Alabama CDL Classes, Age Limits, and Application Documents

Alabama Class A covers a combination rated at 26,001 pounds or more when the towed unit exceeds 10,000 pounds. Class B covers a single vehicle at 26,001 pounds or more and such a vehicle towing no more than 10,000 pounds. Class C applies below those thresholds when designed for 16 or more people including the driver or used for placarded hazardous material.

ALEA's current driver manual lists unrestricted Class A and B and Class C at age 21, while a restricted Class B credential is available at age 18. The restricted credential does not create interstate, passenger, or hazardous-material authority that requires age 21.

ALEA lists a current driver license, Social Security verification, two proofs of principal Alabama residence, and applicable identity or lawful-status documents. An out-of-state transfer also needs a primary identity document, and a noncitizen CDL applicant must meet the current permanent-status and Alabama-domicile rule.

Required medical information must appear through the electronic federal-to-state process, and missing or inaccurate medical data blocks issuance. A first-time or upgrading applicant also supplies proof of insurance and a representative test vehicle for the appointment-only skills test.

Knowledge testing, CLP issuance, the 14-day hold, ELDT, skills testing, TSA review for H or X, medical qualification, and final credential purchase are independent gates. Paying one fee or passing one module does not satisfy the others.

Apply each rule to the exact Alabama credential, vehicle, age, domicile, medical status, test stage, date, cargo, passenger use, and route. Current ALEA and ALDOR pages control time-sensitive procedures; the 24-page modernized supplement replaces the old inspection and basic-control testing sections from July 1, 2025.