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A CDL Without the Driving Test — the Window Is 12 Months

California waives the CDL driving skills test for active duty, reserve and National Guard members, and for veterans whose DD-214 shows discharge within the last 12 months, who were regularly employed operating a commercial-motor-vehicle equivalent with about two years' experience and no disqualifying offences. The Even Exchange route additionally waives the knowledge tests. School bus and passenger endorsements are never waived.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

California waives the CDL driving skills test for active duty, reserve and National Guard members, and for veterans whose DD-214 shows discharge within the last 12 months, who were regularly employed operating a commercial-motor-vehicle equivalent with about two years' experience and no disqualifying offences. The Even Exchange route additionally waives the knowledge tests. School bus and passenger endorsements are never waived.

What it's worth: The CDL driving skills test waived — and the knowledge tests too, on the Even Exchange route

  • The window for a veteran is 12 MONTHS: the DD-214 must show discharge within the last year. Active duty, reserve and Guard members can apply while serving.
  • It asks for regular employment in a military position operating a commercial-motor-vehicle equivalent, with about two years' experience, and no disqualifying driving offences.
  • The forms are DL 963 and DL 964; DL 965 is the commercial waiver.
  • The Even Exchange route additionally waives the KNOWLEDGE tests for qualified applicants, not only the driving test.
  • School bus and passenger endorsements are NEVER waived.
  • What it saves is the cost and time of skills testing, 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.
  • You are applying in California.

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. 1Start before you separate if you can. The veteran window is 12 months from discharge and there is no extension.
  2. 2Get the certification of your driving employment while you still have a chain of command to sign it.
  3. 3Ask specifically about Even Exchange as well as the skills waiver — Even Exchange waives the knowledge tests too, and is a separate route.
  4. 4Expect to test for school bus and passenger endorsements. Those are never waived.
  5. 5Check your driving record. Disqualifying offences end the waiver route regardless of experience.
Form
DL 963 / DL 964 (DL 965 commercial waiver)
File with
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal needed

Sources

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