In Hawaii, the minimum age for a CDL is 21. The minimum age to apply for a CDL is 18 with exceptions in two states – New York requires a minimum age of 21 for a Class A license but allows the issue of a Class B or Class C license beginning at age 18. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is transporting any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73. Vehicle examples that fall under Class B include box trucks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, cement trucks, and buses ( Passenger endorsement required).Ĭlass C – Allows the cardholder to operate single vehicles of 26,000 pounds (12,000 kg) or less when the operator plans transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. If towing a vehicle, the GVWR of the towed unit must be 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg) or less. This includes vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds (11,794 kg) or more. Vehicle examples that fall under Class A are tractor trailers and trailer buses ( Passenger endorsement required).Ĭlass B – Allows the cardholder to operate heavy single vehicles in commerce. This includes vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds (11,794 kg) or more provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the trailer is more than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg). The following types of CDL licenses are:Ĭlass A – Allows the cardholder to operate combination of vehicles in commerce. However, such vehicles are federally exempt from having to obtain a CDL. In some states, a CDL may be required to drive a recreational vehicle or agricultural vehicle. Police Officers and Firefighters: Meeting approved training standards and operating authorized emergency vehicles.įarmers: Operating vehicles within a 150 mile radius of their farm.In the United States, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 established minimum requirements that must be met when a state issues a CDL. In the absence of a label, the GCWR can be calculated by adding the GVWR of the power unit to the GVWR of the vehicle(s) or trailer(s) being towed.Īctive Duty Military (including National Guard): With military licenses operating military vehicles. **Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a combination vehicle.

The GVWR should not be confused with the elected gross vehicle weight (GVW) which is declared by the vehicle owner for registration purposes. The GVWR label is usually found on the driver side door post of the power unit and on the front left side of the trailer. *Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the recommended maximum total weight of the vehicle and load as designated by the vehicle manufacturer. Carrying hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding

Commercial vs regular driver&#39;s license

Commercial vs regular driver's license