Commercial driver's license

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required to operate large, heavy, or placarded hazardous material vehicles in commerce.

A commercial driver's license is required to operate a tractor-trailer for commercial use.

009-03-15|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313110732/http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/cdl/cdl.htm%7Carchivedate=2009-03-13}}</ref> It specifies the following types of license:

Class A – Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR/GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating/Gross Vehicle Weight) of 2001 or more poycshhskjsunds provided the GVWR/GVW of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Class A holders are also permitted to operate any commercial motor vehicle included in Classes B and C.

Class B – Any single vehicle with a GVWR/GVW of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR/GVW. Class B holders are also permitted to operate any commercial motor vehicle included in Class C.

Class C – Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is required to be placarded for hazardous materials.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom the PCV Licence (PCV stands for Passenger Carrying Vehicle) enables the holder to drive buses and/or minibuses, subject to what kind of Practical Driving Test the licence holder passes.

  • Category C+E Vehicles over 3500 kg with a trailer over 750 kg also known as Large Goods Vehicle normal max gross weight 44000 kg (97416 lbs): minimum age 21. 17 if in the Armed Forces & now 18 if you meet certain requirements regarding CPC
  • Category D1 allows the holder to drive a vehicle with between nine and sixteen passenger seats with a trailer up to 750 kg maximum authorised mass.
  • Category D1+E allows the holder to drive a vehicle with between nine and sixteen passenger seats with a trailer over 750 kg maximum authorised mass, provided that the maximum authorised mass of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the vehicle being driven and the combined maximum authorised mass of both the vehicle and trailer does not exceed 12 t (12000 kg).
    • For example, a vehicle with an unladen mass of 2650 kg and a MAM of 4005 kg, with a trailer MAM of 2200 kg will give a combined MAM of 6205 kg - and the Unladen Mass of the vehicle being driven (2650 kg) is greater than the MAM of the trailer (2200 kg) so is acceptable. However, a vehicle with an unladen mass of 2650 kg and a MAM of 4005 kg, with a trailer MAM of 2700 kg will give a combined MAM of 6705 kg - but because the MAM of the trailer (2700 kg) exceeds the Unladen Weight of the vehicle being driven (2650 kg), you would need a Category D+E licence to drive that vehicle.
  • Category D allows the holder to drive a vehicle with more than eight passenger seats with a trailer up to 750 kg maximum authorised mass.
  • Category D+E allows the holder to drive a vehicle with more than eight passenger seats with a trailer over 750 kg maximum authorised mass.

Australia

All places in Australia have a mostly similar driver licence system, although some things can change in each state or territory (e.g. what classes of license are available).

Australian license classes
  • C Car: A 'Class C' licence covers vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM)

GVM is the maximum recommended weight a vehicle can be when loaded. A 'Class C' Licence allows the holder to drive cars, utilities, vans, some light trucks, car-based motor tricycles, tractors and implements such as graders. You can also drive vehicles that seat up to 12 adults, including the driver.

  • R Rider: Motorcycle riders require a 'Class R' licence.
  • LR Light Rigid: 'Class LR' covers a rigid vehicle with a GVM of more than 4.5 tonnes but not more than 8 tonnes. Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM. This class also includes vehicles with a GVM up to 8 tonnes which carry more than 12 adults including the driver and vehicles in class 'C'.
  • MR Medium Rigid: 'Class MR' covers a rigid vehicle with 2 axles and a GVM of more than 8 tonnes. Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM. This class also includes vehicles in class 'LR'.
  • HR Heavy Rigid: 'Class HR' covers a rigid vehicle with 3 or more axles and a GVM of more than 8 tonnes. Any towed trailer must not weigh more than 9 tonnes GVM. This class also includes articulated buses and vehicles in class 'MR'.
  • HC Heavy Combination: This licence covers heavy combination vehicles like a prime mover towing a semi-trailer, or rigid vehicles towing a trailer with a GVM of more than 9 tonnes. This class also includes vehicles in class 'HR'.
  • MC Multi-Combination: This licence covers multi-combination vehicles like Road Trains and B-Double Vehicles. It also includes vehicles in class 'HC'.

Medical standards

The medical standards for drivers of commercial vehicles are set by the National Transport Commission and Austroads, and are set out in 'Assessing Fitness to Drive' (available from the Austroads website).

For those applying for heavy vehicle licence classes MR (Medium Rigid), HR (Heavy Rigid), HC (Heavy Combination) or MC (Multi Combination), it is strongly recommended that the applicant ensures they meet the medical requirements before commencing any training or tests for a heavy vehicle licence.

