CDL EXAMINER – 08122026-80082

State of Tennessee; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Tennessee seeks a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Examiner in Knoxville for the Department of Safety & Homeland Security. The role involves testing CDL applicants, interpreting license categories, collecting fees, and issuing licenses, with supervision by a Branch Manager.

Edit: The position requires a high school education, background clearance, and ongoing CDL knowledge updates; this is an onsite job with a strong emphasis on customer service and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.
• Applicants must pass background checks and fingerprint-based records check.
• Must not have disqualifying criminal offenses as defined by CFR 49.

Responsibilities

• Train associates on CDL examiner tasks and provide clarifications.
• Obtain information from customers applying for CDL/driver’s licenses and enter into LIST.
• Administer knowledge and road tests for CDL/non-commercial licenses; perform vision and written tests.
• Explain licensing requirements and procedures to the public; answer questions on office hours, location and fees.
• Record and reconcile daily revenues; maintain cash-on-hand and reports.
• Update licensing records in LIST and verify applicant data for accuracy.
• Maintain required CDL knowledge and road testing hours annually.

Skills

Active Learning

Critical Thinking

Instructing

Service Orientation

Speaking

Education

Education equivalent to high school graduation

Tools

LIST (License Information System)

INFOPAC

Digital Camera

Computer Testing System

Cashier System

Job description

Job Information State of Tennessee Job Information Opening Date/Time 08/12/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 08/18/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $3,229.00

Salary (Annually) $38,748.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Knoxville, TN

Department Safety and Homeland Security

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY & HOMELAND SECURITY, KNOX COUNTY For More Information, Visit The Link Below https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/MemoHiringProcessDuration.pdf Newly hired CDL Examiners will earn $3,401 per month. Upon successful completion of their one-year probationary period, their salary will increase to $3,775 per month. CDL Examiner base salary will include an additional 10% assignment differential if you are selected and hired to work in any of the 4 metropolitan areas which includes: Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Shelby counties. This is an onsite position. This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position. Qualifications Education and Experience: Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

• Complete a background clearance application which includes releasing all records involving any criminal history and completing a fingerprint-based and name-based criminal history records check.
• Never have been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity in a civilian or military jurisdiction of any Permanent disqualifying criminal offense listed in section 1572.103(a) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – Title 49 (disqualifying offenses).
• Never have been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity in a civilian or military jurisdiction within the 7 years preceding the date of application of any Interim disqualifying criminal offense listed in section 1572.103(b) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – Title 49 (disqualifying offenses).
• Not have been released from incarceration within the 5 years preceding the date of application for any Interim disqualifying criminal offense listed in section 1572.103(b) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – Title 49 (disqualifying offenses).
• Not be under want or warrant for a felony listed in section 1572.103(a) or section 1572.103(b) of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – Title 49 (disqualifying offenses).
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination following an offer of employment.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license or be able to obtain one prior to appointment.

Overview An employee in this class performs commercial driver’s license examination work including the administration of a variety of tests to driver’s license applicants, the determination of appropriate license category, the assurance of applicant qualifications, the collection and processing of various fees, and the issuance of licenses. This class differs from Driver’s License Examiner in that an incumbent of the latter performs driver’s license examination duties for non-commercial vehicles. This classification performs responsibilities at a working level under general supervision of a Branch Manager.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for training employees at the associate level on all tasks and responsibilities of a Commercial Driver’s License examiner. Must be able to answer questions and provide clarification related to the position.
• Obtains all necessary information for customers applying for a commercial driver’s license, driver’s license, permit, or any other relevant documents. Takes the appropriate action to enter the information into the computer system and meet the customer’s needs in accordance with time and quality requirements.
• Performs necessary knowledge and road skills tests, specifically focusing on commercial drivers licensing appointments then focusing on noncommercial drivers licensing customers. This includes the completion of forms and test taking procedures; administers vision screenings, written tests, and road skills tests to applicants applying for Tennessee driver’s licenses in accordance with state of Tennessee guidelines and Federal guidelines; photographs applicants with digital camera. Advises applicants’ of results, explains steps required for retaking appropriate tests if applicant does not meet passing standards, and records into computer database.
• Explains state laws, licensing requirements, and rules and regulations of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security regarding commercial driver’s license and driver’s license policies and procedures to the public. Answers questions regarding office hours, location, fee amounts, and application process.
• Counts and records registers’ cash-on-hand at beginning and end of work shifts, prints daily receipt report from registers, and identifies discrepancies between receipt report and cash on hand. Calculates daily office revenue by aggregating all register revenues for the office; reconciles daily office revenue by comparing daily report to INFOPAC report.
• Inspects motor vehicle functioning, including, but not limited to lights, brakes, turn signals, to determine if the vehicle is safe to operate. Determines adherence to road safety rules, regulations, and laws by observing applicants’ abilities to maneuver the vehicle and to follow pertinent traffic signs, lights, and right of ways.
• Updates operational records or licensing information and enters biographical data into the License Information System for Tennessee (LIST); compares applicants’ personal information in database with data on written application to ensure accuracy. Reviews applicant’s information with applicant to ensure all information is correct.
• Maintains at least 10 hours of commercial driver’s license knowledge and road testing every year to stay in compliance with federal and state law.

Competencies (KSA’s) Competencies

• Customer Focus
• Communicates Effectively
• Instills Trust
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Manages Conflict

Knowledge

• Clerical
• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Public Safety and Security
• Transportation

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Instructing
• Service Orientation
• Speaking

Abilities

• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Speech Recognition
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Reaction Time

Tools & Equipment

• Computerized Cashier System
• Standard Office Equipment
• Digital Camera
• Motor Vehicles
• Computer Testing System

TN Driver Standards State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver’s license
• For the past five years, the candidate’s driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver’s License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

• Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.