One of the primary qualifications to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce is that the driver has a current and valid CMV operator’s license issued by the driver’s state of residence.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets standards for some of these licenses, specifically those for heavier single-unit or combination vehicles, buses transporting 16 or more passengers (including the driver), and vehicles transporting hazardous materials. These vehicles pose a higher safety risk and require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or, for drivers first learning to drive these larger vehicles, a commercial learner’s permit (CLP).

• The CDL and CLP requirements apply to drivers of CMVs.
• CMVs are defined as motor vehicles used in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce to transport property or passengers if the vehicle meets certain requirements for combination or single-unit vehicles, buses, or vehicles used in the transportation of hazardous materials.

The standards for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) apply to commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) as defined in 383.5. This includes CMVs used in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle meets one or more of these standards:

• Combination vehicle: having a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or gross combination weight (GCW) (whichever is greater) of 26,001 or more pounds, AND having one or more towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) (whichever is greater) of more than 10,000 pounds;
• Single-unit vehicle: having a GVW or GVWR (whichever is greater) of 26,001 pounds or more;
• Bus: designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
• Hazmat vehicle: used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require a placard.

Anyone operating a CMV as defined above must carry a valid state-issued CDL or CLP.

• A CDL authorizes an individual to operate a class of CMV.
• A CLP permit authorizes an individual to operate a class of CMV when accompanied by a holder of a valid CDL for purposes of behind-the-wheel training.

Commercial driver’s license (CDL): A license issued to an individual by a state or other jurisdiction of domicile, in accordance with the standards contained in Part 383, to an individual which authorizes the individual to operate a class of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV).

Commercial learner’s permit (CLP): A permit issued to an individual by a state or other jurisdiction of domicile, in accordance with the standards in Part 383, which, when carried with a valid driver’s license issued by the same state or jurisdiction, authorizes the individual to operate a class of a CMV when accompanied by a holder of a valid CDL for purposes of behind-the-wheel (BTW) training. When issued to a CDL holder, a CLP serves as authorization for accompanied BTW training in a CMV for which the holder’s current CDL is not valid.

• States must grant an exemption from the CDL requirement to certain military drivers operating commercial motor vehicles for a military purpose and drivers of “covered farm vehicles.”
• States may grant an exemption from the requirement, under certain circumstances to farmers, firefighters and emergency responders, and drivers of local snow or ice removal vehicles.
• States may grant waivers from the knowledge and skills portion of the test for farm-related service industries, waive the hazardous materials endorsement requirement for drivers transporting less than 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel, and issue restricted to Alaska drivers to drive on roads not connected to any state road.

A limited set of drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are exempt from needing a commercial driver’s license (CDL), but the list is smaller than the list of drivers who are exempt from other Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). For example, school bus drivers or drivers working for a government agency are NOT exempt from needing CDLs, even though they may be exempt from most other FMCSRs. In some cases, states have the option to exempt certain drivers from needing a CDL or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) if they so choose. The following table summarizes these exemptions (refer to 383.3 for details):

• CDLs are classified as either Class A, B, or C.
• Class A (combination vehicles) and Class B (single-unit vehicles) are classified by weight or weight rating.
• Class C vehicles (single or combination) are vehicles that do not meet the definition of a Class A or Class B vehicle and are designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or are used in the transport of hazardous materials.

Commercial driver’s license (CDL) classes are determined by the manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR), or the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW). The CDL classes, defined in 383.91(a), are as follows:

A driver holding a Class A CDL can also operate both Class B CDL and Class C CDL vehicles (with appropriate endorsements). A driver holding a Class B CDL can also operate a Class C vehicle (with appropriate endorsements). (383.91(c)).

Did you know?

• The driver of a bobtail tractor can hold a Class B CDL if the vehicle is not pulling a trailer over 10,000 pounds.
• Whether a vehicle has air brakes does not affect whether a CDL is required.
• A combination vehicle may be rated at more than 26,000 pounds but not require a CDL. For example, a tractor rated at 25,000 pounds (GVWR) pulling a trailer rated at 9,000 pounds, with no hazardous materials, does not satisfy the federal requirement for needing a CDL.

• On February 7, 2022, new federal ELDT rules take effect.
• The rules require a driver to complete ELDT with an entity listed on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before applying for, or obtaining an upgrade to, a Class A or B CDL or applying for a passenger, school bus, or hazardous materials endorsement from a state driver licensing agency.

