Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

Section 4506 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC)

Who Needs a CDL? – Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.01 (D)

You need a CDL if you operate any of the following vehicles:

1. Any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds;

2. Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds;

3. Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not a class A or class B vehicle, but that either is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers including the driver;

4. Any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver;

5. Is transporting hazardous materials for which placarding is required under subpart F of 49 C.F.R. part 172;

6. Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is designed to be operated and to travel on a public street or highway and is considered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be a commercial motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a motorized crane, a vehicle whose function is to pump cement, a rig for drilling wells, and a portable crane.

Classes of CDL licenses – Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.12 (B)

The classes of CDL and the commercial motor vehicles that they authorize the operation of are as follows:

1. Class A – any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.

2. Class B – any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds.

3. Class C – any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that is not a Class A or Class B vehicle, but that is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting hazardous materials in an amount requiring placarding, or any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver.

The higher class CDL allows you to drive vehicles in any of the lower classes provided you have the correct endorsements. Occasional drivers are also required to apply for a CDL and all appropriate endorsements. For example: Mechanics or truck sales people who test drive on a public roadway.

In addition to a CDL, drivers may need special endorsements if they:

• drive vehicles carrying passengers, (buses);

• pull double or triple trailers (see following section on exemptions);

• drive tank vehicles (see following section on exemptions); or

• haul placarded hazardous materials (see following section on exemptions).

The following endorsements and restrictions apply to commercial drivers' licenses:

CDL Endorsements & Restrictions

Link to Hazardous Materials Information

(1) H - authorizes the driver to drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials in an amount requiring placarding; 

(2) K - restricts the driver to only intrastate operation;

(3) L - restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes; 

(4) T - authorizes the driver to drive a vehicle configured with double or triple trailers that create more than one articulation point for the combination; 

(5) P - authorizes the driver to drive vehicles designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver; 

(6) P1 - authorizes the driver to drive class A vehicles designed for fewer than sixteen passengers, including the driver, and all lesser classes of vehicles without restriction as to the designed passenger capacity of the vehicle; 

(7) P2 - authorizes the driver to drive class A or B vehicles designed for fewer than sixteen passengers, including the driver, and all lesser classes of vehicles without restriction as to the designed passenger capacity of the vehicle; 

(8) P4 - Restricts the driver to driving class C school buses designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver; 

(9) N - authorizes the driver to drive tank vehicles;

(10) S - authorizes the driver to drive school buses transporting children;

(11) X - authorizes the driver to drive tank vehicles transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding;

(12) W - restricts the driver to the operation of commercial motor vehicles in accordance with a waiver for farm-related service industries issued under section 4506.24 of the Revised Code.

CDL Exemptions

The law exempts these categories from the CDL:

1. A "Farm Truck"; ("Farm Truck" means a truck controlled and operated by a farmer for use in the transportation to or from a farm, for a distance of no more than one hundred fifty miles, of products of the farm, supplies for the farm, or other purposes connected with the operation of the farm. The truck must be operated in accordance with Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.02(B2) and is not used in the operation of a motor transportation company or private motor carrier.)

2. Fire equipment for a fire department, volunteer or non-volunteer fire company, fire district, or joint fire district;

3. A public safety vehicle used to provide transportation or emergency medical service for ill or injured persons; ("Public safety vehicle" has the same meaning as in divisions (E)(1) and (3) of Ohio Revised Code, Section 4511.01 ORC)

4. A recreational vehicle; ("Recreational vehicle" includes every vehicle that is defined as a recreational vehicle in Ohio Revised Code, Section 4501.01, and is used exclusively for purposes other than engaging in business or profit)

5. A commercial motor vehicle within the boundaries of an eligible unit of local government*, if the person is employed by the eligible unit of local government and is operating the commercial motor vehicle for the purpose of removing snow or ice from a roadway by plowing, sanding, or salting, but only if either the employee who holds a commercial driver's license and ordinarily operates a commercial vehicle for these purposes is unable to operate the vehicle, or the employing eligible unit of local government determines that a snow or ice emergency exists that requires additional assistance.

6. A vehicle operated for military purpose by any member or uniformed employee of the armed forces of the United States or their reserve components, including the Ohio National Guard. This exception does not apply to United States reserve technicians.

7. A commercial motor vehicle that is operated for nonbusiness purposes. "Operated for nonbusiness purposes" means that the commercial motor vehicle is not used in commerce as "commerce" is defined in 48 C.F.R. 383.5 as amended, and is not regulated by the public utilities commission pursuant to Chapter 4919., 4821., or 4923.,of the Ohio Revised Code.

8. A motor vehicle that is designed primarily for the transportation of goods and not persons while that motor vehicle is being used for the occasional transportation of personal property by individuals not for compensation and not in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise.

*Eligible unit of local government means a village, township, or county that has no population of not more than 3,000 persons according to the most recent federal census.

Procedures for Obtaining a CDL or CDL Instruction Permit

To get a CDL or CDL Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC) you are required to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Ohio State driver's license.

• Your social security card issued by the Social Security Administration. Your social security number is required for identification purposes. This is a mandatory requirement.

