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The first word in CDL is Commercial. A CDL is required to operate any of the following commercial vehicles:
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR): The GVWR is the manufacturer’s assigned weight rating for the vehicle (truck, bus, or trailer), not the vehicle’s registered weight. On trucks, the GVWR is usually found on a laminated paper identification sticker inside the driver’s door. On trailers, it may be found anywhere but is commonly found on the front of the trailer on the driver’s side. For Idaho, in the absence of a GVWR, the actual weight of the vehicle plus its heaviest load is considered to be the GVWR. Other states may use other definitions.
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING (GCWR): The GCWR is the total weight of the GVWRs of each unit of a combination vehicle (truck/tractor and trailer(s) added together.
Even if your vehicle is a commercial vehicle as defined above, you may still qualify for one of the federal and/or state CDL exemptions. There are four categories of exemptions.
Recreational Vehicle Exemption: Recreational Vehicle Exemption The applies to drivers of vehicles used exclusively to transport personal possessions or family members for nonbusiness or recreational purposes.
Military Vehicle Exemption: Vehicle Exemption The Military applies to military vehicle operators who are considered active duty military personnel and to civilians who are required to wear uniforms and are subject to the Code of Military Justice.
Emergency Vehicle Exemption: The Emergency Vehicle Exemption applies to drivers of firefighting or other emergency equipment used in response to emergencies involving the preservation of life or property.
Farm Vehicle Exemption: The Farm Vehicle Exemption applies to drivers of farm vehicles, including family members and farm hands, under certain conditions only. The farm exemption applies to drivers of farm vehicles which are:
The farm exemption is intended for small farm-to-market operations only. It does not extend beyond the boundaries of Idaho unless there is a current reciprocity agreement in affect between states. Also, it does not include farmers who are transporting other farmers’ products if they are receiving any compensation for the services.
The CDL vehicle classification included in the federal standard, together with the type of cargo to be transported, determine what type of CDL license and endorsement an applicant must apply for. There are three basic vehicle classes or groups:
Class A - Combination Vehicles: Any combination of vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Group A provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. Most Class A vehicles are trucks such as truck tractor/semi-trailer or truck and trailer combinations. However, tractor-trailer buses may be found in a few communities. Class A vehicles require considerably more skill and knowledge than driving vehicles in Classes B and C. Since these skills include those required to drive a B and C vehicle, a driver who has a Class A license also may drive vehicles in Classes B and C (with proper endorsements).
Class B - Heavy Straight Vehicles: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds falls in Group B, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. Class B includes straight trucks and large buses, including articulated buses. Safely driving these heavy vehicles requires considerably more knowledge and skill than driving the small trucks and buses found in Class C. Since they include the skills required to drive Class C vehicles, drivers who have qualified for a Class B license may also drive vehicles in Class C (with proper endorsements).
Class C - Small Vehicles: Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,001 pounds falls in Group C, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. However, vehicles of this size are included in the CDL program only if they are:
1) Designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, or
2) Used to transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F) or
3) is carrying material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73.
There are a great variety of vehicles in Class C. Some rather large Class C vehicles may require more skill and knowledge to operate than do the smaller ones. However, the licensing category is based principally on the type of cargo carried. Because of the seriousness of an accident involving hazardous material or human passengers, the safe operation of even the smaller Class C vehicles requires special knowledge and the drivers of these vehicles must have a CDL.
All commercial drivers who drive certain types of vehicles or haul certain types of cargo must add endorsements to their CDL license and/or Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) to show that they have the specialized knowledge required for these operations. There are six kinds of CDL endorsements that may be required, depending on the vehicle or type of cargo.
(T) - Double and Triple Trailers: Many drivers who are qualified to drive Class A vehicles may wish to pull double or triple trailers. Research shows that considerable additional knowledge and skill is necessary to safely pull double and triple trailers in various traffic conditions and driving environments.
Consequently, adding the endorsement to the licenses of Class A drivers is necessary if they wish to pull double or triple trailers. A special knowledge examination on the problems associated with pulling multiple trailers must be passed.
(N) - Tank Vehicle: Drivers of any commercial motor vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis must obtain this endorsement.
Applies to Class A, B and C (only applicable to Class C if the vehicle is hauling hazardous materials) vehicles.
Liquids in bulk cause driving control problems because the cargo is heavy, prone to shifting, and has a high center of gravity. These drivers must pass a special knowledge examination on the problems posed by large volume liquid cargos to add the endorsement to their CDL/CLP.
(P) - Passengers: Drivers who wish to drive a vehicle having a design capacity to carry 16 or more people, including the driver, must add a passenger endorsement to their CDL/CLP.
They must pass a special knowledge examination on safety considerations when transporting passengers and must pass skills tests in a passenger vehicle. The endorsement applies to applicants who wish to drive a bus in any class (A, B, or C).
(H) - Hazardous Materials: Any driver, regardless of the vehicle Class/Group (A, B, or C) who wishes to haul any material that has been designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR part 172; or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin 42 CFR Part 73 must add a hazardous materials endorsement to their CDL.
Hazmat drivers must pass a special written examination on how to recognize, handle, and transport hazardous materials.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US Department of Transportation require background checks on commercial drivers who are 1-5 certified to transport hazardous materials. The background checks include a review of criminal, immigration, and FBI records. If the driver is found to represent a security threat, TSA will notify the person and the state will deny issuance of an endorsement.