Paying passengers

The driver of a vehicle carrying paying passengers (such as a school bus or tourist coach) requires an appropriate driver licence and a 'Public Passenger Vehicle Driver Authority' which is issued by the Ministry of Transport.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, driver licensing is controlled by the NZ Transport Agency. There are six classes of motor-vehicle licence[22] and nine licence endorsements. Class 1 governs vehicles with a GLW (gross laden weight) or GCW (gross combined weight) of less than 6,000 kg, and Class 6 governs motorcycles. Classes 2–5 govern heavy vehicles.

A Class 2 licence allows the holder to drive:

  • any rigid vehicle (including any tractor) with a GLW of more than 6,000 kg but less than 18,001 kg
  • any combination vehicle with a GCW of 12,000 kg or less
  • any combination vehicle consisting of a rigid vehicle with a GLW of 18,000 kg or less towing a light trailer (GLW of 3500 kg or less)
  • any rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 18,000 kg that has no more than two axles
  • any vehicle covered in Class 1.

Class 3 allows the holder to drive:

  • any combination vehicle with a GCW of more than 12,000 kg but less than 25,001 kg
  • any vehicle covered in classes 1 and 2.

Class 4 allows the holder to drive:

  • any rigid vehicle (including any tractor) with a GLW of more than 18,000 kg
  • any combination vehicle consisting of a rigid vehicle with a GLW of more than 18,000 kg towing a light trailer (GLW of 3500 kg or less)
  • vehicles covered in classes 1 and 2, but not Class 3.

Class 5 allows the holder to drive:

  • any combination vehicle with a GCW of more than 25,000 kg
  • vehicles covered by classes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Before getting a Class 2 licence, a driver must be at least 18 years of age and have held an unrestricted Class 1 licence for at least six months. Gaining a Class 5 is not dependent on holding a Class 3. Once a driver has a Class 2 they can progress straight through to Class 4 and Class 5. Each progression (2 to 3, 2 to 4, or 4 to 5) requires having held an unrestricted licence of the preceding class for at least six months. For drivers aged 25 or over the minimum period for holding the unrestricted time is reduced to three months, or waived entirely on completion of an approved course of instruction.

Additional endorsements on an NZ driver's licence govern provision of special commercial services. The endorsements are:

  • D - Dangerous Goods: transporting hazardous substances. Must be renewed every five years
  • F - Forklift operator
  • I - Driving Instructor: An "I" endorsement is awarded for a specific Class of licence, e.g.: 5-I
  • O - Testing Officer: Driving assessors who test a person prior to being granted a particular class of licence
  • P - Passenger: Transport of fare-paying passengers (bus and taxi drivers, limo-for-hire drivers, and dail-a-driver services)
  • R - Roller: Special vehicle equipped with rollers
  • T - Tracks: Special vehicle equipped with tracks
  • V - Vehicle recovery: Operating a tow truck
  • W - Wheels: Special vehicle equipped with wheels, other than fire appliances, buses, tractors, vehicle-recovery vehicles, or trade vehicles.

The F, R, T and W endorsements are for operating special types of vehicle on the road. Where the holder also has a heavy vehicle (Class 2 or Class 4) licence, they are permitted to drive heavy special vehicles. Otherwise the limits for Class 1 (6,000 kg) apply.

Being granted an I, O, P and/or V endorsement requires that the applicant passes a "fit and proper person" check, to screen for people with criminal convictions or serious driving infringements. These endorsements are issued for one or five years, at the option of the applicant at the time of purchase.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, Transport Department is responsible for issuing driver licences. Private light bus (class 4), public light bus (class 5), taxi (class 6), private bus (class 9), public bus (class 10), franchised public bus (class 17), medium goods vehicle (class 18), heavy goods vehicle (class 19), articulated vehicle (class 20) and special purpose vehicle (class 21) are vehicles requiring commercial driving licences.,[23] whereas private car (class 1), light goods vehicle (class 2), motorcycle (class 3), and motor tricycle (class 22) are considered non-commercial vehicles.

To apply for a commercial driving licence, a driver must: - be of age 21 or above; - have obtained a private car or light goods vehicle full driving licence for at least 3 years (2 years if converted from probationary licence) immediately before the application; - be a Hong Kong permanent resident or not subject to any condition of stay other than a limit of stay; - have not been convicted of some serious driving offences specified in law within 5 years before the application; and take a driving test of the class of vehicle the driver is going to apply.

