Driver License Class Types
Driver License Class Descriptions; Class Qualifications Eligible to Drive: Endorsements; A Commercial (CDL) Age 21 or older: Most single unit vehicles and vehicle combinations up to legal weight limits depending on endorsements and restrictions. H, M, N, P, S, T, W, X Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) Limited to: M, N, P, S, W: B Commercial (CDL) Age 18 or older. A class A license is a type of driver's license issued in the United States. Individuals who possess this type of license are legally allowed to drive very large vehicles with trailers. Some class A truck drivers also need to have special endorsements on their licenses to drive more specialized vehicles. License, ID and Permit Types Listed below are the different Commercial, Non-Commercial, ID, and Permit types that are provided by the Department of Driver Services. Click on the links below to view details.
To drive certain types of commercial motor vehicles in the United States, the federal government requires drivers to possess a commercial driver's license (CDL). These licenses, however, are not all created equal.
- Below is a list of all Commercial Driver’s License classes. What is a CDL Class A? A Class A commercial driver's license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds.
- Class A, Class B, Class C and Commercial (CDL) licenses People 21 years of age or older are entitled to apply for a Class A driver's license. They can also apply for any CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement. Those who have turned 18 can apply for a Class B or Class C driver's license.
The type of vehicle you intend to operate dictates your CDL classification, and vice versa. Classes for commercial driver licenses are:
- Class A.
- Class B.
- Class C.
Each CDL classification is distinguished by the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) among other items. Keep in mind that the CDL classification you apply for will determine not only the type of vehicle you are allowed to drive, but also which endorsements you may be required to obtain.
Here is a breakdown for each CDL classification and the examples of vehicles you may be allowed.
What is a Class A CDL?
A Class A commercial driver's license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, to include a towed vehicle that is HEAVIER than 10,000 lbs.
While your towing allowances will depend on which endorsements you obtain, a few of the vehicles you MAY be able to drive with a Class A CDL (with proper endorsements) include:
- Tractor-trailers.
- Truck and trailer combinations.
- Double and triple trailers.
- Tractor-trailer buses.
- Tanker vehicles.
- Livestock carriers.
- Flatbeds.
In addition, a Class A license may allow you to drive some Class B and Class C vehicles as long as you possess the correct endorsements.
What is a Class B CDL?
A Class B commercial driver license is required to operate:
- A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or heavier.
AND/OR - Any vehicle as described above that is towing another vehicle weighing UP TO 10,000 lbs.
As with Class A licenses, you may be required to possess specific endorsements to operate some vehicles with a Class B license. Some of the vehicles you may be allowed to operate (with the right endorsement) include:
- Straight trucks.
- Large buses, including:
- City buses.
- Tourist buses.
- School buses.
- Segmented buses.
- Box trucks, such as:
- Delivery drivers.
- Couriers.
- Furniture delivery.
- Dump trucks with small trailers.
In addition, a Class B license may allow you to operate some Class C vehicles if you possess the correct endorsements. For more information, visit our guide to CDL endorsements.
What is a Class C License?
A Class C commercial driver's license may be required if:
- The vehicle you intend to drive does not meet the criteria described for either a Class A or Class B license.
AND - Is meant to transport EITHER:
- At least 16 passengers (to include you, the driver).
OR - Hazardous material (HAZMAT) as laid out by federal guidelines.
- At least 16 passengers (to include you, the driver).
Examples of vehicles you might be able to operate with a Class C CDL (with proper endorsement) include:
- Small HAZMAT vehicles.
- Passenger vans.
- Combination vehicles not described in class A or B.
- EXAMPLE: A small truck towing a trailer.
Non-Commercial Driver Licenses
CLASS E: Any non-commercial motor vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) less than 26,001 pounds, including passenger cars, 15 passenger vans including the driver, trucks or recreational vehicles and two or three wheel motor vehicles 50 cc or less, such as mopeds or small scooters. (see below). Farmers and drivers of authorized emergency vehicles who are exempt from obtaining a commercial driver license must obtain a Class E driver license.
