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Two CDL Routes — and Even Exchange Skips the Written Test as Well

North Carolina runs two military CDL routes. EVEN EXCHANGE waives BOTH the knowledge and the skills tests, for holders of a military driver licence with an approved MOS on the FMCSA list. The MILITARY CDL SKILLS WAIVER waives the skills test only, for a North Carolina-licensed service member employed in a post operating a commercial-motor-vehicle equivalent. Which one you are on is decided by your military occupational specialty, not by how many miles you drove — so check the FMCSA list before booking a written test.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

North Carolina runs two military CDL routes. EVEN EXCHANGE waives BOTH the knowledge and the skills tests, for holders of a military driver licence with an approved MOS on the FMCSA list. The MILITARY CDL SKILLS WAIVER waives the skills test only, for a North Carolina-licensed service member employed in a post operating a commercial-motor-vehicle equivalent. Which one you are on is decided by your military occupational specialty, not by how many miles you drove — so check the FMCSA list before booking a written test.

What it's worth: Skills test waived, or both knowledge and skills on the Even Exchange route

  • EVEN EXCHANGE waives BOTH the CDL knowledge and skills tests, for holders of a MILITARY DRIVER LICENCE with an APPROVED MOS on the FMCSA list.
  • The MILITARY CDL SKILLS WAIVER waives the SKILLS test only.
  • The skills waiver route needs a NORTH CAROLINA LICENCE and employment in a military post operating a commercial-motor-vehicle equivalent.
  • WHICH ROUTE YOU ARE ON DEPENDS ON YOUR MOS, not on how much you drove.
  • Check the FMCSA approved list before booking a written test.
  • Ordinary CDL fees and medical certification are not addressed by these waivers.
  • Administered by the NCDMV CDL Section.

Who is entitled to it

  • You serve or served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You drove heavy vehicles in service.
  • North Carolina 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

  1. 1Look up your MOS on the FMCSA approved list FIRST. If it is there, Even Exchange means no written test either.
  2. 2If your MOS is not listed, apply on the skills waiver route instead — you will still avoid the road test.
  3. 3Get any commanding-officer certification while you are still with the unit.
  4. 4Apply to the NCDMV CDL Section.
  5. 5Budget for the ordinary CDL fees and the DOT medical certification; those are not waived.
Form
Military CDL waiver application, NCDMV CDL Section
File with
NC Division of Motor Vehicles, CDL Section
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingTwo drivers with identical experience can be on different routes because of their specialty. Check the list rather than reasoning from how much you drove.

Sources

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