49 C.F.R. Subpart F—Vehicle Groups and Endorsements
Title 49 - Transportation
Source: 53 FR 27651, July 21, 1988, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Vehicle group descriptions. Each driver applicant must possess and be tested on his/her knowledge and skills, described in subpart G of this part, for the commercial motor vehicle group(s) for which he/she desires a CDL. The commercial motor vehicle groups are as follows: (1) Combination vehicle (Group A)—Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). (2) Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B)—Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) GVWR. (3) Small Vehicle (Group C)—Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of Group A nor that of Group B as contained in this section, but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is used in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and which require the motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR part 172, subpart F). (b) Representative vehicle. For purposes of taking the driving test in accordance with §383.113, a representative vehicle for a given vehicle group contained in §383.91(a), is any commercial motor vehicle which meets the definition of that vehicle group. (c) Relation between vehicle groups. Each driver applicant who desires to operate in a different commercial motor vehicle group from the one which his/her CDL authorizes shall be required to retake and pass all related tests, except the following: (1) A driver who has passed the knowledge and skills tests for a combination vehicle (Group A) may operate a heavy straight vehicle (Group B) or a small vehicle (Group C), provided that he/she possesses the requisite endorsement(s); and (2) A driver who has passed the knowledge and skills tests for a heavy straight vehicle (Group B) may operate any small vehicle (Group C), provided that he/she possesses the requisite endorsement(s). (d) Vehicle group illustration. Figure 1 illustrates typical vehicles within each of the vehicle groups defined in this section. [53 FR 27651, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 47989, Nov. 20, 1989; 61 FR 9566, Mar. 8, 1996] (a) General. In addition to taking and passing the knowledge and skills tests described in subpart G of this part, all persons who operate or expect to operate the type(s) of motor vehicles described in paragraph (b) of this section shall take and pass specialized tests to obtain each endorsement. The State shall issue CDL endorsements only to drivers who successfully complete the tests. (b) Endorsement descriptions. An operator must obtain State-issued endorsements to his/her CDL to operate commercial motor vehicles which are: (1) Double/triple trailers; (2) Passenger vehicles; (3) Tank vehicles; (4) Used to transport hazardous materials as defined in §383.5, or (5) School buses. (c) Endorsement testing requirements. The following tests are required for the endorsements contained in paragraph (b) of this section: (1) Double/Triple Trailers—a knowledge test; (2) Passenger—a knowledge and a skills test; (3) Tank vehicle—a knowledge test; (4) Hazardous Materials—a knowledge test; and (5) School bus—a knowledge and a skills test. [53 FR 27651, July 21, 1988, as amended at 67 FR 49760, July 31, 2002; 68 FR 23850, May 5, 2003] (a) If an applicant either fails the air brake component of the knowledge test, or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes, the State shall indicate on the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with air brakes. (b) For the purposes of the skills test and the restriction, air brakes shall include any braking system operating fully or partially on the air brake principle.
Title 49: Transportation
PART 383—COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE STANDARDS; REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES
Subpart F—Vehicle Groups and Endorsements
§ 383.91 Commercial motor vehicle groups.
§ 383.93 Endorsements.
§ 383.95 Air brake restrictions.
