Where Do Endorsements Show on a Driver's License?

If you've earned a CDL endorsement — or you're working toward one — you may be wondering where that credential actually appears on your physical license. The answer is straightforward in principle, but how it looks in practice depends on your state's license format and the type of endorsement involved.

What a CDL Endorsement Is

A CDL endorsement is an authorization added to a commercial driver's license that permits the holder to operate specific types of vehicles or transport certain cargo beyond what the base CDL covers. Federal regulations, administered through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), set the categories. States then issue the actual credentials.

Common endorsement codes include:

These codes are standardized federally, which means the letter designations themselves are consistent across states — even when the physical license format differs.

Where the Codes Physically Appear

On most U.S. driver's licenses, endorsements appear in a designated field on the front of the card — typically labeled "Endorsements" or abbreviated as "Endors." This field displays the relevant letter codes side by side (for example, "HN" if a driver holds both HAZMAT and tank vehicle endorsements).

Some states print this field on the front of the license. Others place it on the back. A few older license formats include a separate section for restrictions and endorsements together, though these are distinct categories. 🪪

Restrictions — such as corrective lenses requirements or no highway driving — are typically listed separately, often in a field labeled "Restrictions" or "Rest." Endorsements and restrictions are not the same thing and are not interchangeable, even if they appear near each other on the card.

How Endorsements Get Added to the License

Earning an endorsement generally requires:

• Passing a knowledge test specific to that endorsement category
• In some cases, a skills test (the passenger and school bus endorsements, for example, typically require one)
• For the HAZMAT endorsement, a TSA security threat assessment, which includes a background check and fingerprinting — a federal requirement that states cannot waive

Once a driver passes the required tests and any background screenings, the state DMV updates their CDL record and issues a new or updated physical license reflecting the added endorsement code. Some states mail an updated card; others require an in-person visit.

What the License Actually Looks Like 🔍

Driver's license formats are not uniform across states. While AAMVA (the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators) provides guidance on card layout and data fields, individual states control the visual design. This means:

• The position of the endorsement field varies by state
• The font size and label used for endorsements differ
• Some licenses display full text (e.g., "PASSENGER/SCHOOL BUS"); others show only codes (e.g., "PS")
• Temporary paper licenses or interim documents may list endorsements differently than the permanent card

If you've recently passed an endorsement test but haven't received your updated card yet, your driving record — obtainable through your state DMV — will reflect the endorsement before the physical license does. Employers, enforcement officers, and regulators can verify endorsements through that record.

Variables That Shape What You See

Several factors affect exactly how endorsements appear on your license:

• Your state's license format — design, field placement, and labeling conventions
• When your license was issued — older cards may follow a different layout than recently redesigned ones
• Your CDL class (A, B, or C) — endorsements are tied to specific license classes and must be consistent with the class you hold
• Whether your state has updated to REAL ID-compliant CDL formats — redesigns sometimes shift where certain fields appear
• Pending endorsements — some states issue a temporary document or updated paper credential before the new card arrives

For HAZMAT specifically, the endorsement won't appear until the TSA clearance is complete, regardless of whether the knowledge test has been passed. The timeline for that clearance varies.

When the Endorsement Field Is Blank or Says "NONE"

A blank endorsement field — or one that reads "NONE" — simply means no endorsements are currently active on that license. This is normal for standard Class D (non-commercial) licenses, which don't carry CDL endorsements at all. It also applies to CDL holders who haven't yet added endorsements beyond the base license.

If you believe an endorsement should appear but doesn't, the place to start is your state DMV's driver record — not the physical card itself. The record is the authoritative source. The card reflects it, but processing and printing take time.

What exactly your endorsements look like — and where they sit on the card — comes down to your state's current license design and your own credential history. Those specifics live with your issuing state.