Required Documents to Apply for a CDL
- Valid DOT Medical Certification Card
- NOTE: Government employees must have a current, valid D.O.T. medical certification card if submitting an application for a CDL with a HazMat (H), Passenger (P) or School Bus (S) endorsement
- Proof of Social Security Number
- Tennessee Driver License or ID, or a valid Driver License or CDL from another state
- Two (2) Proofs of Tennessee Residence
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident Status
NOTE: All documents are subject to further verification with the issuing agency or source. Documents subject to verification may delay the issuance of your license.
NOTE: All items must be original documents. No photocopies will be accepted.
NOTE: All documents are required to be current, issued within the past four (4) months. Internal Revenue Service documents must be from the current tax year.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
- Certified birth certificate filed with a State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual's State of birth, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State. (DS-1350 or FS-545)
- Certificate of Naturalization issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (N550, N570 or N578)
- Certificate of Citizenship issued by DHS. (N560 or N561)
Proof of Lawful Permanent Residency
- Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card, issued by USCIS or INS.
Proof of Tennessee Residency
- Current utility bill including landline telephone, electric, water, gas, cable, etc. Wireless/cell phone bills will not be accepted.
- Current vehicle registration (personal vehicle not company vehicle) dated within the last 12 months.
- Tennessee vehicle title showing residential address. A title and vehicle registration cannot be used as both proofs.
- Mortgage papers – such as the property deed or mortgage payment coupon/book.
- Copy of Lease Agreement or Contract with notarized signatures OR accompanied by signed realty agency letterhead confirming lease validity.
- Voter registration card – NOT the application for voter registration.
- Military LES papers listing Tennessee as home of record.
- Current filed tax return - not tax return booklet.
The following documents will NOT be approved:
- Bank statements
- Cell phone bills
- Credit card statements
- Utility connection or deposit receipt
- Employer letters
- Extended stay hotel receipts
- Magazine subscriptions or junk mail
- Personal or business postmarked mail
- Prescription bottles
- USCIS identity documents (i.e. I-551, I-766, Visas, etc.)
- Hunting, fishing or boating licenses
- Letters from a public or private school or educational institution
Proof of Relationship
Residency may also be established through proof of relationship to a spouse, parent/child, sibling, or grandparent.
- The spouse, parent/child, sibling, or grandparent of the CDL applicant needing to use a relative's address and domicile documents MUST hold a valid Tennessee Driver License or ID Only License.
- The CDL applicant will be required to present two (2) documents with a Tennessee residential address in the name of the immediate relative. This relative must be present at the time of application. This is required for out-of-state transfers and Regular Driver License upgrades.
- CDL applicants using items in the name of one of these immediate relatives as proof of domicile must also provide proof of the relationship such as:
- Spouse - marriage certificate
- Parent/Child - Birth Certificate
- Sibling - both the applicant AND the sibling’s birth certificates to verify they share at least one common parent.
- Grandparent - applicant's birth certificate AND birth certificate of the applicant's parent. This is necessary to show that the grandparent is the mother/father of the applicant’s parent.