Virginia CDL Virginia Commercial Learner's Permit and Supervised Practice

A Virginia applicant passes General Knowledge and every additional knowledge module required for the intended class, air-brake equipment, and learner endorsements before the CLP is issued. General Knowledge alone may not cover the vehicle used for training.

The current Virginia CLP is valid for one year and cannot be renewed. If it expires before the applicant completes the process, the applicant must reapply under the rules and testing requirements then in effect.

A first-time applicant, an upgrade applicant, and a person adding a skills-tested endorsement or removing a skills-tested restriction must hold the appropriate CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test.

The CLP authorizes operation only in the class and type shown and only when accompanied by a driver licensed for the same type of vehicle. The supervisor and learner must also obey passenger, tank, brake, medical, intrastate, and other restrictions.

The 14-day hold does not replace ELDT. For Class A, Class B, P, or S where ELDT applies, Virginia verifies training electronically before testing. A permit nearing expiration should not be used to schedule a test that cannot be completed and issued in time.

Apply each rule to the exact Virginia credential, age, residence, legal-presence status, medical category, test stage, date, vehicle group, brake system, passenger use, cargo, and route. Current Virginia DMV webpages supersede older supplement text when a procedure or transaction changed after May 1, 2023.