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Drivers are required to obtain an endorsement (or endorsements) on their commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) to operate certain specialized types of vehicles.
Scope
This regulation applies to drivers in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce who operate a CMV that requires an endorsement on their CDL or CLP.
Regulatory citations
- 49 CFR 383.93 — Endorsements
Key definitions
- 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 49 CFR 383, to an individual which authorizes the individual to operate a class of a commercial motor vehicle.
- 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 49 CFR 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 commercial motor vehicle when accompanied by a holder of a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) for purposes of behind-the-wheel training. When issued to a CDL holder, a CLP serves as authorization for accompanied behind-the-wheel training in a CMV for which the holder’s current CDL is not valid.
- Endorsement: An authorization to an individual’s commercial learner’s permit (CLP) or commercial driver’s license (CDL) required to permit the individual to operate certain types of commercial motor vehicles.
- Hazardous materials: Any material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under Subpart F of 49 CFR 172 or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR 73.
- School bus: A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) used to transport pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events. School bus does not include operations of a for-hire motor carrier.
- Tank vehicle: Any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis. A CMV transporting an empty storage container tank, not designed for transportation, with a rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is temporarily attached to a flatbed trailer is not considered a tank vehicle.
Summary of requirements
Drivers must pass a special written and/or driving test(s) before they can operate a more specialized vehicle. If they pass the test(s), their CDL or CLP will show that they have an endorsement to drive that type of vehicle. The endorsements are as follows:
| Endorsement | Description |
|---|---|
| H | Hazardous Materials |
| N | Tank |
| P | Passenger |
| S | School bus |
| T | Double/triple trailers |
| X | A combination of tank vehicle and hazardous materials |
States may have additional codes for endorsements. These codes are to be explained on the license.
The only endorsements allowed on a CLP are passenger, school bus, and tank vehicle.
Exceptions. At the discretion of a state, the knowledge and skills test requirements for obtaining a passenger endorsement may be waived for current or former military service members if certain criteria are met.
At the discretion of a state, the knowledge test requirements for obtaining a tank or hazardous materials 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.