The operation of a commercial motor vehicle requires significantly higher levels of knowledge and driving skills than those needed to drive a passenger car. Commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing is geared accordingly. A holder of a CDL is held to a higher standard when driving any type of a vehicle on public roadways. Being found guilty of a serious traffic violation anywhere in the United States can affect a CDL applicant’s or holder’s ability to obtain or maintain his or her CDL. Here’s what you need to know about getting a CDL in California.
Who Needs a CDL?
As per California law, you’ll need a CDL to operate any of the following vehicles:
- A single vehicle with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or over.
- Any combination of the above that includes a trailer.
- A vehicle designed or maintained for carrying 9 or more passengers, including the driver.
- A vehicle with three axles weighing more than 6,000 pounds.
Obtaining a Commercial Learner’s Permit
A commercial driver learner’s permit authorizes a person to practice driving a commercial vehicle on public roadways. So long as the holder of a valid CDL is sitting next to him or her. You’ll also need to pass a U.S. Department of Transportation physical. Upon passing, a card evidencing your physical fitness to drive will be issued. If you already have a California driver’s license for passenger vehicles, that should serve as sufficient identification. But you must also provide proof of a valid social security number.
The Age Requirements for a CDL
In California, a person can operate a commercial motor vehicle and transport cargo that originates and terminates inside of the state if he or she is at least 18-years-old. To drive a commercial vehicle across state lines for purposes of interstate commerce or transporting hazardous materials or waste, the person must be at least 21-years-old. In either case, the operator of the commercial motor vehicle need to have a commercial driver’s license.
The New California Prerequisite
In early 2022, the California Department of Motor Vehicles put the federal Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) in place that requires CDL applicants to successfully complete training by a provider that is registered with the federal Training Provider Registry. This training is required of the applicants who are:
- Obtaining an original Class A or B CDL.
- Upgrading their Class B CDL to a Class A CDL, or
- Obtaining a school bus, passenger or hazardous materials endorsement.
Additional Requirements
On top of the above federal requirements, and before the issuance of a California CDL, a person must complete a minimum of 15 hours of training behind the wheel. They need to present an appropriate certificate verifying completion of such training.
If You Have Questions
For purposes of detailing exactly what you need to do in order to obtain a California CDL, it will be worth your time and effort to review the California DMV CDL Handbook. You can address any other questions or issues with your training provider or the DMV. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and be more than 70 feet long. They can cause severe or catastrophic injuries or even death. Therefore, remember that requiring a CDL is for the health and safety of you and your family.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a crash involving a large truck anywhere in California, contact us at Maison Law. We will provide for a free consultation and case review with our California truck accident lawyer. We’re going to advise you on all of the legal avenues of relief that are available to you. If you hire you to represent you, our goal will be to obtain the highest settlement or award that you deserve. Evidence can disappear and the recollections of witnesses can get hazy. Contact us as soon as you can after getting an injury in any accident due to the negligence of a truck driver.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
After an accident involving a serious injury in the Central Valley, contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer. This way they get honest advice and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
