(625 ILCS 5/6-507.5)

Sec. 6-507.5. Application for Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).

(a) The application for a CLP must include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) the driver applicant's full legal name and current Illinois domiciliary address, unless the driver applicant is from a foreign country and is applying for a non-domiciled CLP in which case the driver applicant shall submit proof of Illinois residency or the driver applicant is from another state and is applying for a non-domiciled CLP in which case the driver applicant shall submit proof of domicile in the state which issued the driver applicant's Non-CDL;

(2) a physical description of the driver applicant including gender, height, weight, color of eyes, and hair color;

(3) date of birth;

(4) the driver applicant's social security number;

(5) the driver applicant's signature;

(6) the names of all states where the driver applicant has previously been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the previous 10 years under 49 C.F.R. Part 383;

(7) proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency as set forth in Table 1 of 49 C.F.R. 383.71, unless the driver applicant is from a foreign country and is applying for a non-domiciled CLP, in which case the applicant must provide an unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by USCIS or an unexpired foreign passport accompanied by an approved I-94 form documenting the applicant's most recent admittance into the United States; and

(8) any other information required by the Secretary of State.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (b-5), no CLP shall be issued to a driver applicant unless the applicant has taken and passed a general knowledge test that meets the federal standards contained in 49 C.F.R. Part 383, subparts F, G, and H for the commercial motor vehicle the applicant expects to operate.

(b-5) The Secretary of State may waive the general knowledge test specified in 49 CFR 383.71(a)(2)(ii) for a qualifying driver applicant of a commercial learner's permit. A qualifying driver applicant shall:

(1) be a current resident of this State;

(2) be a current or former member of the military services, including a member of any reserve component or National Guard unit;

(3) within one year prior to the application, have been regularly employed in a military position that requires the operation of large trucks;

(4) have received formal military training in the operation of a vehicle similar to the commercial motor vehicle the applicant expects to operate; and

(5) provide the Secretary of State with a general knowledge test waiver form signed by the applicant and his or her commanding officer certifying that the applicant qualifies for the general knowledge test waiver.

(c) No CLP shall be issued to a driver applicant unless the applicant possesses a valid Illinois driver's license or if the applicant is applying for a non-domiciled CLP under subsection (b) of Section 6-509 of this Code, in which case the driver applicant must possess a valid driver's license from his or her state of domicile.

(d) No CLP shall be issued to a person under 18 years of age.

(e) No person shall be issued a CLP unless the person certifies to the Secretary one of the following types of driving operations in which he or she will be engaged:

(1) non-excepted interstate;

(2) non-excepted intrastate;

(3) excepted interstate; or

(4) excepted intrastate.

(f) No person shall be issued a CLP unless the person certifies to the Secretary that he or she is not subject to any disqualification under 49 C.F.R. 383.51, or any license disqualification under State law, and that he or she does not have a driver's license from more than one state or jurisdiction.

(g) No CLP shall be issued to a person while the person is subject to a disqualification from driving a commercial motor vehicle, unless otherwise permitted by this Code, while the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled in any state, or any territory or province of Canada; nor may a CLP be issued to a person who has a CLP or CDL issued by any other state or foreign jurisdiction, unless the person surrenders all of these licenses. No CLP shall be issued to or renewed for a person who does not meet the requirement of 49 C.F.R. 391.41(b)(11). The requirement may be met with the aid of a hearing aid.

(h) No CLP with a Passenger, School Bus or Tank Vehicle endorsement shall be issued to a person unless the driver applicant has taken and passed the knowledge test for each endorsement.

(1) A CLP holder with a Passenger (P) endorsement is prohibited from operating a CMV carrying passengers, other than federal or State auditors and inspectors, test examiners, or other trainees, and the CDL holder accompanying the CLP holder as prescribed by subsection (a) of Section 6-507 of this Code. The P endorsement must be class specific.

(2) A CLP holder with a School Bus (S) endorsement is prohibited from operating a school bus with passengers other than federal or State auditors and inspectors, test examiners, or other trainees, and the CDL holder accompanying the CLP holder as prescribed by subsection (a) of Section 6-507 of this Code.

(3) A CLP holder with a Tank Vehicle (N) endorsement may only operate an empty tank vehicle and is prohibited from operating any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous material that has not been purged of all residue.

(4) All other federal endorsements are prohibited on a CLP.

(i) No CLP holder may operate a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous material as defined in paragraph (20) of Section 6-500 of this Code.

(j) The CLP holder must be accompanied by the holder of a valid CDL who has the proper CDL group and endorsement necessary to operate the CMV. The CDL holder must at all times be physically present in the front seat of the vehicle next to the CLP holder or, in the case of a passenger vehicle, directly behind or in the first row behind the driver and must have the CLP holder under observation and direct supervision.

(k) A CLP is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.

(l) A CLP issued prior to July 1, 2014 for a limited time period according to state requirements, shall be considered a valid commercial driver's license for purposes of behind-the-wheel training on public roads or highways.

(Source: P.A. 103-179, eff. 6-30-23.)