Federal & State Regulations | Qualification of drivers - Pennsylvania

Federal regulations

PennDOT has adopted Part 391 of the Federal Regulations with the exception of 391.11(b)(1). There are also some exceptions in the physical qualification requirements.

The PUC has adopted Part 391 with some exceptions.

Applicability

The PennDOT adoption of Part 391 applies to a vehicle or combination of vehicles used on a highway in intrastate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 17,001 pounds or more (whichever is greater), or transporting hazardous materials which are required to be placarded.

The PUC adoption of Part 391 applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating or registered gross weight in excess of 10,000 pounds, or a vehicle that is being used to transport hazardous materials of a type or quantity that requires the vehicle to be marked or placarded.

Age

Persons under the age of 18 will not be issued Class A or B licenses or school bus endorsement. Persons transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding must be 21 years old.

Driver qualification file

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

Operator’s license

The following classification is in effect:

Class	Description
Class A	Combination vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B	Single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class C	Single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds if the vehicle is transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding, is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is a school bus.
Class C (non-commercial)	Single vehicle with a GVWR of not more than 26,000 pounds or any combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B.
Class M	Motorcycle.
Drivers of certain vehicles also require endorsements in addition to the required class of license. These endorsements are:
Endorsement	Description
H	Authorizes the driver to operate a vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.
N	Authorizes driving tank vehicles.
P	Authorizes driving vehicles carrying passengers.
S	Authorizes the driver to operate a school bus.
T	Authorizes driving double and triple trailers.
X	Combination of hazardous materials and tank vehicle endorsements.
Restriction	Description
L	Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes.
Q	Requires the driver to wear corrective lenses
V	Indicates that the driver has been issued a medical variance
Y	Requires the driver to wear a hearing aid

Physical qualification

A regularly employed driver as of September 23, 1995, who cannot meet the physical qualification requirements of Part 391, will be considered to be qualified to operate in intrastate commerce if certified according to requirements prescribed by PennDOT. Under these requirements, the medical examiner and motor carrier must certify the driver.

The driver shall be considered qualified only until the existing unqualifying medical or physical condition significantly worsens or a new unqualifying medical or physical condition develops subsequent to September 23, 1995.

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['Driver qualifications']

['Drivers qualification (DQ file)']

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Qualification of drivers - Pennsylvania

Federal regulations

Applicability

Age

Driver qualification file

Operator’s license

Physical qualification