InstituteCommercial drivers license CDLCommercial learners permit CLPEntry-Level driver trainingEntry-level driver trainingCDL endorsements and restrictionsFocus AreaEnglishAnalysisCommercial drivers license CDLCompliance and Exceptions (Level 2)USA
Description of federal restrictions
['Commercial drivers license CDL', 'Entry-Level driver training']
- CDLs must contain certain restrictions when an applicant either fails the applicable portion of the knowledge test or performs the skills test in a vehicle without the restricted equipment.
- A medical variance restriction requires either an exemption letter or a Skill Performance Evaluation certificate from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) allowing the driver to be issued a medical certificate.
Federal restrictions prevent the operation of certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) by certain commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders. The federal licensing restrictions are summarized below:
| Restriction | Description |
|---|---|
| Air brake (L) | If an applicant either fails the air brake portion of the knowledge test or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes, the state must indicate on the CLP or CDL that the person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with air brakes. |
| Full air brake (Z) | If an applicant performs the skills test in a vehicle equipped with air over hydraulic brakes, the state must indicate on the CDL, that the person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with any braking system operating fully on the air brake principle. Air over hydraulic brakes includes any braking system operating partially on the air brake and partially on the hydraulic brake principle. |
| Manual transmission (E) | If an applicant performs the skills test in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, the state must indicate on the CDL, that the person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with a manual transmission. |
| Tractor-trailer (O) | If an applicant performs the skills test in a combination vehicle for a Group A CDL with the power unit and towed unit connected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection, the state must indicate on the CDL, that the person is restricted from operating a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel that requires a Class A CDL |
| Group A passenger vehicle (M) | If an applicant applying for a passenger endorsement performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle requiring a Class B CDL, the state must indicate on the CDL, that the person is restricted from operating a passenger vehicle requiring a Class A CDL. |
| Group A and Group B passenger vehicle (N) | If an applicant applying for a passenger endorsement performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle requiring a Class C CDL, the state must indicate on the CDL, that the person is restricted from operating a passenger vehicle requiring a Class A or Class B CDL. |
| Medical variance restriction (V) | The driver has received from FMCSA either an exemption letter or Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate that allows the driver to be issued a medical certificate. |
States may have additional codes for restrictions. These codes are explained on the license.