CDL Endorsements & Restrictions

To drive certain commercial motor vehicles in Oregon you will need to:

Get certain endorsements; or
Remove certain restrictions.

To learn how to add an endorsement or remove a restriction from your CDL, choose a topic below.

CDL Endorsement & Restriction Codes

Air Brake Restriction Removal

To drive a commercial motor vehicle with air brakes, you must have this restriction removed.

You must:

Pay for and pass the Air Brakes Knowledge Test;
Pass a vision test;
Get and hold a commercial learner permit for 14 days before the CDL skills test;
Pay for and pass a basic control skills and drive test (including pre-trip vehicle inspection) in a commercial motor vehicle with air brakes; and
Pay the replacement license fee.

Automatic Transmission Commercial Motor Vehicle Restriction Removal

To drive a commercial motor vehicle equipped with a manual transmission you must have this restriction removed.

You must:

Pass a vision test;
Get and hold a commercial learner permit for 14 days before the CDL drive test;
Pay for and pass the pre-trip inspection, basic control skills and drive tests in a commercial motor vehicle with a manual transmission; and
Pay the replacement license fee.

Doubles/Triples Endorsement

You must have this endorsement to drive any commercial motor vehicle pulling double or triple trailers.

You must:

Have, or meet the requirements for, a Class A CDL;
Pay for and pass the Doubles and Triples Endorsement Knowledge Test;
Pass a vision screening; and
Pay the endorsement and replacement fee.

Hazardous Materials Endorsement

A hazardous materials endorsement allows you to drive any vehicle carrying hazardous materials.

You must:

Meet the requirements for, or have, a CDL;
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident [ORS 807.173(1)(c)];
Pay for and pass the HAZMAT Endorsement Knowledge Test;
Pay for and pass a Transportation Security Administration Criminal Background Check (see below);
Pass a vision test; and
Pay the endorsement and replacement fee.

Note: You are required to pass the HAZMAT Knowledge Test every time you renew your license.

Transportation Security Administration Security Threat Assessment

You must pass a TSA security check every five years to keep this endorsement.
The security check can take 60 days or more to complete.

You must pass another TSA security check if you are coming from another state and your last TSA check was more than 4 years and 9 months ago.

We will verify the date of a previous security check with the TSA.
You must start a TSA security check online at the TSA website or by calling Universal Enrollment Services at 855-347-8371.

Check the status of your case to see if you passed.

Passenger Endorsement Restriction

An "M" restriction means you may drive Class B and Class C passenger vehicles.
An "N" restriction means you may drive Class C passenger vehicles.

Note: We do not know of any Class A passenger vehicles currently driven within Oregon. All passenger endorsements are currently restricted.

To change an "N" restriction to an "M" restriction, you must:

Pass the CDL skills test in a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds; and
Pay the testing and replacement fees.