The CDL Program is a nationwide effort to ensure that only qualified commercial drivers receive and maintain commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) and to remove unsafe and unqualified drivers from our highways.
The CDL Program evolved following the passage of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA), Public Law 99-570. Additional information can be found where the CDL Program was codified by Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Office of Motor Carriers (OMC) in 49 CFR part 383. The CDL program established:
- minimum testing standards and disqualification requirements for would-be CDL holders, and
- information system requirements for the states
Prior to the CDL Program, it was not uncommon for some commercial drivers to maintain several licenses. They would spread out traffic convictions among various "identities." One of the CMVSA's principal tenets is "one driver, one record, one license."
Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999 (P.L. 106-159)
Purpose:
- Establish a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Reduce the number and severity of large-truck-involved crashes through more commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and driver inspections and carrier compliance reviews, stronger enforcement, expedited completion of rules, sound research, and effective commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing, record keeping, and sanctions.
Additional Provisions:
- Registration Enforcement and Penalties
- New Entrants and Certification of Safety Investigators
- Motor Carrier Safety Initiatives
- Data and Analysis
- Other Provisions
The CDL program has three federally-defined classes, depending on the configuration of the vehicle the driver intends to operate. Not sure what CDL Class a driver should be licensed in? This flow chart will help you.
There are numerous endorsements and restrictions that may also be added to the license, some of which are federally prescribed.
Jurisdictions may assign their own endorsements to their CDLs as long as they are explained on the license document. Please refer to your jurisdiction for specific information on additional classifications, endorsements, restrictions and licensing requirements.