PAGE 3
Section 1 - Introduction Page 1-1
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
CDL Endorsements & Restrictions
Endorsements
All commercial drivers who drive certain types of
vehicles or haul certain types of cargo must add
endorsements to their CDL license and/or
Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) to show that
they have the specialized knowledge required for
these operations. There are six kinds of CDL
endorsements that may be required, depending on
the vehicle or type of cargo.
NOTE: The only endorsements that may be
added to a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
are:
- Passenger (P);
- School bus (S); and
- Tank vehicle (N).
Double and Triple Trailers (T). Many drivers who
are qualified to drive Class A vehicles may wish to
pull double or triple trailers. Research shows that
considerable additional knowledge and skill is
necessary to safely pull double and triple trailers in
various traffic conditions and driving environments.
Consequently, adding the endorsement to the
licenses of Class A drivers is necessary if they wish
to pull double or triple trailers. A special knowledge
examination on the problems associated with pulling
multiple trailers must be passed.
Tank Vehicle (N). Drivers of any commercial motor
vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or
gaseous materials within a tank or tanks having an
individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons
and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or
more that is either permanently or temporarily
attached to the vehicle or the chassis must obtain this
endorsement. Applies to Class A, B and C (only
applicable to Class C if the vehicle is hauling
hazardous materials) vehicles. Liquids in bulk cause
driving control problems because the cargo is heavy,
prone to shifting, and has a high center of gravity.
These drivers must pass a special knowledge
examination on the problems posed by large volume
liquid cargos to add the endorsement to their
CDL/CLP.
Passengers (P). Drivers who wish to drive a vehicle
having a design capacity to carry 16 or more people,
including the driver, must add a passenger
endorsement to their CDL/CLP. They must pass a
special knowledge examination on safety
considerations when transporting passengers and
must pass skills tests in a passenger vehicle. The
endorsement applies to applicants who wish to drive
a bus in any class (A, B, or C).
Hazardous Materials (H). Any driver, regardless of
the vehicle Class/Group (A, B, or C) who wishes to
haul any material that has been designated as
hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and is required to
be placarded under subpart F of 49 CFR part 172; or
any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or
toxin 42 CFR Part 73 must add a hazardous
materials endorsement to their CDL. S/he must pass
a special written examination on how to recognize,
handle, and transport hazardous materials.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
and the US Department of Transportation require
background checks on commercial drivers who are
certified to transport hazardous materials. The
background checks include a review of criminal,
immigration and FBI records. If the driver is found
to represent a security threat, TSA will notify the
person and the state will deny issuance of an
endorsement.
Combination Hazardous Materials and Tank
Vehicle (X). Drivers of tank vehicles who haul
hazardous materials or waste in amounts requiring
placards must add an X endorsement to their CDL,
showing that they have passed the special
knowledge examinations for both tank vehicles and
hazardous materials.
School Buses (S). Drivers who wish to drive a
school bus, must add a school bus endorsement to
their CDL/CLP. They must pass a special knowledge
examination on safety considerations when
transporting passengers in a school bus and must
pass skills tests in a school bus. The endorsement
applies to applicants who wish to drive a school bus
in any class (A, B, or C).
In addition to these six required endorsements,
states may add special endorsements of their
own as they see fit.
Restrictions
Restrictions may be added to Commercial Driver
Licenses/Permits based upon the type of vehicle and
equipment that the driver uses for the Skills Test.
There are ten standardized restriction codes.
NOTE: If a CLP is issued with a Passenger (P) or a
School Bus (S) endorsement, it must also contain a
(P) – No passengers in a CMV bus restriction.
If a CLP is issued with a Tanker (N) endorsement, it
must also contain a (X) – No cargo in a CMV tank
vehicle.
Section 1 - Introduction Page 1-2
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
(E) - No manual transmission. If an applicant
performs the skills test in a vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission, the State must indicate on
the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from
operating a CMV equipped with a manual
transmission. For the purposes of the skills test and
the restriction, an automatic transmission includes
any transmission not operating fully on the gear shift
and clutch principle.
