New York’s personal injury law firm
Click For Your Free ConsulationPosted in Truck Accidents on June 27, 2024
Unless you have already applied for or received a commercial driver’s license, you may not be aware that there is more than one type of CDL. A commercial license is needed to drive any kind of commercial vehicle, but exactly which type of CDL a person needs depends on what kind of vehicle they plan to drive and what type of freight that vehicle is carrying.
In 1986, Congress passed the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Before that time, some states allowed drivers to operate large commercial vehicles without any specific training as long as they possessed a valid state driver’s license.
The law was changed to improve safety, decrease trucking accidents, and ensure every driver had the experience they needed to operate the vehicles they were entrusted with.
Before a driver can undertake behind-the-wheel training, they must apply for and be issued a CDL learner’s permit. Anyone with a valid New York driver’s license and a clean driving record can apply for a learner’s permit in the state of New York. Once the driver is authorized, they can begin their training for one (or all) of the specialized CDL classes.
A Class A CDL is needed to operate any vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight of 26,001 pounds or more. That includes a towed vehicle weighing over 10,000 pounds.
Some of the vehicles covered by a Class A license include:
With the correct endorsements, having a Class A license may qualify a driver to operate some Class B and Class C vehicles. You must be 21 years or older and have a legal presence in the U.S. to apply for a Class A license.
A person holding a Class B license can operate a single vehicle with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or any vehicle that is towing another vehicle weighing up to 10,000 pounds.
Some of the vehicles operated by a Class B license holder include:
You must be 18 years or older and have a legal presence in the U.S. to apply for a Class B license.
You may require a Class C license to operate a vehicle that doesn’t meet the Class A or Class B criteria or a vehicle that is intended to transport at least 16 people or hazardous materials.
Some of the vehicles covered by a Class C license include:
Class C holders must be 18 or older and have a legal presence in the U.S.
There are several commercial driver’s license opportunities for those between the ages of 16 and 18 in the state of New York, including:
Licenses with junior designations require participation in the Graduated Driver License process and may have restrictions.
Getting a commercial driver’s license in New York is only the first step. Retaining your license requires diligence, obeying traffic laws, and being a safe driver. Truck accidents can be serious, causing potentially fatal injuries to commercial drivers and others.
Take each step of getting your CDL seriously, and make sure you have the necessary training for the license you want.
If you need legal assistance, contact the New York City truck accident lawyers at Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation.
We have two convenient locations in New York:
Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – New York City Office
450 7th Ave #1605
New York, NY 10123
(212) 564-2800
Law Offices of Jay S. Knispel Personal Injury Lawyers – Brooklyn Office
26 Court St Suite 2511
Brooklyn, NY 11242
(718) 802-1600