In Hong Kong, driving licences are issued separately for each class of vehicle and printed on the licence, although passing a driving test of a heavier vehicle automatically gives the driver the right to apply for corresponding lighter vehicles:

  • 6 (Taxi) — Only a written test has to be taken, including traffic regulations, taxi regulations and places.
  • 4 (Private light bus), 5 (Public light bus) — Passenger vehicles with 8 to 16 seats. The driving tests for both are the same, but only class 4 (private light bus) licence can be applied after passing the test. In order to apply for a class 5 (public light bus) licence, a driver has to take an additional Pre-service Training Course for Public Light Bus Drivers before submitting the application
  • 9 (Private bus), 10 (Public bus) — Passenger vehicles with 17 seats or more. The driving tests for both are the same, and class 4 (private light bus) licence is issued automatically at the same time when applying class 9, 10 licences after passing the test. In addition, class 5 (public light bus) licence can be applied after taking an additional Pre-service Training Course for Public Light Bus Drivers.
  • 17 (Franchised public bus) — This is obtained through training within a franchised bus company, for example, Kowloon Motor Bus. The driving test requirement is the same with public bus (class 10), and is only retained with historical interest. A driver passing a test on a franchised bus will be issued classes 4, 9, 10 in addition to 17, and 5 after taking an additional Pre-service Training Course for Public Light Bus Drivers, enabling him/her to drive any public buses, whereas a driver holding class 10 (public bus) licence can also drive franchised public bus. Class 17 exists because the government had to protect the interests of franchised bus companies, in the past, drivers trained by a franchised bus company could only get a class 17 licence, enabling him/her to drive franchised public bus only but not other public buses. This has been relaxed such that a driver passing test on a franchised public bus can get classes 9, 10 in addition to class 17, and original drivers holding class 17 without classes 9, 10 can also apply them for free without taking tests.
  • 18 (Medium goods vehicles) — Goods vehicles with maximum gross weight above 5.5 tonnes and not exceeding 24 tonnes. Class 2 (light goods vehicles) licence is issued in addition to class 18 after passing the test.
  • 19 (Heavy goods vehicles) — Goods vehicles with maximum gross weight above 24 tonnes. Class 2 (light goods vehicles) and class 18 (medium goods vehicles) licences are issued in addition to class 19 after passing the test.
  • 20 (Articulated vehicle) — The driver has to obtain full licence of class 18 (medium goods vehicles) before applying. Class 19 (heavy goods vehicles) licence is issued in addition to class 20 after passing the test.
  • 21 (Special purpose vehicle) — Includes street washing vehicles, arrow vehicles, road maintenance vehicles, ice cream vehicles, etc. A driver has to apply with endorsement from his/her company, and holding a full licence of class 2 (light goods vehicle), 18 (medium goods vehicles) or 19 (heavy goods vehicles). Class 21 licence has to be used in conjunction with a class 2, 18 or 19 licence, allowing the driver to drive special purpose vehicles with maximum gross vehicle weight up to the goods vehicle licence the driver holds.

See also

References
  1. https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/nys-driver-license-classes
  2. http://www.honolulu.gov/faqs/120-site-csd-cat/faq-commercial-driver-s-license-station-cat/19845-what-are-the-requirements-or-documents-needed-to-obtain-a-cdl-permit.html
  3. https://www.ifdaonline.org/issues-advocacy/drivesafeact
  4. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1374/text
  5. "Part 391: Qualifications of drivers and longer combination vehicle (LCV) driver instructors (subpart 391.65)". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA). Archived from the original on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  6. "Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Archived from the original on 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  7. "CDL Class Definitions". Itd.idaho.gov. Archived from the original on 2006-08-11. Retrieved 2006-08-20.
  8. "Drivers". Fmcsa.dot.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  9. "New Jersey Commercial Driver License Manual". State.nj.us. March 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  10. "New York State Commercial Driver's Manual". Dmv.cca.gov. Archived from the original on 2010-10-09. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  11. "State of California Commercial Driver's Manual" (PDF). Dmv.cca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2012-06-21.
  12. "Actions Resulting in Loss of License - Alcohol Impairment Charts - Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs / is illegal" (PDF). Dmv.ca.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  13. "Directory of State CDL Manuals". Exam-test.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-17. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  14. "California Commercial Driver Handbook". Dmv.cca.gov. Archived from the original on 2006-10-25. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
  15. "Appendix C to Part 658". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Archived from the original on 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  16. "US CDL Requirements by State". Findatruckingjob.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-15. Retrieved 2010-08-13.
  17. Vehicles, Department of Motor. "DMV: CDL - Certified Medical Examiners". www.ct.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02.
  18. "Part 383: Commercial driver's license standards; requirements and penalties". Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association. Archived from the original on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  19. "Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics". Bls.gov. 2015-12-17. Archived from the original on 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  20. "Swift Transportation - Veterans". Swifttrans.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  21. "Scholarship | United Truck Driving School". Unitedtruckschool.net. Archived from the original on 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  22. "Classes of driver licence in New Zealand". drivingtests.co.nz. Archived from the original on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  23. "Transport Department - Procedures for Obtaining a Full Driving Licence with Driving Test". Td.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
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