Driver License Classes, Endorsements and Restrictions

Commercial Driver License (CDL)

CLASS A: Any Tractor/Trailer combination that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 LBS.

CLASS B: Any single motor vehicle that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 LBS. or less.

CLASS C: Any motor vehicle that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of less than 26,001 LBS. when endorsements "H" or "P" would be required on the driver license OR any combination of motor vehicles where the towing vehicle is less than 26,001 LBS. GVWR and the towed vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 LBS. or less, but together they weigh 26,001 LBS. or more.

Non-Commercial Driver Licenses

CLASS D: Any truck or truck tractor that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 8,000 LBS or more but less than than 26,001 LBS. or is more than 80 inches wide.

A resident who holds a valid Florida chauffeur license may continue to operate vehicles for which a CLASS D driver license is required until the chauffeur license expires. This includes farmers and emergency vehicle operators who are exempt.

CLASS E: Motor vehicles less than 8,000 LBS. A resident who holds a valid Florida operator license may continue to operate vehicles for which a CLASS E driver license is required, until the operator license expires.

16 year olds cannot drive from 11 PM to 6 AM unless accompanied by 21 year old licensed driver or driving to and from work.

17 year olds cannot drive from 1 AM to 5 AM unless accompanied by 21 year old licensed driver or driving to and from work.

CLASS E-Learner: Motor vehicles less than 8,000 LBS.

A resident who holds a valid Florida learner license may continue to operate vehicles for which a CLASS E learner license is required, until the license expires.

Learner license has the following conditions:

May operate a vehicle only between the hours of 6 AM and 7 PM. After three months from issuance, drivers with a learner's license may operate a vehicle from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a licensed driver, 21 years or older occupying the closest seat to right of the driver.

At least 21 year old accompanying licensed driver occupying the closest seat to right of the driver.

Does not allow for the operation of a motorcycle.

Motorcycles

For those authorized to operate motorcycle, the following abbreviation will appear on the front of the driver license under the expiration date:

MOTORCYCLE ALSO or MOTORCYCLE ONLY

CDL Exemptions

The following persons are exempt from the requirements to obtain a commercial driver license: Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles that are equipped with extraordinary audible warning devices that display red or blue lights and are on call to respond to emergencies; or Military personnel driving military vehicles; or Farmers transporting farm supplies or farm machinery, or transporting agricultural products to or from the first place of storage or processing or directly to or from market, within 150 miles of their farm; or Drivers of recreational vehicles used for recreational purposes; or Drivers who operate straight trucks (single units) that are exclusively transporting their own tangible personal property which is not for sale. An employee of a publicly owned transit system who is limited to moving vehicles for maintenance or parking purposes exclusively within the restricted-access confines of a transit system's property.

Restrictions

A. Corrective Lenses P. Probation-Interlock Device
B. Outside Rearview Mirror S. Other Restrictions
C. Business Purposes T. No Passengers
D. Employment Purposes X. Medical Alert Bracelet
E. Daylight Driving Only Y. Education Purposes
F. Automatic Transmission 1. Vehicles Without Airbrakes
G. Power Steering 2. (CDL) Intrastate Only
I. Directional Signals 3. (CDL) Bus Only
J. Grip on Steering Wheel 4. CMV <26,001 LBS. GVWR
K. Hearing Aid 5. No Tractor/Trailers
L. Seat Cushion 6. No Class A Passenger Vehicle
M. Hand Control or Pedal Extension 7. No Class B Passenger Vehicle
N. Left Foot Accelerator  

Endorsements

H. Any vehicle used to transport hazardous materials in placardable amounts.
N. A tank vehicle designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material with designed capacity of 1,000 gallons or more.
P. Any vehicles, public or private, designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver
T. Combination vehicles with double/triple trailers
X. Any tank vehicle used to transport placardable amounts of hazardous materials
F. Farm CMV*
E. Emergency CMV*

* A resident operating a CMV who is exempt (farmers/emergency vehicle operators) must hold a Class D license with this endorsement to operate the type vehicle for which the exemption is granted, unless the operator holds a valid Florida Chauffeur license.

Additional Information

All CLASS A, B, C licenses issued by the 50 states will have their "CDL" or "Commercial Driver License" on the front of the license. All CMV drivers, nationwide, must possess the appropriate class of license, issued by their state of residency, on or after April 1, 1992.

Acronyms/Abbreviations

CDL Commercial Driver License
CMV Commercial Motor Vehicle
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
LBS. Pounds
MTCY ALSO Motorcycle Also
MTCY ONLY Motorcycle Only
< Less Than

*The information on this page is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. If you have questions, or to receive complete information, please contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.