Your safety record may take a hit if you assign a driver to a vehicle when not properly licensed.

Approximately 54,000 drivers were placed out of service in 2023 during roadside inspections for operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) without a commercial driver’s license (CDL) when one was required. It was the fourth most cited roadside inspection driver violation for the year.

Additionally, allowing a driver to operate a CDL CMV without proper licensing and/or endorsement appears in the top violations during audits year after year.

Since enforcement is checking your driver’s license against the vehicle, shouldn’t you? Make sure your managers, dispatchers, and drivers are schooled on the following CDL basics.

Which Trucks Require a CDL?

Applicability to the CDL requirements (49 CFR Part 383) is based on the operation of a CMV as defined in 383.5. In simple terms, a CDL is required when:

• The power unit weighs 26,001 pounds or more (actual or rated weight);

• The combination weight of the power unit and trailer is 26,001 pounds or more (actual or rated), with the trailer weighing at least 10,001 pounds (actual or rated);

• The vehicle is of any size and transporting hazardous materials; or

• A passenger vehicle is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

How Does the 'Combination Weight' Work?

Assuming the vehicle is not transporting hazardous materials, to qualify as a CDL vehicle when the power unit is less than 26,001 pounds, the trailer must be at least 10,001 pounds, and the combined weight must be at least 26,001 pounds.

There are instances when a combination vehicle does not require a CDL despite being over 26,000 pounds. Here is an example: a 26,000-pound power unit + a 10,000-pound trailer = a 36,000-pound combined weight. This combination does not require a CDL because the trailer does not meet the minimum weight when the power unit is less than 26,001 pounds.

Understanding the CDL Classes

Once you determine that a CDL is required, you need to look at the criteria to know what class of license your driver needs:

• Class A. Any combination weight of 26,001 pounds or greater, provided the trailer is 10,001 pounds or greater.  

• Class B. Any vehicle with a weight of 26,001 pounds or more, or a single vehicle of 26,001 pounds or more combined with a trailer less than 10,001 pounds.

• Class C. Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that doesn’t meet the definitions of Class A or of Class B but is either:

  • Designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or

  • Used in the transportation of hazardous materials.

Endorsements and Restrictions

In addition to the proper class, drivers must have an endorsement on their CDLs to operate CMVs which are:

• Double/triple trailers,

• Passenger vehicles,

• Tank vehicles,

• Transporting hazardous materials, or

• School buses.

Dispatch must also look closely at any restrictions placed on the CDL that prevent the driver from operating the vehicle. For example, a driver may be restricted from operating in interstate commerce or driving trucks with a manual transmission or air brakes.

Key to Remember

Don’t let confusion over CDL requirements lead to citations, a poor safety record, and fines. Make sure only properly licensed and endorsed drivers are assigned to your vehicles.