Tennessee CDL Endorsements
Endorsements are add-ons to your Tennessee CDL that authorize specific vehicle types or cargo. Each requires a separate knowledge test, taken through Tennessee Driver Services, and the endorsement codes are federal, so a Tennessee endorsement is recognized in every state. With automotive manufacturing, healthcare and medical distribution, music and entertainment logistics shaping Tennessee 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 Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), required to transport any quantity of hazardous materials that require placarding under federal HazMat regulations.
What to Study for the TN Test
For the Tennessee (TN) 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 Tennessee (TN)
- Healthcare and medical distribution: cleaning agents, batteries, and other placarded retail freight
When It's Required in Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), 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 TN Test
For the Tennessee (TN) Tank Vehicles test, study liquid surge and baffled tanks, outage allowances, inspections, high-center-of-gravity handling, and rollover prevention strategies.
Tank Vehicles in Tennessee (TN)
- Healthcare and medical distribution: beverage, dairy, and food-grade liquid tankers
When It's Required in Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), 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 TN Test
For the Tennessee (TN) Passenger test, study passenger safety protocols, controlled loading and unloading, emergency door operation, on-road passenger management, and distracted-driving rules.
Passenger in Tennessee (TN)
- Transit agencies, charter companies, and church or community buses across Tennessee
When It's Required in Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), 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 TN Test
For the Tennessee (TN) 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 Tennessee (TN)
- Tennessee 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 Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), 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 TN Test
For the Tennessee (TN) 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 Tennessee (TN)
- Healthcare and medical distribution: twin 28-foot LTL trailer sets on the interstates
When It's Required in Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), 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 TN Test
For the Tennessee (TN) 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 Tennessee (TN)
- Automotive manufacturing: the tractors and straight trucks on every plant route
- Almost every Class A and Class B vehicle in Tennessee; skip this test and your CDL carries an L restriction
When It's Required in Tennessee
In Tennessee (TN), essential for Class A drivers operating tractor-trailers, lowboys, and other multi-unit combinations over federal weight thresholds.
What to Study for the TN Test
For the Tennessee (TN) Combination Vehicles test, study coupling and uncoupling procedures, air line connections, trailer handling characteristics, off-tracking, and full combination vehicle inspections.
Combination Vehicles in Tennessee (TN)
- Automotive manufacturing: just-in-time parts loads between assembly plants and suppliers
- Healthcare and medical distribution: regional and over-the-road tractor-trailer distribution runs
- Required for any Class A CDL issued in Tennessee
Not sure which Tennessee CDL endorsements you need?
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and operation, and the Tennessee CDL Selector Tool pinpoints the endorsements you need in Tennessee.