Colorado CDL Endorsements
Endorsements are add-ons to your Colorado CDL that authorize specific vehicle types or cargo. Each requires a separate knowledge test, taken through Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles, and the endorsement codes are federal, so a Colorado endorsement is recognized in every state. With oil and gas field services, agriculture, ski resort and mountain freight shaping Colorado freight, the examples under each endorsement show where that endorsement pays off locally.
Not all endorsements apply to every CDL class. Use the CDL Selector to find what you need.
When It's Required in Colorado
In Colorado (CO), required to transport any quantity of hazardous materials that require placarding under federal HazMat regulations.
What to Study for the CO Test
For the Colorado (CO) Hazardous Materials test, study shipping papers, placard and label selection, safe loading and segregation, emergency response procedures, and security-awareness requirements under federal law.
Hazardous Materials in Colorado (CO)
- Oil and gas field services: fuel, propane, and oilfield chemical deliveries that require placards (X endorsement with Tank)
When It's Required in Colorado
In Colorado (CO), required for vehicles designed to transport liquids or gases in a tank permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle, with individual tank capacity of more than 119 gallons.
What to Study for the CO Test
For the Colorado (CO) Tank Vehicles test, study liquid surge and baffled tanks, outage allowances, inspections, high-center-of-gravity handling, and rollover prevention strategies.
Tank Vehicles in Colorado (CO)
- Oil and gas field services: crude, condensate, and fuel tankers serving the oil and gas fields
- Agriculture: juice, wine, and liquid food tankers where the crop calls for it
When It's Required in Colorado
In Colorado (CO), required for commercial vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver: charter buses, transit coaches, and similar vehicles.
What to Study for the CO Test
For the Colorado (CO) Passenger test, study passenger safety protocols, controlled loading and unloading, emergency door operation, on-road passenger management, and distracted-driving rules.
Passenger in Colorado (CO)
- Agriculture: farm labor crew buses carrying 16 or more workers
- Ski resort and mountain freight: motorcoaches, hotel shuttles, and airport buses
- Transit agencies, charter companies, and church or community buses across Colorado
When It's Required in Colorado
In Colorado (CO), required for any driver transporting school-age students in a vehicle classified as a school bus under federal or state law.
What to Study for the CO Test
For the Colorado (CO) School Bus test, study student loading zones, stop-signal arm procedures, railroad crossing rules, mirror adjustment, emergency evacuation drills, and state-specific school bus regulations.
School Bus in Colorado (CO)
- Colorado school districts and their contractors: every route driver needs S plus P
- Activity and athletics trips, which use the same S-endorsed drivers
When It's Required in Colorado
In Colorado (CO), required to pull double or triple trailers where permitted by state law. Common in regional and long-haul freight operations.
What to Study for the CO Test
For the Colorado (CO) Doubles & Triples test, study coupling and uncoupling double and triple combinations, pull-out stability, off-tracking behavior, full combination inspections, and safe following distance.
Doubles & Triples in Colorado (CO)
- LTL carriers running twin-trailer sets on Colorado interstates, where permitted
When It's Required in Colorado
In Colorado (CO), required for any vehicle equipped with an air brake system, which covers most Class A tractor-trailers and many Class B straight trucks.
What to Study for the CO Test
For the Colorado (CO) Air Brakes test, study air brake components, dual-circuit systems, inspection procedures, warning devices, pressure gauges, and stopping distance at highway speeds.
Air Brakes in Colorado (CO)
- Oil and gas field services: nearly every oilfield truck runs air brakes
- Aerospace components: the heavy-haul tractors and straight trucks on aerospace plant routes
- Almost every Class A and Class B vehicle in Colorado; skip this test and your CDL carries an L restriction
When It's Required in Colorado
In Colorado (CO), essential for Class A drivers operating tractor-trailers, lowboys, and other multi-unit combinations over federal weight thresholds.
What to Study for the CO Test
For the Colorado (CO) Combination Vehicles test, study coupling and uncoupling procedures, air line connections, trailer handling characteristics, off-tracking, and full combination vehicle inspections.
Combination Vehicles in Colorado (CO)
- Oil and gas field services: tractor-trailer rigs hauling pipe, rig equipment, and frac sand
- Agriculture: refrigerated produce loads to distribution centers and out of state
- Ski resort and mountain freight: event and production freight moving between venues
- Aerospace components: oversize aircraft sections and aerospace components on specialized flatbed and step-deck trailers
Not sure which Colorado CDL endorsements you need?
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and operation, and the Colorado CDL Selector Tool pinpoints the endorsements you need in Colorado.