A TIPIC may be issued to an individual who holds a valid automobile or classified driver's license. The holder of a TIPIC may drive a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license, valid for the type of vehicle driven, who occupies a seat beside the individual, for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle.

• The TIPIC is valid for (6) six months.  A TIPIC expires after six (6) months and cannot be renewed.  A new permit must be purchased and the vision and knowledge tests must be re-taken.

• The TIPIC fee is $27.00.

Testing

Both the knowledge (written) and skill (driving) tests are required to receive a CDL. A knowledge test is required for:

• the class of vehicle;

• each endorsement; and

• removing the air brake restriction.

The skill test consists of a pre-trip inspection and a road test, and takes up to 90 minutes. You will need to provide a vehicle appropriate to the class of license you apply for, including a bus (designed to carry 16 or more persons including the driver) if applying for a passenger endorsement.

After a CDL is issued, adding a passenger endorsement, upgrading a license or removing a restriction requires both knowledge and skill tests and applicable fees.

All drivers who surrender the CDL license or any endorsement will be required to pay all applicable fees and retake both the knowledge and skill tests to obtain a CDL.

Fees

To obtain a CDL you will need to pay the appropriate fees.

• $10 for the pre-trip inspection portion of the test;

• $10 for the off-road maneuvering portion of the test;

• $30 for the on-road portion of the test.

The CDL applicant who schedules an appointment with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP), may have to pay an appointment fee of $50 at the time he schedules the appointment. These fees are in addition to any fees for your basic driver's license.

Click HERE to view the fees for the various types of commercial driver's licenses (CDL) issued.

Renewal/Upgrade

When applying for a renewal or upgrade of a CDL, all applicants shall:

• Provide any updated information;

• Pass a written hazardous materials test if wishing to retain or upgrade a hazardous materials endorsement;

• Complete any additional testing requirements for an upgrade.

Medical Waiver Procedures

All commercial drivers must meet minimum medical standards as established by federal (49 C.F.R.391) and state (Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.10) rules and regulations.

Intrastate

The Ohio Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP) have adopted the same medical standards for all Ohio licensed drivers who operate in intrastate commerce. Both PUCO and OSP rules and regulations authorize intrastate drivers who do not meet minimum medical standards to apply to: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, for an intrastate medical waiver.

The state's regulations allow the issuance of a K2 Restricted Commercial License for those who do not meet the federal highway's (49 C.F.R. 391) minimum medical standards. This restriction allows the operation of the commercial vehicle only within the State of Ohio, provided they are not regulated by the PUCO or the Federal Highway Administration. All drivers that operate a commercial vehicle involved in commerce or in another regulated field must seek and receive a medical waiver from the PUCO.

Prior to applying for a license, drivers who need an intrastate medical waiver must send the following information to: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215-3793.

• A letter of application for a waiver. The letter must be submitted jointly by the person seeking a waiver of the physical disqualification (driver applicant) and by the motor carrier that will be employing the driver applicant. If the driver is self-employed or currently unemployed, a letter from the motor carrier will not be necessary. The letter must contain the name and address of the motor carrier (employer), the name, license number and resident address of the driver, and a description of the driver applicant's impairment for which the waiver is being requested

• A copy of the current physical examination.

• A medical evaluation summary completed by a board qualified or board certified physician or orthopedic surgeon. The medical evaluation summary must include a statement by the physician on how and why the impairment interferes with the ability of the driver to perform normal tasks associated with operating a commercial motor vehicle, and an assessment and medical opinion of whether the condition will likely remain medically stable for at least two years.

Mail this information to: PUCO; 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3793. The information may be faxed to: (614) 752-8349. Any questions concerning an intrastate medical waiver should be directed to the PUCO. at 614-466-3191.

Requests for intrastate medical waivers are processed promptly and mailed to the driver. After receipt of the medical waiver, application can be made for a CDL license. The medical waiver and the CDL license must be carried at all times when operating a commercial vehicle.

Interstate

Interstate waivers are processed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Drivers who are missing or have the impaired use of a foot, leg, hand, or arm may be eligible to apply for an interstate waiver. To apply, contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. For additional information, contact the Columbus office of the Federal Highway Administration at 614-280-5657.

Special Requirements:

• You are required to notify your employer if your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled or if you are disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle. Do this before the end of the business day following the day you received notice of the action.

• You must notify your employer, in writing, of all traffic convictions within thirty days. This includes those in your private automobile as well as a commercial vehicle.

• You must notify the CDL/In-State Violations Unit, in writing, of all out-of-state traffic convictions within thirty days of the conviction. Write to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 16784, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6784.

Disqualification Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.16

You can be disqualified or lose your commercial driver's license for certain convictions.

NOTE:

• Under Ohio's commercial driver's license law, any person who holds a CDL shall be deemed to have consented to such testing as is required of him/her by any state or jurisdiction.

• If any level of alcohol is detected, law enforcement can place a commercial driver out-of-service for 24 hours. It is illegal to operate a commercial vehicle with any alcohol in your system.

Skills/Testing Locations