Beginning February 7, 2022, before a driver may apply for or upgrade to a Class A or B commercial driver’s license (CDL) or seek an endorsement for hazardous materials, passengers, or school buses, the driver must complete entry-level driver training (ELDT). The training must be provided by an entity listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Training Provider Registry (TPR) website and must include both classroom and behind-the-wheel components (classroom only for the hazardous materials endorsement). Once training is complete, the driver’s training certificate is submitted to the state driver licensing agency which may then administer the skills or knowledge test for the license or endorsement.

Exemptions to ELDT

• Drivers issued a Class A or Class B CDL or a passenger, school bus, or hazardous materials endorsement before February 7, 2022, are exempt from ELDT as it relates to that CDL or endorsement.
• Drivers who obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before February 7, 2022, are exempt from ELDT if they obtain a CDL before the CLP (or renewed CLP) expires.

ELDT does NOT apply to:

• Drivers who are exempt from needing a CDL or who are eligible for a restricted CDL under 383.3.
• Veterans with military driving experience who qualify for the skills- and knowledge-test exemptions described in 383.77.
• Drivers who need to pass a modified skills test to remove an airbrake or manual-transmission restriction from their CDL.

Complete details for ELDT rules effective on or after February 7, 2022, are found in Part 380, Subparts F and G (starting at 380.600).

• Drivers of certain specialized CMVs must obtain an endorsement by passing special written and/or driving tests.
• Endorsements are required for hazardous material vehicles, tank vehicles, passenger vehicles, school buses, double/triple trailers, and combination tank and hazardous materials vehicles.
• On or after February 7, 2022, drivers must complete ELDT before seeking a hazardous material, school bus, or passenger endorsement.

Before operating a more specialized vehicle, a driver must pass a special written and/or driving test(s). If the driver passes the test(s), the driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP)* will show an endorsement to drive that type of vehicle. The endorsements are as follows:

States may have additional codes for endorsements. These codes must be explained on the license.

*The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are passenger, school bus, and tank vehicle.

Obtaining an endorsement

To obtain an endorsement, drivers will need to pass a knowledge test. The school bus (S) and passenger (P) endorsements also require a skills test. Information about the testing standards can be found in Part 383 Subpart G, or obtained from the state licensing agency.

On or after February 7, 2022, drivers must complete entry-level driver training (ELDT), provided by an entity listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Training Provider Registry (TPR) website before seeking a hazardous material (H), school bus (S), or passenger (P) endorsement. (Part 380 Subparts F and G).

Hazardous materials endorsement

Drivers operating any size of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) hauling hazardous materials (hazmat) in quantities requiring placarding must obtain a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement (HME). This is true regardless of the state of operation and whether a carrier operates in intrastate or interstate commerce.

Hazmat is defined in 383.5 as “any material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under Subpart F of Part 172 or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in Part 73.” Under Part 383, states can only issue an HME for a maximum of five years. It could be for a lesser time if the state so desires. Drivers should contact state licensing agencies for specific details.

Waiver of endorsements for military

At the discretion of a state, the knowledge and skills test requirements for obtaining a passenger(P), tank (T), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement may be waived for current or former military service members if certain criteria are met. This exception does not waive the security screening requirements that must be met to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement.

• 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:

States may have additional codes for restrictions. These codes are explained on the license.

• A CLP holder must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid driver’s license from the state issuing the permit, pass a general knowledge test for the CMV to be operated, and during BTW training be always accompanied by the holder of a CDL for the CMV to be operated.
• The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are for passenger, school bus, and tank vehicles.

A commercial learner’s permit (CLP) is a temporary, state-issued permit that allows the holder to operate — for training purposes — a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that normally requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) but for which the CLP holder is not yet fully licensed. CLPs are valid for up to one year.

Drivers must hold a CLP for at least 14 days before obtaining a CDL or any CDL upgrade that requires a skills test.

CLP holders are not authorized to operate vehicles used in the transportation of hazardous materials, although they can train on tank vehicles that have been purged of all residue if they have the tank vehicle endorsement.

