Skip the CDL Road Test — Your Military Driving Counts for Twelve Months
New Jersey waives the CDL behind-the-wheel skills examination for an active, reserve or veteran applicant who served WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS in a military post requiring the operation of a vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle. A commanding-officer certification is required, which is worth getting BEFORE you separate — chasing a signature from a unit you have left is the part that goes wrong. You need a valid New Jersey driver licence to apply.
Verified August 27, 2026
What this benefit is
New Jersey waives the CDL behind-the-wheel skills examination for an active, reserve or veteran applicant who served WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS in a military post requiring the operation of a vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle. A commanding-officer certification is required, which is worth getting BEFORE you separate — chasing a signature from a unit you have left is the part that goes wrong. You need a valid New Jersey driver licence to apply.
What it's worth: The CDL behind-the-wheel skills examination waived
- Waives the BEHIND-THE-WHEEL SKILLS examination.
- You must have served WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS in a military post requiring operation of a vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle.
- A COMMANDING-OFFICER CERTIFICATION is required.
- A valid New Jersey driver licence is needed to apply.
- Open to active, reserve and veteran applicants.
- The knowledge tests and ordinary CDL requirements are not addressed by this waiver.
Who is entitled to it
- You serve or served in the U.S. armed forces.
- You drove heavy vehicles in service.
- New Jersey commercial licensing.
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
Deadline: Within 12 months of the qualifying post- 1GET THE COMMANDING-OFFICER CERTIFICATION BEFORE YOU SEPARATE if you can. It is far harder afterwards.
- 2Work out the date you last held the qualifying post — the 12 months runs from there, not from discharge.
- 3Apply to the Motor Vehicle Commission with a valid New Jersey licence.
- 4Prepare for the knowledge tests; this waiver addresses the road test.
- 5If the year is nearly up, apply now rather than waiting for a job offer.
- Form
- Military skills test waiver, NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
- File with
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
- Documents you will need
- dd214
- No renewal
- Once granted it does not need renewing.
Sources
- authority · published policyNJ MVC — military CDL skills test waiver
- operating · published policyNew Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.