What the Additional 90 Day Solo Endorsement Does

The Additional 90 Day Solo Endorsement is a temporary notation on your commercial driver's license that allows you to operate certain commercial vehicles alone for 90 days, even if you would normally need a co-driver or mentor present. This endorsement exists because federal regulations require some drivers to have supervision during their first months on the job — the endorsement lets you skip that requirement for a limited time.

The endorsement appears on your CDL as a restriction code, usually noted as "H" or similar depending on your state. Once the 90 days expire, the endorsement is gone, and you revert to whatever restrictions applied before — which may mean you cannot operate that vehicle type solo anymore without additional training or certification.

This is not the same as a standard CDL endorsement like hazmat or tanker. Those endorsements stay on your license. The 90-day solo endorsement is temporary and has a hard stop date.

Key Takeaways

  • The Additional 90 Day Solo Endorsement lets you drive certain commercial vehicles alone for exactly 90 days, after which the endorsement expires and you must comply with whatever restrictions applied before.
  • Your state's DMV or transportation department issues this endorsement; you cannot request it yourself — your employer or training program must petition for it on your behalf.
  • You must have a valid CDL and meet all other requirements for the vehicle class you want to drive solo; this endorsement only removes the co-driver or mentor requirement.
  • After the 90 days end, you will need to pass additional testing, obtain a different endorsement, or return to supervised driving, depending on your state's rules and your employer's needs.
  • The endorsement is tied to your license record, so you cannot transfer it between states or use it if your license is suspended or revoked.

Who Requests This Endorsement and Why

Your employer or training company requests the Additional 90 Day Solo Endorsement from your state's DMV or transportation department — you do not request it yourself. The endorsement exists to give new drivers a window to gain real-world experience without a supervisor in the cab, which federal regulations normally require.

Trucking companies and training programs use this endorsement when they believe a driver is ready to operate independently but has not yet met the hours or experience threshold that would normally allow solo operation. For example, a driver who has completed a training program and passed their CDL test may still be required by federal rule to have a mentor present for their first 100 hours. The 90-day endorsement lets the company put that driver on the road alone during those 100 hours.

Not all states offer this endorsement, and not all employers use it. Some companies keep new drivers supervised for longer, or they use different state-specific programs. Check with your employer or training program to see whether this endorsement is available in your state and whether they plan to request it for you.

What You Need Before Your Employer Can Request It

You must already hold a valid Commercial Driver's License in the class required for the vehicle you will drive. You cannot get this endorsement if your CDL is suspended, revoked, or expired. Your license must be clean enough that your state will allow the endorsement to be added — some states will not grant it if you have certain violations or medical restrictions.

You must also meet all other requirements for the vehicle class. If you need a hazmat endorsement to haul the cargo your employer wants you to carry, you must have that endorsement before the 90-day solo endorsement is issued. The solo endorsement only removes the co-driver requirement; it does not waive any other rules or endorsements.

Your employer will need your CDL number, your state of licensure, and proof that you have completed whatever training or certification your state requires before solo operation. Some states require a signed agreement from you and your employer stating that you understand the 90-day limit and what happens when it expires.

How Your Employer Submits the Request

Your employer or training program contacts your state's DMV or commercial driver licensing agency directly. The process varies by state, but most states require the employer to submit a form or petition that includes your name, CDL number, the vehicle class you will operate, and the date the 90-day period should begin.

Some states allow this request to be filed online through a carrier portal or the DMV website. Others require a paper form mailed or delivered in person. A few states require the employer to have you appear in person at the DMV with documentation. Contact your state's DMV before your employer submits anything to confirm the exact process and required documents.

The state will review the request to confirm you hold a valid CDL and meet all other requirements. If approved, the endorsement is added to your license record. You may receive a new physical license card with the endorsement noted, or the endorsement may appear in the state's electronic record only — check with your state to see which applies.

What Happens When the 90 Days End

The endorsement expires automatically on day 91. You cannot renew it or extend it. On that date, you revert to whatever restrictions applied to your license before the endorsement was issued. If you were required to have a co-driver or mentor before, that requirement returns.

Before the 90 days end, you and your employer should plan what comes next. Your options depend on your state's rules and your employer's needs. You may be able to take additional testing to earn a permanent endorsement that allows solo operation. You may need to complete more supervised hours. Or you may return to supervised driving until you meet the state's experience threshold.

Some states allow a second 90-day endorsement if you have not yet met the requirements for permanent solo operation, but this is not automatic and varies widely. Do not assume you can get another one. Talk to your employer and your state's DMV at least 30 days before the first endorsement expires to understand your options.

State-by-State Differences

Not every state offers an Additional 90 Day Solo Endorsement. Some states use different programs or different names for the same thing. For example, some states call it a "Provisional Solo Endorsement" or a "Temporary Solo Permit." Others have no formal solo endorsement at all and rely on federal rules about supervised driving hours instead.

The documents your employer must submit, the approval timeline, and what happens after the 90 days all vary by state. Some states approve requests in a few days; others take two to three weeks. Some states issue a new physical license card; others update your record electronically only.

Before your employer submits a request, contact your state's DMV or commercial driver licensing office and ask: Does your state offer an Additional 90 Day Solo Endorsement? What form does your employer need to submit? What documents must you provide? How long does approval take? What are the rules after the 90 days expire?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume the endorsement will be renewed or extended. It expires on day 91, and there is no automatic renewal. If you need to keep driving solo after that date, you must take action before the endorsement expires — waiting until after it expires may leave you unable to drive that vehicle type legally.

Do not think this endorsement waives other requirements. If you need a hazmat endorsement, a medical certificate, or any other endorsement or restriction, this solo endorsement does not change that. You must still meet all other rules for the vehicle and cargo you are hauling.

Do not move to a different state while the endorsement is active. The endorsement is tied to your license in the state that issued it. If you transfer your CDL to another state, the endorsement may not transfer, and you may lose the ability to drive solo. Check with both your current state and your new state before you move.

Do not let your CDL expire or get suspended while the endorsement is active. If your license is no longer valid, the endorsement is no longer valid either, and you cannot drive commercially at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request the Additional 90 Day Solo Endorsement myself?

No. Only your employer or training program can request it from your state's DMV or commercial driver licensing agency. You cannot file the request yourself. If you want this endorsement, talk to your employer or training company about whether they will petition for it.

What happens if I drive solo after the 90 days expire?

You will be operating a commercial vehicle in violation of your license restrictions. This can result in a citation, fines, points on your record, and suspension of your CDL. Your insurance may also deny a claim if you are in an accident while driving illegally. Do not drive solo after the endorsement expires unless you have obtained a new endorsement or met the requirements to drive solo under your state's permanent rules.

Can I get a second 90-day endorsement after the first one expires?

It depends on your state and your situation. Some states allow a second endorsement if you have not yet met the requirements for permanent solo operation. Others do not. Your employer and your state's DMV can tell you whether a second endorsement is possible. Do not count on it — plan your next step before the first endorsement expires.

Does the Additional 90 Day Solo Endorsement work in other states?

No. The endorsement is valid only in the state that issued it. If you drive into another state, you must comply with that state's rules for your license class and restrictions. Some states may recognize the endorsement as proof that you have solo experience, but it does not automatically allow you to drive solo in their state. Check with each state's DMV before you cross state lines.

What if my employer goes out of business before the 90 days end?

The endorsement remains on your license until day 91, but you may not be able to use it if you are no longer employed by a carrier. Some states require you to notify the DMV of a change in employment status. Contact your state's DMV to find out what you need to do and whether the endorsement can be transferred to a new employer or if it must be cancelled.