(K) - Intrastate only: If an applicant certifies their
status as either Non-Excepted Intrastate or
Excepted Intrastate, the state must indicate on the
CDL, if issued, that person is restricted from
operating a CMV in interstate commerce. States
may impose this restriction for reasons other than
those specified above.
(L) - No Air brake equipped CMV: If an applicant
does not take or fails the air brake component of the
knowledge test, or performs the skills test in a
vehicle not equipped with air brakes, the State must
indicate on the CLP or CDL, if issued, that the
person is restricted from operating a CMV equipped
with any type of air brakes. For the purposes of the
skills test and the restriction, air brakes include any
braking system operating fully or partially on the air
brake principle.
(M) - No Class A passenger vehicle: If an
applicant applying for a passenger endorsement
performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle
requiring a Group B CDL, the State must indicate on
the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from
operating a passenger vehicle requiring a Group A
CDL.
(N) - No Class A and B passenger vehicle: If an
applicant applying for a passenger endorsement
performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle
requiring a Group C CDL, the State must indicate on
the CDL, if issued, that the person is restricted from
operating a passenger vehicle requiring a Group A
or B CDL
(O) - No tractor trailer CMV: If an applicant
performs the skills test in a combination vehicle for
a Group A CDL with the power unit and towed unit
connected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel
connection, the State must indicate on the CDL, if
issued, that the person is restricted from operating
a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth
wheel that requires a Group A CDL.
An applicant who passes a skills test using a
combination vehicle that is NOT a Truck Tractor
Semi-Trailer combination, but is otherwise
equipped with a fifth wheel, will be issued a CDL
with an “O” restriction.
(P) - No passengers in CMV bus: A CLP holder
with a P endorsement is prohibited from operating a
CMV carrying passengers, other than Federal/State
auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other
trainees, and the CDL holder accompanying the
CLP holder as prescribed by § CFR 383.25(a)(1) of
this part.
A CLP holder with a S endorsement is prohibited
from operating a school bus with passengers, other
than Federal/State auditors and inspectors, test
examiners, other trainees, and the CDL holder
accompanying the CLP holder as prescribed by §
CFR 383.25(a)(1) of this part.
(V) - Medical Variance: If the State is notified
according to § 383.73(o)(3) that the driver has been
issued a medical variance, the State must indicate
the existence of such a medical variance on the
CDLIS driver record and the CDL document, if
issued, using the restriction code ‘‘V’’ to indicate
there is information about a medical variance on the
CDLIS driver record.
(X) - No cargo in CMV tank vehicle: A CLP holder
with an N endorsement may only operate an empty
tank vehicle and is prohibited from operating any
tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous
materials that has not been purged of any residue.
(Z) - No full air brake equipped CMV: If an
applicant performs the skills test in a vehicle
equipped with air over hydraulic brakes, the State
must indicate on the CDL, if issued, that the person
is restricted from operating a CMV equipped with
any braking system operating fully on the air brake
principle. For the purposes of the skills test and the
restriction, air over hydraulic brakes includes any
braking system operating partially on the air brake
and partially on the hydraulic brake principle.
Any additional jurisdictional restrictions that apply to
the CLP driving privilege.
To Get a CDL or CLP
To get a CDL or CLP, you must pass knowledge and
skills tests. This manual will help you pass the tests,
however, it is not a substitute for a truck driver
training class or program. Formal training is the
most reliable way to learn the many special skills
required for safely driving a large commercial
vehicle and becoming a professional driver in the
trucking industry. Figure 1.1 helps you determine if
you need a CDL
Section 1 - Introduction Page 1-3
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
Figure 1.1
NOTE: A bus may be Class A, B, or C depending on whether the GVWR is over 26,001 pounds or is a
combination vehicle.
