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.

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.