CDL Cost in Michigan 2026: State Fees, Skills Test & Training

Michigan's state-issued CDL fee is relatively easy to understand; the expensive part is usually training and the privately administered skills test. Any cost estimate that quotes only the Secretary of State fee is incomplete.

Official Michigan CDL fees

• The current Michigan Secretary of State fee schedule lists a standard first-time commercial driver's license at $25 and a standard CDL renewal at $25.
• The general fee schedule lists replace/correct at $18 and a standard CDL group designation or endorsement at $5 each.
• Michigan's CDL application instructions separately say that after passing the skills test, an applicant returning to SOS pays the applicable $5 group/endorsement fee and $9 to correct a standard license. Because these official pages describe different transaction contexts, confirm the exact SOS charge for your own transaction before budgeting.

The skills-test fee is separate

Michigan does not administer CDL driving skills tests at Secretary of State offices. Approved Driver Testing Businesses conduct them, and the state does not regulate what those businesses charge. That means there is no honest statewide skills-test price. Call the tester before booking and ask for the initial test fee, retest fee, cancellation policy, vehicle-rental cost if offered, and any charge for arriving with incomplete documents or defective equipment.

Training is the biggest variable

First-time Class A and B applicants subject to ELDT need training from a provider registered with FMCSA. Michigan also regulates truck driver education providers at the state level, so a legitimate school should be verifiable both through the Michigan provider search and, when ELDT applies, the federal Training Provider Registry. Tuition varies widely by format, equipment access, program length, and whether a school includes the test vehicle or third-party test.

Before paying out of pocket, check workforce funding

Michigan Works! administers WIOA career and training services locally. Funding is not automatic and WIOA is not an entitlement program, but eligible adults may receive occupational-skills training assistance. If an Individual Training Account will be used, verify the specific school and CDL program in Michigan Training Connect before enrolling or paying a nonrefundable deposit.

A better way to compare quotes

• Separate state licensing fees from school tuition and the independent skills-test fee.
• Ask whether the quote includes permit preparation, ELDT theory, behind-the-wheel training, test vehicle use, and the first skills-test attempt.
• Ask what happens financially if you need more driving hours or a retest.
• Confirm funding approval before signing a contract if you are using Michigan Works!, WIOA, employer assistance, or another grant.

Official sources checked

Michigan Secretary of State license-fee schedule and Driver Testing Business guidance; Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity WIOA guidance; Michigan Training Connect; FMCSA Training Provider Registry rules. Last verified October 6, 2026.