Qualification of drivers - Florida

Florida has adopted Part 391 of the Federal Regulations with the exception of Sec. 391.11(b)(1) for intrastate drivers not transporting hazardous materials.

Part 391 applies to a person who operates a commercial motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight, gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combined weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more solely intrastate, or a vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.

Agricultural Exception — An intrastate driver who is transporting agricultural products, including horticultural or forestry products from farm or harvest place to the first place of processing or storage, or from farm or harvest place directly to market is exempt from the Part 391 requirements.

Utility Exception — An intrastate driver for an electric utility or telephone company operating within a 200-air-mile radius of the location where the vehicle is based is exempt from Part 391, Subparts D and E (road test and physical qualification requirements).

18 years old to transport nonhazardous materials intrastate. 21 years old to transport hazardous materials.

A driver qualification file (Sec. 391.51) is required. There is an exception to the physical qualification requirement. See Physical Qualification below for details.

Vision Exception — An intrastate driver subject to Part 391, may be exempt from the vision requirement in Sec. 391.41(b)(10) if his/her driving record shows no traffic convictions during the 2-year period immediately preceding application for a commercial driver's license. The person must be otherwise qualified under Part 391. As proof of eligibility the driver must have in his/her possession a physical exam form dated within the past 24 months.

Exception — The physical qualification requirements in Part 391, Subpart E do not apply to drivers of covered farm vehicles as defined in Section 316.003 of the Florida Statutes.