Federal & State Regulations | Qualification of drivers - New York

Federal regulations

New York has adopted Part 391 of the Federal Regulations.

Applicability

Part 391 applies to intrastate and interstate operations when the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating, gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight, or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more, or is of any size transporting a placardable amount of hazardous materials.

Age

An applicant for a Class A license, or for a commercial driver’s license which contains an H, X, or S endorsement, or which is valid for operation in interstate commerce must be 21 years old. Otherwise, the minimum age for a CDL is 18 years old.

Driver qualification file

A driver qualification file according to Sec. 391.51 is required for a driver hauling hazardous materials.

A driver who received his/her original driver’s license on or after January 1, 2004, and is not hauling hazardous materials, must have a driver qualification file according to Sec. 391.51.

A driver who received his/her original commercial driver’s license on or after September 9, 1999, and is not hauling hazardous materials, must have a driver qualification file according to Sec. 391.51.

Exception — A driver who received his/her original driver’s license before January 1, 2004, and is not hauling hazardous materials, must have a driver qualification file according to Sec. 391.51, except items relating to the medical exam (Sec. 391.41) and medical certificate (Sec. 391.45).

Exception — A driver who received his/her original commercial driver’s license before September 9, 1999, and is not hauling hazardous materials, must have a driver qualification file according to Sec. 391.51, except items relating to the medical exam (Sec. 391.41) and medical certificate (Sec. 391.45).

Operator’s license

The New York classified system of driver licensing based on the type of vehicle to be operated is as follows:

Class	Description
Class A	Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 26,000 lbs., provided that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or GCWR of vehicle(s) being towed is more than 10,000 lbs.
Class B	GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs. Class B may tow vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less, or may tow a vehicle of more than 10,000 lbs. providing the GCWR is not more than 26,000 lbs.
CDL C	GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less that: Transports 15 or more passengers (excluding the driver) OR Transports passengers under Article 19-A of the V & T Law OR Carries hazardous materials (Class C may tow vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less, or may tow a vehicle of more than 10,000 lbs. providing the GCWR is not more than 26,000 lbs.)
Non-CDL C	Tow truck with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less and certain types of farm vehicles.
Class D	GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less. May tow a vehicle with a GVWR of not more than 10,000 lbs. or with a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. providing the GCWR is not over 26,000 lbs. Limited use automobiles. Class B and/or C limited use motorcyles. Recreational vehicles with a GVWR or 26,000 lbs. or less.
Class DJ	GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less. May tow a vehicle of 3,000 lbs. or less. Limited use automobiles. Class B and/or C limited use motorcycles.
Class E	GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less used to transport 14 or less passengers for hire AND does not fall under 19-A. May tow a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 or less, or may tow a vehicle of more than 10,000 lbs. providing the GCWR is not more than 26,000 lbs. RV GVWR 26,000 lbs. or less.
Class M	Motorcycle
Endorsements
M	Metal Coil
N	Tank
H	Hazardous Materials
X	Tank & Hazmat
T	Double/Triple
P	Passenger
R	Recreational and rental vehicles with a GVWR more than 26,000 lbs.
S	School Bus
F	Farm A Class vehicles
G	Farm B Class vehicles
Z	Hazmat for farm vehicle only
W	Tow Truck
Restrictions
A	Accel left of brake
A2	Problem driver
A3	Med cert exempt
A4	Ignition interlock device
B	Corrective lenses
C	Mechanical aid
D	Prosthetic device
E	No manual transmission equipped CMV
E1	Automatic transmission
F	Outside mirrors
F1	Hearing aid or full view mirror
G	Daylight driving only
H	Limited to employment
I	Limited use auto
J	Other
K	CDL intrastate only (does not permit operation outside of New York state in interstate commerce)
L	No air brakes equipped CMV
M	No Class A passenger vehicles
N	No Class A or B passenger vehicles
N1	No vehicle designed for adult seating capacity of 15 or more passengers
N2	No vehicle designed for adult seating capacity of 8 or more passengers
O	No tractor trailer CMV
O1	No tractor trailer CMV/truck not over 26,000 GVWR
P	No passengers in CMV bus
P1	Power brakes
Q	Power steering
R	Built up seat/ped/shoe
T	CMV tractor only
U	Hand operated brake
V	Medical variance
V1	Foot operated parking brake
X	No cargo in CMV tank vehicle
X1	Full hand control
Y	Shoulder harness use
Z	No full air brake equipped CMV
Z1	Wheel spinner
3	Telescopic lens
5	No limited access roads

Training

An application for a license to operate motor vehicles must be made in person to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his duly authorized agent upon blanks prepared under the authority of the Commissioner. Proof of satisfactory completion of five hours of classroom driver training and highway safety instruction must be furnished.

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['Driver qualifications']

['Drivers qualification (DQ file)']

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Qualification of drivers - New York

Federal regulations

Applicability

Age

Driver qualification file

Operator’s license

Training