Veterans & Military · Surprise rank #152
Drove Heavy Vehicles in the Military? NY Can Waive the CDL Road Test
New York DMV can waive the commercial-driver skills road test for qualifying current or recently separated military drivers with sufficient experience operating comparable commercial vehicles.
Who
Current service members or people separated within the past year who regularly operated qualifying commercial motor vehicles in active duty or the New York National Guard.
What to do
Start here: Complete DMV Form CDL-102 with the required military certification and apply while still serving or within one year after leaving the qualifying military driving position.
Eligibility: The applicant must meet DMV's military-driving experience rules, including generally operating the same type of commercial vehicle for at least two years immediately before discharge or application if still serving.
What you get
A qualifying military applicant can skip the CDL skills road test.
Benefit: The CDL skills-road-test requirement and associated test burden; ordinary permit, knowledge-test and license requirements still apply.
Possible value: Mostly time and testing savings rather than a large cash award.
Good to know
Important: The waiver covers the skills road test, not the written CDL tests or all licensing fees. You still must satisfy every other CDL requirement.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Military drivers may assume civilian CDL rules require starting from scratch even when their documented military driving experience can replace the road test.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026