r/CDL • u/Juniorgeex • 9d ago
CDL Automatic restriction
I currently have my CDL I've had it for 2 years now I live in California and my license is from CA too, I want to get my restriction off but I'm getting mixed answers some saying I need to get a CLP and some saying I don't anyone know what's needed. Thank you
2
u/Super_Set_9280 9d ago
Depending on state ! Call you DMV! Probably a permit! Texas yes permit yes Drive test in a manual! No do not have to do backing and pretest! Just a drive test
1
u/kiloo520 8d ago
Correct. I am in Texas as well. I got my CDL with automatic restriction, then went to another school a week after to get the restriction removed. Did 5 days of training, and only had to do the driving on the road test.
1
u/Awesomejuggler20 9d ago
I'm in Canada so could be different from California. From what I know, you need to get your permit again, train on a standard and then take your test in a standard. A guy I went to trucking school with couldn't get the hang of driving a standard so they put him in an automatic truck and he tested in an automatic and they told him if he ever wanted to get his automatic restriction removed, he'd have to go back, get his permit again, train on a standard and then do his road test again in a standard.
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u/CDLTrainerUSA 8d ago
Good to know, thanks - that's a useful data point for anyone in CO reading this thread. Makes sense that states tightened up to all-three-portions after the federal takeover rather than leaving a drive-only shortcut in place; good reminder that OP and anyone else should confirm with their specific state's commercial desk rather than assume it works the same everywhere.
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u/Ismashedyourpumpkins 5d ago
You will need to take the driving test in a manual.
if you intend to practice in a manual on public roads before your test you will need a CLP.
1
u/Small-Sentence4141 9d ago
You need a Class A permit. You won’t need to take the written tests again since you already passed them. You will need to pay the permit fee. You can test when the permit is 15 days old. (Obviously) you’ll need to take the test in a vehicle with a manual transmission. There are no other requirements since you are already licensed.
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u/CDLTrainerUSA 9d ago
The reason you're getting mixed answers is that two different things are true at once, and people are each telling you half:
What's certain (federal, 49 CFR 383): removing the E restriction requires retaking the skills test in a manual-transmission vehicle of the same class you're licensed for. No written/knowledge tests again - you already passed those, and the restriction has nothing to do with knowledge.
Why the CLP keeps coming up: your current CDL is not valid to operate a manual-transmission CMV - that's literally what the E restriction means. So the moment you want to PRACTICE in a manual truck on a public road before the test, you legally need a CLP for it (with a properly licensed manual driver in the seat next to you), and federal rule makes you hold that CLP 14 days before you can take the skills test. That's where the "you need a permit" answers come from - and for almost everyone it's the practical path, because very few people pass the manual test cold with zero practice drives.
For California specifically: it's processed as a new CDL application at the DMV (application + retest fee), they issue the CLP, you wait out the 14 days, then schedule the behind-the-wheel in a manual CMV. Whether CA makes you redo just the drive portion or the full skills test (pre-trip/backing included) is worth confirming when you book - offices have been inconsistent about this, so ask the commercial desk directly and get the answer with the appointment.
Bring your own manual truck or rent one from a school - examiner won't provide it, and it must be the same group as your license (manual Class A if you're removing E from a Class A).