CDL Enforcement

If you drive a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) you will be required to have a Commercial Driver License (CDL), with a few exceptions.

The definition of a CMV for driver license purposes can be found in section 322.01, Florida Statutes.

“Commercial motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle or motor vehicle combination used on the streets or highways, which:

1. Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more;
2. Is designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver; or
3. Is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 C.F.R. part 172, subpart F.

The Florida CDL requirement can be found in section 322.54, Florida Statutes.  The following persons are required to have a CDL:

• Any person who drives a motor vehicle combination having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more must possess a valid Class A driver license, if the gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. Any person who possesses a valid Class A driver license may, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements, drive any class of motor vehicle within this state.
• Any person, except a person who possesses a valid Class A driver license, who drives a motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more must possess a valid Class B driver license. Any person, except a person who possesses a valid Class A driver license, who drives such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less must possess a valid Class B driver license. Any person who possesses a valid Class B driver license may, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements, drive any class of motor vehicle, other than the type of motor vehicle for which a Class A driver license is required, within this state.
• Any person, except a person who possesses a valid Class A or a valid Class B driver license, who drives a motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds and who is required to obtain an endorsement pursuant to paragraph (1)(b), paragraph (1)(c), or paragraph (1)(e) of s. 322.57, must possess a valid Class C driver license. Any person who possesses a valid Class C driver license may, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements, drive any class of motor vehicle, other than the type of motor vehicle for which a Class A or a Class B driver license is required, within this state.

The Florida exemptions for a CDL can be found in section 322.53, Florida Statutes.  The following persons are exempt from the requirement to obtain a commercial driver license:

• Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles.
• Military personnel driving vehicles operated for military purposes.
• Farmers transporting agricultural products, farm supplies, or farm machinery to or from their farms and within 150 miles of their farms, if the vehicle operated under this exemption is not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier.
• Drivers of covered farm vehicles, as defined in section 316.003, Florida Statutes, if the vehicles are operated in accordance with section 316.302(3), Florida Statutes.
• Drivers of recreational vehicles, as defined in section 320.01, Florida Statutes.
• Drivers who operate straight trucks, as defined in section 316.003, Florida Statutes, and who are transporting exclusively their own tangible personal property, which is not for sale.
• Employees of a publicly owned transit system who are limited to moving vehicles for maintenance or parking purposes exclusively within the restricted-access confines of a transit system’s property.