S. parents.  
  2. You must be a naturalized citizen; having been born outside the U.S., or 
  3. Your status with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services must be "lawful permanent resident" or "conditional resident." 

Mexican and Canadian citizens: must obtain a CDL from their country prior to applying for a Wyoming commercial license. To be eligible, your status with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services must be "lawful permanent resident."

Questions regarding federal regulations for commercial drivers should be directed to FMCSA at 307-772-2305.

Use the links at the left to find specific information concerning disqualifications, endorsements, and medical waivers.  If you have any questions not answered therein, please feel free to contact our Help Desk at 307-777-4810.

Pictures of trucks

FEDERAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ASSESSMENT INFO:   www.hazprints.com   OR call 1-877-429-7746  

For questions about disqualifying offenses:   www.hazprints.tsa.dhs.gov

Before WYDOT can issue or renew a CDL license with a hazardous materials endorsement, TSA must complete a security threat assessment to determine if you pose a security threat. Once the assessment is completed, you will receive a letter in the mail from TSA.  A security threat assessment is required at least every five years. 

NOTE:  You should allow at least 30-60 days to complete the TSA application and fingerprinting process. If you choose to be issued a CDL without the hazardous materials endorsement pending approval from TSA, you are required to reapply and pay another licensing fee once the assessment has been completed and approved to have the endorsement added to your CDL. Driver Services must be notified by TSA that you are approved BEFORE your hard-copy license can be released.

First-Time Hazmat Applicants:  are required to complete the assessment prior to being issued a CDL driver license with the hazardous materials endorsement. You must pass the written test for the Hazardous Materials endorsement.

Applicants renewing their Wyoming CDL with Hazardous Materials Endorsements:  must renew in person and complete the assessment prior to renewing. You will be required to pass the written test for Hazardous Materials each time you renew to retain the endorsement. You cannot renew by mail if you want to retain the hazardous materials endorsement.

Applicants transferring their CDL to a Wyoming CDL:  If you have completed a TSA Assessment in another state within the previous five years, the examiner will have to verify with the TSA Web site your approval date.  The Wyoming CDL license with the hazardous materials endorsement will be issued only for the time period left on your five-year TSA Assessment. You can choose to complete a new TSA Assessment prior to being issued the Wyoming CDL if you want to be issued a full-term license. You will be required to pass the written test for Hazardous Materials to retain the endorsement.

After completing the application (either online or through a TSA agent by phone), take your confirmation number with you to one of the TSA fingerprinting sites listed on its Web site. To be fingerprinted, you must present one "primary" and one "secondary" form of identification to the TSA agent:

Primary forms of identification include: 

  • State-issued driver license or ID card with photo, name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address
  • U.S. retired or active-duty military ID card
  • U.S. military dependent ID card
  • ID card issued by federal, state or local government agency or entity with photo, name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address.
  • U.S. passport (current and valid)
  • Unexpired foreign passport with I-551 stamp or INS form I-94 indicating unexpired employment authorization
  • Certificate of U.S. citizenship (form N-560 or N-561)
  • Permanent resident card or alien registration receipt card with photo (form I-151 or I-551)
  • Certificate of Naturalization (form N-550 or N-570)

Secondary forms of identification include:

  • Voter registration card
  • U.S. Cost Guard Merchange Mariner card
  • U.S. Social Security card (cannot be stamped: NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT)
  • Original or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipality or outlying possession of the U.S. bearing an official seal and signature
  • U.S. Citizen ID card (INS form I-197)
  • Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State (form FS-545 or DS-1350)
  • Native American tribal document or ID card
  • U.S. military discharge papers (DD-214)
  • Civil marriage certificate
  • U.S. adoption papers

Upon receipt, present your approval letter from TSA to your local driver exam office to apply for the CDL license with the hazardous materials endorsement. You must pass all required test(s) and Driver Services must have received clearance from TSA prior to issuing the license.