True phone dialer download. Tenda wireless adapter drivers. Class E driver license restrictions for individuals under 21:
- 16 year olds can only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or the driver is traveling to or from work.
- 17 year olds Can only drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or the driver is traveling to or from work.
CLASS ELearner’s License: Motor vehicles less than 8,000 pounds
- A learner’s license has the following conditions:
- Must have a licensed driver at least 21 years old occupying the closest seat to the right of the driver;
- Can only drive during daylight hours during the first three months from the original issue date and until 10:00 p.m., thereafter; and
- Are not allowed to operate motorcycles.
Motorcycles
For those authorized to operate motorcycle, the following abbreviation will appear on the front of the driver license under the expiration date: MOTORCYCLE ALSO or MOTORCYCLE ONLY.
Previous Credential
the following abbreviation will appear on the front of the driver license under the expiration date: “MOTORCYCLE ALSO” or “MOTORCYCLE ONLY.”
New Credential
On the new credential, available in select locations starting in August 2017, motorcycle endorsements will no longer be spelled out on the front of Florida driver licenses. Motorcycle Also and Motorcycle Only endorsements have been added and are designated by an “A” or “O” in the endorsement field (“END”) located on the front of the card. They are also indicated by a “A-MTRCL Also” or “O-MTRCL Only” on the back of the card in the endorsement field (“END”).
For more information on how to obtain a motorcycle endorsement, click here.
Military
For military servicemembers and families, important information and assistance is available here.
Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL)

CLASS A: Trucks or truck combinations weighing with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 lbs.
Indiana Driver's License Class Types
CLASS B: Straight trucks weighing 26,001 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or more.
CLASS C: Vehicles transporting placardable amounts of hazardous materials, or vehicles designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 lbs.
CDL Exemptions
The following persons are exempt from the requirements to obtain a commercial driver license:
- Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles that are equipped with extraordinary audible warning devices that display red or blue lights and are on call to respond to emergencies;or
- Military personnel driving military vehicles; or
- Farmers transporting farm supplies or farm machinery, or transporting agricultural products to or from the first place of storage or processing or directly to or from market, within 150 miles of their farm; or
- Drivers of recreational vehicles used for recreational purposes; or
- Drivers who operate straight trucks (single units) that are exclusively transporting their own tangible personal property which is not for sale.
- An employee of a publicly owned transit system who is limited to moving vehicles for maintenance or parking purposes exclusively within the restricted-access confines of a transit system’s property.
Driver License Restrictions, Endorsements and Designations
Restrictions
Code | Descriptor | Explanation |
---|---|---|
A | A–Corr Lenses | Corrective Lenses: The driver must wear contact lenses or glasses to meet vision requirements. |
B | B–Outside Mirror | Outside Rearview Mirror: An outside rearview mirror must be affixed to the left side of any vehicle driven by a driver with this restriction. |
C | C–Business Purposes | Business Purposes Only: The driver is limited to driving which is necessary to maintain livelihood, including driving to and from work, necessary on-the-job driving, driving for educational purposes, driving to and from church, or for medical purposes. |
D | D–Employment Purposes | Employment Purposes Only: The driver is limited to driving to and from work and any necessary on-the-job driving required by an employer or occupation. |
E | E–Daylight Drive Only | Daylight Driving Only: The driver is limited to daylight driving only. |
F | F–Auto Transmission | Automatic Transmission: The driver is restricted from operating a standard transmission vehicle. |
G | G–Power Steering | Power Steering: The driver is limited to operating vehicles with power steering. |
I | I–Dir Signals | Directional Signals: The driver may not operate any vehicle without functioning turn signals. |
