Where Are Endorsements on a Driver's License — and What Do They Mean?

If you're holding a commercial driver's license (CDL) and trying to figure out where endorsements appear — or you're preparing to add one and want to know how it shows up — the answer starts with understanding what endorsements are and how states display them.

What a Driver's License Endorsement Actually Is

An endorsement is an official authorization added to a driver's license that permits the holder to operate a specific type of vehicle or carry a specific type of cargo beyond what a standard license allows. On a CDL, endorsements are the mechanism that separates a general commercial license from the authorization to haul hazardous materials, drive a school bus, operate a tanker, or pull double and triple trailers.

Endorsements are not separate documents. They appear directly on the license itself — typically as a letter code printed in a designated field on the card.

Where Endorsements Appear on the Physical License 🪪

On most driver's licenses — and especially on CDLs — there is a labeled field on the card face that reads "Endorsements" or "End." This field displays one or more single-letter codes indicating which endorsements are active on that license.

Common CDL endorsement codes used across states include:

These codes are standardized at the federal level through FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) regulations, which means the letter codes themselves are consistent across states — even though the process to earn them varies.

If no endorsements have been granted, that field on the license will typically be blank or display "NONE."

Where to Look on Your Specific License

The exact placement of the endorsements field depends on your state's license design. Most states follow a similar layout, but card design, field labels, and positioning differ. On a typical CDL, you'll find the endorsements field near the bottom of the card — often grouped alongside a "Restrictions" field, which uses a separate set of letter codes to indicate operating limitations (such as requiring corrective lenses or prohibiting air brakes).

Some states place the endorsements field on the front of the card. Others include it on the back, particularly if the front is crowded with other required information. A few states list endorsements spelled out in abbreviated form rather than single letters, though this is less common.

If you're unsure where to look, the fields will be labeled — look for "End," "Endorsements," or a similar abbreviation.

Restrictions vs. Endorsements — Not the Same Field

One source of confusion: restrictions and endorsements are often printed near each other on a CDL, and both use letter codes. They work in opposite directions.

• Endorsements expand what you're authorized to do
• Restrictions limit how or under what conditions you can operate

For example, a restriction code "L" generally means the driver is prohibited from operating vehicles with full air brakes. An endorsement code "P" means the driver is authorized to carry passengers. Both appear as letters on the license, but in separate labeled fields.

Reading both fields together gives a complete picture of what that license allows and prohibits.

How Endorsements Get Added to a License

Earning an endorsement isn't automatic. For each endorsement type, states require passing one or more knowledge tests, and some require additional skills tests or federal clearances. The hazardous materials (H) endorsement, for instance, requires a TSA security threat assessment — a federal background check — in addition to a written knowledge test. That step alone can take weeks to complete, depending on processing times.

Once you pass the required tests and meet any other state-specific conditions, the issuing state DMV or motor vehicle agency updates your license to reflect the new endorsement. In most cases, this means issuing a new physical license card with the endorsement code printed in the endorsements field — your old card is typically voided at that point.

Some states allow you to add multiple endorsements at once if you're testing for them simultaneously. Others process them individually. Fees for endorsement testing and license reissuance vary by state and by endorsement type.

What Shapes the Process and the Display

Several factors affect how endorsements work for any individual driver:

• State of licensure — While endorsement codes are federally standardized, testing requirements, fees, and license layouts are set by each state
• CDL class — Class A, B, and C licenses each have different endorsement eligibility; not all endorsements are available at every class level
• Driving and compliance history — Certain violations or disqualifications can affect endorsement eligibility, particularly for the hazmat endorsement
• Federal vs. state requirements — Some endorsements (especially H) involve both federal clearance and state testing; others are handled entirely at the state level
• Medical certification status — CDL holders must maintain current medical certification, and lapses can affect the entire license, including endorsements

The physical license card reflects whatever endorsements were active and verified at the time of issuance. If an endorsement is later revoked or expires, the state may require a license update to reflect the change.

The Part That Depends on Your State and Situation

The letter codes are consistent. Where they appear on the card, how you earn them, what they cost, how long they take, and what happens when you add or lose one — those details belong to your state's licensing authority and your specific license class and history.