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CDL Road Test Waived — a Year After Discharge, or Two Years' Permit While Serving

Tennessee waives the CDL road skills test for veterans DISCHARGED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, and for active duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel who have held a MILITARY OPERATOR'S PERMIT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. The two tests apply to different people: recent discharge for veterans, two years of permit for those still serving. THE KNOWLEDGE TEST IS STILL REQUIRED and there is no fee waiver — this saves the road test and nothing else.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

Tennessee waives the CDL road skills test for veterans DISCHARGED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, and for active duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel who have held a MILITARY OPERATOR'S PERMIT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. The two tests apply to different people: recent discharge for veterans, two years of permit for those still serving. THE KNOWLEDGE TEST IS STILL REQUIRED and there is no fee waiver — this saves the road test and nothing else.

What it's worth: The CDL road skills test waived

  • VETERANS: DISCHARGED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR.
  • STILL SERVING (active duty, National Guard, Reserve): held a MILITARY OPERATOR'S PERMIT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.
  • The two tests apply to different people — do not read the two-year permit requirement as applying to a discharged veteran.
  • THE CDL KNOWLEDGE TEST IS STILL REQUIRED.
  • NO FEE WAIVER. This saves the road test only.
  • Administered by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Who is entitled to it

  • You serve or served in the U.S. armed forces.
  • You drove heavy vehicles in service.
  • Tennessee 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 one year of discharge
  1. 1If you have left the service, diary one year from discharge — that is your window.
  2. 2If you are still serving, check you have held the military operator's permit for two years.
  3. 3Study for the knowledge test. It is not waived.
  4. 4Budget for the ordinary CDL fees; there is no fee waiver here.
  5. 5Get any certification signed while you still have access to your unit.
Form
Application to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security
File with
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Documents you will need
dd214
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingA veteran discharged eleven months ago qualifies on the discharge route and need not have held a permit for two years. The requirements are alternatives, not cumulative.

Sources

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