J | K-Steering Wheel Grip | Grip on Steering Wheel: The driver is limited todriving a vehicle that has a grip or knob affixed to the steering wheel |
K | K- Hearing Aid | Hearing Aid: This restriction is placed on a commercial driver license (CDL) and requires the driver to wear a hearing aid during the operation of a vehicle. |
M | M-Mech Aid | Hand Control or Pedal Extension: The driver is required to use a mechanical driving aid such as a hand control or pedal extension device. |
N | N-Left Foot Accelerator | Left Foot Accelerator: The driver is required to use a left foot accelerator. |
P | P-Interlock Device | Probation-Ignition Interlock Device: The driver is limited to operating a vehicle that has an ignition interlock device installed. |
S | S-Other | Other Restriction |
V | V-Medical Variance | (CDL) Medical Variance |
X | X- Medical Alert Bracelet | Medical Alert Bracelet: The driver must wear a medical alert bracelet while operating a motor vehicle. |
1 | 1–Veh w/o Air Brakes | (CDL) Vehicles without Air brakes: Restricts a CDL holder from operating any commercial vehicle with air brakes. |
2 | 2–Intrastate Only | (CDL) Intrastate Only: The CDL holder is limited to operating a commercial vehicle within the state of Florida. |
5 | 5–No Tractor/ Trailer | (CDL) No Tractor/Trailer: Restricts a CDL holder from operating a Class A tractor-trailer vehicle. |
6 | 6–No Class A Pass Veh | (CDL) No Class A Passenger Vehicle: Restricts a Class A CDL holder from operating Class A passenger vehicles. |
7 | 7–No Class B Pass Veh | (CDL) No Class B Passenger Vehicle: Restricts Class A or Class B CDL holders from operating Class B passenger vehicles. |
The following restrictions have been removed from use on Florida driver licenses:
- Seat Cushion
- No Passengers on Motorcycle
- Education Purposes
- (CDL) Bus Only
- CMV <26,001 LBS. GVWR
These restrictions will remain valid on previously-issued credentials, but will no longer be added to any new credential issuances.
Endorsements
Code | Descriptor | Explanation |
---|---|---|
A | A–MTRCL Also | Motorcycle Also: Allows a rider, holding a valid Florida driver license, to operate a motorcycle, in addition to any other motor vehicles for which they are already licensed. |
H | H–HazMat | (CDL) Placarded HazMat: Allows a CDL holder to operate a vehicle transporting hazardous materials in placardable amounts. |
N | N–Tanker | Tank Vehicle: Allows CDL holder to operate a tank vehicle designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material with designed capacity of 1,000 gallons or more. |
O | O–MTRCL Only | Motorcycle Only: Specifies that a rider is restricted to operating a motorcycle only. |
P | P–>15 Passengers | (CDL) Passengers: Allows a CDL holder to operate any vehicle, public or private, designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver. |
S | S–School Bus | (CDL) School Bus: Allows a CDL holder to operate a commercial motor vehicle designed to transport pre-primary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events. This endorsement does not include the operation of a bus used as a common carrier. |
T | T–Dbl/Trpl Trailers | (CDL) Combination Vehicle with Double/Triple Trailers: Allows a CDL holder to operate vehicles with double or triple trailers. |
X | X–HM+Tanker | (CDL) Endorsement H and N: Allows a CDL holder to operate any tank vehicle and/or transport |
Designations
Driving License Class Types
Several other designations may be listed on Florida driver licenses and ID cards in various locations.
Driver License Class Types Nv
DESIGNATION | SYMBOL | DESCRIPTION |
---|---|---|
Deaf/Hard of Hearing | Designation showing that the cardholder is deaf or hard of hearing | |
Developmentally Disabled | Designation showing that an ID cardholder is developmentally disabled | |
FWC Lifetime Boater | Lifetime Boater Safety endorsement from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) | |
FWC Lifetime Freshwater | Lifetime FWC Freshwater Fishing License | |
FWC Lifetime Hunting | Lifetime FWC hunting license | |
FWC Lifetime Saltwater | Lifetime FWC Saltwater Fishing License | |
FWC Lifetime Sportsman’s | Lifetime FWC Sportsman's License | |
Insulin Dependent | INSULIN DEP | Designation showing that the cardholder is insulin dependent |
Organ Donor | Designation showing that the cardholder wishes to be an organ donor through Donate Life Florida | |
Veteran | Designation showing that the cardholder is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces |