New Commercial Licensing Requirements

Effective May 10, 2017, pursuant to federal law, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will require all new and existing commercial driver license (CDL) applicants to provide DMV with the following:

 

•  Proof of U.S. citizenship/lawful permanent residency/legal presence 

•  Proof of residency (domicile).

 

The new requirements apply to original and renewal CDL applicants, as well as CDL cardholders who request a license upgrade. Applicants who have started their CDL application, but have not completed the process by May 9, 2017, will be required to meet the new requirements. 

 

CDL applicants must submit one of the following genuine documents bearing his or her true full name as proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or legal presence:

• Valid/unexpired U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card

• Certified copy of a U.S. Birth Certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office)

• Certified copy of a Birth Certificate issued from one of the following U.S. Territories: 

o American Samoa

o District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.)

o Swain’s Island

o Puerto Rico (issued on or after July 1, 2010)

o U.S. Virgin Islands (issued on or after January 17, 1917)

o Guam (issued on or after April 10, 1899)

o Northern Mariana Islands (issued after November 4, 1986)

• U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen

• Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship

• Valid/unexpired Permanent Resident Card

• Valid/unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

• Valid/unexpired foreign passport with an approved Record of Arrival/Departure

 

CDL applicants must submit acceptable proof of residency in California. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

• Rental or lease agreement

• Mortgage bill

• Home utility bill

• Employment document

• Tax return

 

For a complete list of acceptable documents, please visit: California Residency Requirement for New Driver License (DL) and Identification Card (ID) Applicants

 

Please note:  If you do not yet have a California driver license and you are applying for a CDL, you must present two documents as proof of residency.  Existing California driver license cardholders applying for, upgrading, or renewing a CDL, are only required to present one document as proof of residency.