A written test and a TSA security threat assessment are required each time the driver renews his/her license.
(X) - Combination Hazardous Materials and Tank Vehicle: Drivers of tank vehicles who haul hazardous materials or waste in amounts requiring placards must add an X endorsement to their CDL, showing that they have passed the special knowledge examinations for both tank vehicles and hazardous materials.
(S) - School Buses: Drivers who wish to drive a school bus must add a school bus endorsement to their CDL/CLP.
They must pass a special knowledge examination on safety considerations when transporting passengers in a school bus and must pass skills tests in a school bus.
The endorsement applies to applicants who wish to drive a school bus in any class (A, B, or C).
Restrictions may be added to Commercial Driver Licenses/Permits based upon the type of vehicle and equipment that the driver uses for the Skills Test. There are ten standardized restriction codes.
NOTE: If a CLP is issued with a Passenger (P) or a School Bus (S) endorsement, it must also contain a (P) – No passengers in a CMV bus restriction. If a CLP is issued with a Tanker (N) endorsement, it must also contain a (X) – No cargo in a CMV tank vehicle.
(E) - Automatic Transmission: The (E) restriction prohibits driving of commercial vehicles with a manual transmission. If an applicant performs the CDL skills test in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, this restriction will be placed on the CDL. For purposes of the CDL skills test and the restriction, an automatic transmission includes any transmission not operating fully on the gear shift and clutch principle.
(K) - Intrastate only: If an applicant certifies their status as either Non-Excepted Intrastate or Excepted Intrastate, a restriction must be placed on the CDL, if issued, that person is restricted from operating a CMV in interstate commerce. States may impose this restriction for reasons other than those specified above.
(L) - No Air brake equipped CMV: If an applicant does not take or fails the air brake component of the knowledge test, or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes, a restriction must be placed on the CLP or CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with any type of air brakes. For the purposes of the skills test and the restriction, air brakes include any braking system operating fully or partially on the air brake principle.
(M) - No Class A passenger vehicle: If an applicant applying for a passenger endorsement performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle requiring a Group B CDL, a restriction must be placed on the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from operating a passenger vehicle requiring a Group A CDL.
(N) - No Class A and B passenger vehicle: If an applicant applying for a passenger endorsement performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle requiring a Group C CDL, a restriction must be placed on the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from operating a passenger vehicle requiring a Group A or B CDL
(O) - No tractor trailer CMV: If an applicant performs the skills test in a combination vehicle for a Group A CDL with the power unit and towed unit connected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection, a restriction will be placed on the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from operating a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel that requires a Group A CDL.
An applicant who passes a skills test using a combination vehicle that is NOT a Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer combination, but is otherwise equipped with a fifth wheel, will be issued a CDL with an “O” restriction.
Any combination OTHER THAN a TRACTOR-TRAILER with a full size fifth wheel coupling will result in an (O) restriction.
(P) - No passengers in CMV bus: A CLP holder with a P endorsement is prohibited from operating a CMV carrying passengers, other than Federal/State auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the CDL holder accompanying the CLP holder as prescribed by § CFR 383.25(a)(1) of this part.
A CLP holder with a (S) endorsement is prohibited from operating a school bus with passengers, other than Federal/State auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the CDL holder accompanying the CLP holder as prescribed by § CFR 383.25(a)(1) of this part.
(V) - Medical Variance: If the State is notified according to § 383.73(o)(3) that the driver has been issued a medical variance, the State must indicate the existence of such a medical variance on the CDLIS driver record and the CDL document, if issued, using the restriction code ‘‘V’’ to indicate there is information about a medical variance on the CDLIS driver record.
(X) - No cargo in CMV tank vehicle: A CLP holder with an N endorsement may only operate an empty tank vehicle and is prohibited from operating any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials that has not been purged of any residue.
(Z) - No full air brake equipped CMV: If an applicant performs the skills test in a vehicle equipped with air over hydraulic brakes, the State must indicate on the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with any braking system operating fully on the air brake principle.
For the purposes of the skills test and the restriction, air over hydraulic brakes includes any braking system operating partially on the air brake and partially on the hydraulic brake principle.
A Seasonal Commercial Driver's License is available to qualified seasonal drivers for certain farm-related service industries such as custom harvesters, farm retail outlets and suppliers, agrichemical businesses, and livestock feeders.
The Seasonal CDL is only valid within 150 miles of the business or farm being serviced. The Seasonal CDL is valid (with a Class D license) for 180 days in a 12 month period and can only be obtained twice in a lifetime.
The Seasonal CDL is not valid for driving Class A (combination) vehicles or passenger vehicles constructed to carry 16 or more people including the driver. The Seasonal CDL is not valid for driving vehicles carrying hazardous materials requiring placards except for diesel fuel in quantities of 1,000 gallons or less, liquid fertilizers in vehicles or implements of husbandry with total capacities of 3,000 gallons or less, or solid fertilizers that are not mixed or transported with any organic substance.
Requirements
To apply for a Seasonal CDL you must:
The holder of a Seasonal CDL is subject to all disqualifying offenses and requirements applicable to CDL holders. Each applicant's driving record will be checked prior to issuance of a Seasonal CDL. Issuance of a Seasonal CDL will be entered on the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS). The holder of a Seasonal CDL must pass the CDL General Knowledge written test. The Air Brakes test is also required if the vehicles to be driven are equipped with air brakes. Endorsement tests and skills tests are not required.