Section 1 - Introduction Page 1-4
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
1.1 – Commercial Driver License Tests
1.1.1 – Knowledge Tests
You will have to take one or more knowledge tests,
depending on what class of license and what
endorsements you need. The CDL knowledge tests
include:
The general knowledge test, taken by all
applicants.
The passenger transport test, taken by all bus
driver applicants.
The air brakes test, which you must take if your
vehicle has air brakes, including air over hydraulic
brakes.
The combination vehicles test, which is required
defined area. These areas may be marked with
traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar.
The examiner will tell you how each control test is to
be done.
On-road Test. You will be tested on your skill to
safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic
situations. The situations may include left and right
turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up
and down grades, single or multi-lane roads,
streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you
where to drive.
Figure 1.2 details which sections of this manual you
should study for each particular class of license and
for each endorsement.
What Sections Should You Study?
if you want to drive combination vehicles.
The hazardous materials test, required if you
want to haul hazardous materials as defined in 49
CFR 383.5. In order to obtain this endorsement
you are also required to pass a Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) background check.
The tank vehicle test, required if you want to haul
any liquid or gaseous materials in a tank or tanks
having an individual rated capacity of more than
119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of
1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or
temporarily attached to the vehicle or chassis
The doubles/triples test, required if you want to
pull double or triple trailers.
The School Bus test, required if you want to drive
a school bus.
1.1.2 – Skills Tests
If you pass the required knowledge test(s), you can
take the CDL skills test when you are eligible. The
CDL Skills Test consists of three segments:
Vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-
road driving. You must take the segments in the
order listed and must pass each one before moving
to the next. You must take these tests in the type of
vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. Any
vehicle that has components marked or labeled
cannot be used for the CDL Skills Test.
LICENSE
TYPE
1 X X X
2 X X X
3 X X X
4
5* X X X
6 X
7
8
9
10
ENDORSEMENT
X X X
X
X
X X
X
X
X X
X
Vehicle Inspection. You will be tested to see if you
know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will
be asked to do a Vehicle inspection of your vehicle.
You must point to/touch and name the item you are
inspecting and explain to the examiner what you
would inspect and why.
Basic Vehicle Control. You will be tested on your
skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move
your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a
11 X X X X X
12 X X X X X
13 X X X X X
*Study section 5 if you plan to operate vehicles
equipped with air brakes.
Figure 1.2 – What to Study
Section 1 - Introduction Page 1-5
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
1.2 – Medical Documentation
Requirements
Starting January 30, 2012 and no later than January
30, 2014, if you are applying for a CDL Permit; or
are renewing, upgrading, adding endorsements to a
CDL; or transferring a CDL from another state, you
are required to provide information to your State
Driver’s License Agency (SDLA) regarding the type
of commercial motor vehicle operation you drive in
or expect to drive in with your CDL. Drivers
operating in certain types of commerce will be
required to submit a current medical examiner’s
certificate and/or any medical variance documents
that you have been issued (i.e. Vision, Skills
Performance or Diabetic waivers, or other
exemptions) to your SDLA to obtain a “certified”
medical status as part of your driving record. You
must contact your State Driver Licensing Agency
(SDLA) to obtain information regarding the
requirement for submitting these documents.
If you are required to have a ”certified” medical
status and fail to provide and keep up-to-date your
medical examiner’s certificate you become ”not-
certified” and may lose your CDL.
For the purpose of complying with the new
requirements for medical certification, it is important
to know how you are using the CMV. The following
information will help you decide how to self-certify:
1.2.1 – Interstate or Intrastate Commerce
Do you, or will you, use a CDL to operate a CMV in
interstate or intrastate commerce?
Interstate commerce is when you drive a CMV:
From one State to another State or a foreign
country;
Between two places within a State, but during part
of the trip, the CMV crosses into another State or
foreign country; or
Between two places within a State, but the cargo or
passengers are part of a trip that began or will end
in another State or foreign country.
Intrastate commerce is when you drive a CMV
within a State and you do not meet any of the
descriptions above for interstate commerce.