BTW CLP training conditions

For purposes of behind-the wheel (BTW) training on public roads or highways, a CLP is considered to be a valid CDL if the CLP holder:

• Is accompanied at all times by the holder of a CDL that is valid for the CMV being operated (that is, the CDL holder must be physically present at all times in the front seat of the vehicle next to the CLP holder or, in the case of a passenger vehicle, directly behind or in the first row behind the driver and must have the CLP holder under observation and direct supervision);
• Holds a valid driver’s license issued by the same jurisdiction that issued the CLP;
• Passed a general knowledge test for the CMV that is operated or expected to to be operated; and
• Is at least 18 years old.

CLP endorsements

The following endorsements are allowed on a CLP (all other endorsements are prohibited):

• Driver disqualification includes the suspension, revocation, or cancellation of a CDL or CLP by an issuing state, any withdrawal of CMV privileges because of violation of vehicle traffic control laws, or a determination by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that the driver is not qualified to operate a CMV.

A person required to have a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) or a commercial driver’s license (CDL), who is disqualified, must not drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and an employer must not knowingly allow, require, permit, or authorize a driver who is disqualified to drive a CMV.

The CDL disqualification provisions are located in 383.51.

• A holder of a CDL or CLP is disqualified from driving a CMV if convicted of certain major offenses or a combination of two or more serious traffic offenses incurred while driving a CMV or any type of vehicle.
• The disqualification period is from one year for a first conviction of a major offense to life for using a vehicle in the commission of a felony involving controlled substances or using a CMV to engage in certain types of human trafficking.
• The disqualification period is from 60 days for two serious traffic violations in separate incidents during any 3-year period to 120 days for three serious traffic violations in separate incidents during any 3-year period.

Major offenses incurred while driving any type of vehicle

The holder of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) if convicted of any of the following major offenses while driving any type of vehicle:

• Being under the influence of alcohol as prescribed by state law;
• Being under the influence of a controlled substance;
• Refusing to take an alcohol test as requested by a state or jurisdiction under its implied consent laws or regulations;
• Leaving the scene of an accident;
• Using a vehicle to commit a felony; or
• Using a vehicle in the commission of a felony involving the manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing of a controlled substance.

A CDL or CLP holder is disqualified if convicted of any of the following major offenses while operating a CMV:

• Having an alcohol concentration is 0.04 percent or more.
• Driving with a revoked, suspended, or canceled CDL, or after being disqualified.
• Causing a fatality through the negligent operation of a CMV.
• Committing a felony by engaging in certain types of human trafficking.

Disqualification period for major offenses

The disqualification period is as follows:

Reinstatement rules: Major offenses

A driver who has been disqualified for life may be eligible for reinstatement after meeting certain criteria, including serving a minimum disqualification period of 10 years. A reinstated driver convicted of another disqualifying offense will be permanently disqualified for life and ineligible to again apply for a reduction of the lifetime disqualification.

If a driver is convicted of using a vehicle in the commission of a felony involving the manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing of a controlled substance or using a CMV in the commission of a felony by engaging in certain types of human trafficking, the driver is disqualified for life and is not eligible for reinstatement.

Serious traffic violations incurred while driving any type of vehicle

The holder of a CDL or CLP is disqualified from driving a CMV if convicted of any combination of two or more of the following serious traffic violations while operating any type of vehicle:

• Excessive speeding, 15 mph or more above the posted speed limit;
• Reckless driving;
• Making improper or erratic traffic lane changes;
• Following the vehicle ahead too closely; or
• Violating a state or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control (other than a parking violation) arising in connection with a fatal accident.

Serious traffic violations incurred while driving a CMV

A driver is disqualified from driving a CMV if convicted of any combination of two or more of the following serious traffic violations while operating a CMV:

• Driving a CMV without obtaining a CDL or CLP,
• Driving a CMV without a CDL or CLP in the driver’s possession,
• Driving a CMV without the proper class of CDL or CLP and/or endorsements for the specific vehicle group being operated or for the passengers or type of cargo being transported,
• Violating a state or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control prohibiting texting while driving a CMV, or
• Violating a state or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control restricting or prohibiting the use of a hand-held mobile telephone while driving a CMV.

Disqualification period for serious offenses

The disqualification period is as follows:

• The holder of a CDL or a CLP that receives an out-of-service order from a law enforcement officer and is convicted of violating that order faces a fine and disqualification period.
• The disqualification period can range from 180 days to one year for a first violation of an out-of-service order to three to five years for three or more violations during a 10-year period.
• The disqualification period for violating an out-of-service order by the driver of a passenger or hazardous materials carrying vehicle can range from 180 days to two years for a first violation to three to five years for additional violations.

