Florida CDL Cost in 2026: State Fees, Testing, Training & Funding

The cheapest-looking CDL quote is rarely the full cost. In Florida, separate the costs into state licensing fees, third-party skills testing, medical qualification, ELDT or school tuition, and optional endorsements. That prevents a school advertisement from being mistaken for the total amount required to become employable.

Florida state CDL fees

• Original or renewal commercial driver license: $75 under Florida Statute 322.21.
• Each standard CDL endorsement required under Florida Statute 322.57: $7.
• Hazardous-materials endorsement: separate fee set by the department and tied to background-check and issuance costs; the statute caps the department fee at $100.
• After failing the initial knowledge examination, each subsequent state knowledge test carries a $10 statutory re-examination fee.
• After failing the initial skills examination, each subsequent state skills test carries a $20 statutory re-examination fee.

Tax collector offices can add service charges to motorist-services transactions. Also, Florida CDL skills testing is delivered through approved third-party providers, and those businesses can have their own scheduling, testing, vehicle-rental, or retest prices. Do not treat the $20 statutory re-examination amount as the entire price of a commercial third-party retest.

Medical exam cost

A DOT physical is a private medical service, so Florida does not set one statewide retail price. Use a medical examiner listed on FMCSA's National Registry. Before booking, ask whether the quoted price includes urinalysis used for the physical, paperwork, and any follow-up needed to complete the certificate.

CDL training cost varies widely

Florida has public-college programs, private truck-driving schools, employer-sponsored programs, and stand-alone ELDT providers. Price alone is a weak comparison because one program may include the testing vehicle and two skills-test attempts while another may charge those separately.

Current Florida examples

• Indian River State College currently lists Class A commercial-vehicle training at $7,500 and Class B at $2,500. Its Class A program can be completed in as little as four weeks.
• Broward College currently advertises a four-week, 160-hour Class A CDL course that includes two CDL test attempts and job-placement support.
• Northwest Florida State College currently offers CDL training through FleetForce, including 160-hour Class A and 40-hour Class B options.

WIOA funding through CareerSource Florida

WIOA can pay for eligible occupational training, but it is not an automatic statewide voucher for any CDL school. Florida maintains an Eligible Training Provider List, and local workforce boards apply eligibility, funding, and priority rules. Start with your local CareerSource office and verify that the exact CDL program—not just the school—is eligible before enrolling.

Workforce Pell: useful, but program-specific

Florida began implementing the federal Workforce Pell program in 2026 and announced an initial list of eligible short-term workforce programs in September. This does not make every Florida CDL course Pell-eligible. Institutions must have an approved program, and student financial-aid eligibility still applies. Ask the college financial-aid office whether the exact CDL program appears on the current approved list.

Military and employer funding

Eligible veterans may be able to use VA education benefits at approved schools, and some carriers pay for training in exchange for an employment commitment. Read repayment clauses carefully. A 'free CDL' program can become expensive if leaving the employer early creates a training debt.

Build your real budget before enrolling

1. Get the school's written tuition and fee sheet.
2. Add the DOT physical and any required background-check costs.
3. Ask what third-party skills testing and vehicle rental cost.
4. Add Florida license and endorsement fees.
5. Subtract only funding that has actually been approved—not grants you hope to receive.

Sources reviewed for this guide include the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the 2026 Florida Statutes, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Requirements and provider availability can change, so verify time-sensitive details with the responsible agency or testing provider before an appointment.