If you operate in both intrastate commerce and
interstate commerce, you must choose interstate
commerce.
1.2.2 – Inter/Intrastate Commerce: Status Non-
excepted or Excepted?
Once you decide whether you will operate in
interstate commerce or intrastate commerce,
you must decide whether you will operate (or expect
to operate) in a non-excepted or excepted status.
This decision will tell you to which of the four types
of commerce you must self-certify.
Interstate Commerce:
You operate in excepted interstate commerce
when you drive a CMV in interstate commerce only
for the following excepted activities:
To transport school children and/or school staff
between home and school;
As Federal, State or local government employees;
To transport human corpses or sick or injured
persons;
Fire truck or rescue vehicle drivers during
emergencies and other related activities;
Primarily in the transportation of propane winter
heating fuel when responding to an emergency
condition requiring immediate response such as
damage to a propane gas system after a storm or
flooding;
In Response to a pipeline emergency condition
requiring immediate response such as a pipeline
leak or rupture;
In custom harvesting on a farm or to transport farm
machinery and supplies used in the custom
harvesting operation to and from a farm or to
transport custom harvested crops to storage or
market;
Beekeeper in the seasonal transportation of bees;
Controlled and operated by a farmer, but is not a
combination vehicle (power unit and towed unit),
and is used to transport agricultural products, farm
machinery or farm supplies (no placardable
hazardous materials) to and from a farm and within
150 air-miles of the farm;
As a private motor carrier of passengers for non-
business purposes; or
To transport migrant workers.
If you answered yes to one or more of the above
activities as the only operation in which you drive,
you operate in excepted interstate commerce and
do not need a Federal medical examiner’s
certificate.
Section 1 - Introduction Page 1-6
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
If you answered no to all of the above activities, you
operate in non-excepted interstate commerce
and are required to provide a current medical
examiner’s certificate (49 CFR 391.45), commonly
referred to as a medical certificate or DOT card, to
your State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA). Most
CDL holders who drive CMVs in interstate
commerce are non-excepted interstate
commerce drivers.
If you operate in both excepted interstate
commerce and non-excepted interstate
commerce, you must choose non-excepted
interstate commerce to be qualified to operate in
both types of interstate commerce.
Intrastate Commerce:
You operate in excepted Intrastate commerce
when you drive a CMV only in intrastate commerce
activities for which your State of licensure has
determined do not require you to meet the State’s
medical certification requirements. (Contact your
SDLA about their requirements).
You operate in non-excepted intrastate
commerce when you drive a CMV only in intrastate
commerce and are required to meet your State of
licensure’s medical certification requirements
(Contact your SDLA about their requirements).
If you operate in both excepted intrastate
commerce and non-excepted intrastate
commerce, you must choose non-excepted
intrastate commerce.
1.2.3 – Self-Certification Statements
When completing an application for your CDL, you
will be required to check the box next to the
statement that describes your status. The actual
statements on your application may vary from those
shown below:
🞎 Interstate non-excepted: I certify that I operate
or expect to operate in interstate commerce,
that I am subject to and meet the Federal DOT
medical card requirements under 49 CFR part
391; and that I am required to obtain a medical
examiner’s certificate.
🞎 Interstate excepted: I certify that I operate or
expect to operate in interstate commerce, but
engage exclusively in transportation or
operations excepted under 49 CFR §§390.3(f),
391.2, 391.68 or 398.3 from all or parts of the
qualification requirements of 49 CFR part 391;
and that I am not required to obtain a medical
examiner’s certificate.
🞎 Intrastate non-excepted: I certify that I operate
or expect to operate entirely in intrastate
commerce, that I am subject to and meet the
medical requirements for my State; and that I
am required to obtain a medical examiner’s
certificate.
🞎 Intrastate excepted: I certify that I operate or
expect to operate entirely in intrastate
commerce, that I am not subject to the medical
requirements for my State; and that I am not
required to obtain a medical examiner’s
certificate.
PAGE 3