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A CDL Without the Road Test — Your Military Driving Counts

A current service member, or someone within one year of discharge, who held a qualifying military driving specialty may be issued a commercial driving licence without the road skills test and without Entry Level Driver Training. It asks for at least two years operating a comparable military vehicle, a two-year clean driving record, and a commanding officer's certification. It does not waive the Hazardous Materials or School Bus endorsements.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

A current service member, or someone within one year of discharge, who held a qualifying military driving specialty may be issued a commercial driving licence without the road skills test and without Entry Level Driver Training. It asks for at least two years operating a comparable military vehicle, a two-year clean driving record, and a commanding officer's certification. It does not waive the Hazardous Materials or School Bus endorsements.

What it's worth: A CDL issued without the road skills test or Entry Level Driver Training

  • The window is tight: current service members, or those within ONE YEAR of discharge. It closes fast and cannot be reopened.
  • The specialty must be a qualifying one — motor transport operator, vehicle operator, fueler and similar.
  • It asks for at least two years operating a military vehicle comparable to a commercial motor vehicle, and a two-year clean driving record.
  • A commanding officer's certification is required, which is far easier to obtain before you leave than after.
  • It does NOT waive the Hazardous Materials or School Bus endorsements. Those are tested as normal.
  • What it saves is the cost and time of skills testing and Entry Level Driver Training, which is substantial but not published as a figure.

Who is entitled to it

  • You served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You have qualifying military driving experience.
  • Your home is in Alaska.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Get the commanding officer's certification BEFORE you leave, if you possibly can. It is the hardest part to obtain afterwards and the window is one year.
  2. 2Apply at the Division of Motor Vehicles with the certification and your driving record.
  3. 3Check that your specialty is on the qualifying list — motor transport operator, vehicle operator, fueler and similar.
  4. 4Expect to be tested for Hazardous Materials or School Bus endorsements if you want them. Those are not waived.
  5. 5If you are past one year from discharge, this is closed. Ask the DMV what remains.
Form
CDL skills test waiver application
File with
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.

Sources

Why only one source type: The DMV both sets and operates this waiver, and its military and veteran services page is the whole of the published rule. There is no separate operating source to cite.

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.