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

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;
Have or get a valid CLP before taking the CDL Skills Test;
Pay for and pass the pre-trip inspection, basic control skills and drive tests in a commercial motor vehicle with air brakes; and
Pay the replacement license fee.

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

You must:

Pass a vision test;
Have or get a valid CLP before taking the CDL Skills 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.

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.

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)];
Complete Entry Level Driver Training if you are obtaining a hazardous materials endorsement for the first time (see below);
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.

Entry Level Driver Training

You must successfully complete Entry Level Driver Training instruction provided by a school or other entity on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry prior to taking a hazardous material endorsement knowledge test.
You are not required to complete applicable Entry Level Driver Training if you have proof that you have held a hazardous material endorsement at any time in the past.
Individuals looking for an authorized training provider can use the search feature on the Training Provider Registry:
Individuals that have completed training and want to verify their Entry Level Driver Training has been uploaded can do so on the Training Provider Registry.

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.

Security Threat Assessment Exemption

The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has seen a significant increase in the number of Security Threat Assessment (STA) requests. As a result, there have been processing delays and, in some instances, TSA has been unable to complete STAs within the 60-day period that drivers are instructed to submit their application. On September 15, 2022, TSA issued an exemption that permits states to grant certain Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) holders a 180-day extension on the STA. DMV has adopted the exemption and is deferring cancellation for individuals whose STA expire on or after July 1, 2022, and on or before December 27, 2022. The deferred cancellation date will be 180 days after the expiration day of an individual’s most recent STA (Expiration + 180 days). Individuals that qualified for this exemption and were cancelled or have a pending cancellation will receive a notice from DMV withdrawing the previous notice that they received.

Individuals that had their hazardous materials endorsement removed as a result of receiving a notice of cancellation may be eligible for a no fee replacement.

If you have questions regarding eligibility for a no fee replacement or this exemption, please contact customer assistance at:

Bend: 541-388-6322
Medford: 541-776-6025
Portland Metro: 503-299-9999
Roseburg: 541-440-3395
Salem Metro Area: 503-945-5000
Statewide Relay (TTY): 7-1-1

You can check the current status of your CDL at DMV2U - Login (oregon.gov).

This exemption does not affect any other requirements for a CDL.

Hazardous Materials Endorsement holders needing to renew their TSA STA should submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure that they are completed timely.

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.