The holder of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) who is placed out of service by a law enforcement officer for a certain period or until a problem has been corrected, may not violate the officer’s order. A driver who violates an out-of-service order and is convicted of this violation, faces a fine and disqualification period.

Out-of-service disqualification period

The disqualification period is as follows:

Out-of-service disqualification period: Bus and hazmat vehicle drivers

The penalties are more severe for bus drivers and drivers transporting hazardous materials. The disqualification period is as follows:

• The holder of a CDL or a CLP is disqualified from driving a CMV if convicted of violating a federal, state, or local law or regulation relating to one of six specific railroad-highway grade crossing offenses.
• The disqualification period for a conviction for violating railroad-highway grade crossing offenses is at least 60 days for the first violation, at least 120 days for a second violation within a 3- year period, and at least one year for a third or subsequent violation during a 3-year period.

The holder of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) if convicted of operating a CMV in violation of a federal, state, or local law or regulation pertaining to one of the following six offenses at a railroad-highway grade crossing:

• Failing to slow down (if the driver is not required to stop at all times) and checking that the tracks are clear of an approaching train;
• Failing to stop (if the driver is not required to stop at all times) before reaching the crossing if the tracks are not clear;
• Failing to stop (if the driver is required to stop at all times) before driving onto the crossing;
• Failing to have sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping;
• Failing to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement officer at the crossing; or
• Failing to negotiate a crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance.

Disqualification period

The disqualification period is as follows:

• The 50 states and the District of Columbia use the CDLIS and the NDR to check the driving record of CDL applicants and to make sure applicants do not already have a CDL.
• When a state motor vehicle agency asks the CDLIS for information about an applicant for a CDL, CDLIS compares the data from the SOI against all records in CDLIS and, if one or more matches are found, “points” the SOI to the current “state of record” so that it may obtain detailed information about the applicant’s commercial driving history.

As the result of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act (CMVSA) of 1986, the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) and the National Driver Register (NDR) were created to support the issuance of commercial driver licenses (CDLs) by the jurisdictions. The combined use of the CDLIS and NDR is designed to ensure that each commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver has only one driver’s license and one driving record. This goal is achieved through the cooperative exchange of information about CMV drivers, traffic convictions, and disqualifications. A state must use both the CDLIS and NDR to check a driver’s record, and the CDLIS to make certain that the applicant does not already have a CDL.

CDLIS has operated in all 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and the District of Columbia) since April 1, 1992. The number of drivers in the system is growing at an average rate of more than 40,000 new records per month.

The CDLIS Central Site is managed by Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and consists of this Central Site and nodes at the Motor Vehicle Agencies (MVAs) of the 51 jurisdictions. The Central Site houses identification data about each commercial driver registered in the jurisdictions, such as:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number
• State driver license number
• AKA information
• Current “State of Record” (SOR)

This information constitutes a driver’s unique CDLIS Master Pointer Record (MPR). Each MVA houses detailed information about each driver for which it is the SOR. This detailed information, called the driver history, includes:

• Identification information;
• License information;
• A history of convictions, withdrawals, and disqualifications;
• *Medical certification status information, including information from the driver’s medical exam certificate; and
• *Driver self-certification for the type of driving operation(s) engaged in.

*Beginning January 30, 2012.

When a jurisdiction MVA queries CDLIS to obtain information about an applicant prior to issuing a CDL, the CDLIS Central Site compares data provided by the State of Inquiry (SOI) against all MPRs in CDLIS. If one or more matches are returned, then the CDLIS Central Site “points” the SOI to the SOR. The SOR can then provide the detailed information about the driver’s commercial driving history.

Employers, prospective employers, and drivers may request information from CDLIS by contacting the appropriate licensing agency.

The Canadian jurisdictions each have classified driver’s licensing systems, which require drivers to hold a valid license appropriate for the type of vehicle being driven.

Canada does not have designated “commercial” classes of licenses, although drivers operating commercial vehicles are typically licensed in Classes 1 – 4 (or Class A, B, C, D, E, or F in Ontario). Medical examinations are usually required for drivers in these classes, but requirements can vary among jurisdictions.

As long as a driver has a valid license appropriate for the vehicle being operated, the driver can operate the vehicle in a commercial or non-commercial capacity.