Commercial driver self-certification

All commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders need to provide self-certification of driving type

Commercial driver self-certification

All commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders need to provide self-certification of driving type

Steps for CDL self-certification

Federal law requires every commercial driver’s license-holder or commercial learner’s permit-holder to self-certify as to driving type. See steps below for how you can complete this certification online through the DMV’s self-certification system.

Step 1: Go to the DMV’s online self-certification system and follow the prompts. Use the self-certification driving types guide below to identify how to certify yourself.

Step 2: Print out the email confirmation you receive from the DMV and bring it with you to a DMV office to:

  • Apply for a new CDL
  • Renew a CDL
  • Apply for an upgrade to a higher-class CDL
  • Apply for a new endorsement
  • Transfer a CDL from another state
  • Change your driving type

Self-certification driving types

Category 1: Non-excepted interstate (NI)
A driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle both in and outside the boundaries of Connecticut. This category is for drivers 21 years of age or older that do not have or require a "K" or "W" restriction on their Commercial Driver's License.

Note: If any CMV you drive crosses the CT state line—into NY, MASS, RI, including for purchasing of fuel or picking up occasional loads—at any time, you are interstate.

Category 2: Non-excepted intrastate (NA) 
A driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle only within the boundaries of Connecticut. This category is for drivers meeting any of the following conditions:

  • Under 21 years of age or
  • Maintaining or requiring a medical waiver "W" restriction on their Commercial Driver's License, or
  • Choosing to add or maintain an intrastate-only "K" restriction on their Commercial Driver's License.

Category 3: Excepted interstate (EI)
A driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle outside of Connecticut, only for excepted purposes listed below:

  • 49 CFR §390.3(f): School bus operations, state and federal transportation, occasional transportation of personal property not for compensation, transportation of human corpses or sick/injured persons, fire trucks and rescue vehicles, commercial vehicles designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver), transportation of propane winter heating fuel when responding to an emergency requiring immediate response.
  • 49 CFR §391.2: Farm custom operations, apiarian industries (beekeepers seasonally transporting bees), certain farm vehicle drivers.
  • 49 CFR §391.68: Private motor carrier of passengers (non-business).
  • 49 CFR §398.3:  Driver of migrant workers.

Category 4: Excepted intrastate (EA)
A driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle only within Connecticut (intrastate commerce) only for an excepted purpose listed below:

  • A self-propelled implement of husbandry or an implement of husbandry being drawn by a farm tractor, or another implement of husbandry; public utility, telephone, and cable television company service vehicles that do not meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle in 46 CFR part 383; or public utility service vehicle used in cases of emergency.