To provide the Hazardous Materials equipment operator with an understanding of the requirements for obtaining an appropriate California Commercial Driver's License and endorsements.

Define, in writing, "Commercial Vehicle", "Commercial Driver's License", and "Tank Vehicle" as defined in the California Vehicle Code (VC). Explain, in writing, which driver's license, class and endorsement is required to operate various "Commercial Vehicles" upon the highways of the State of California. Explain, in writing, the classes of driver's license available and which vehicle(s) the holder of each class is authorized to drive. Explain, in writing, the requirements for obtaining a "Commercial Driver's License" for operating a commercial vehicle in California. Explain, in writing, the physical and medical evaluation requirements for obtaining a "Commercial Driver's License" in California.

Approximately 30 minutes.

None

Approximately mid way through this course the accomplishment of the objectives of this lesson will be demonstrated by completing a 25 question written mid-term examination, approximately 8% of which will relate to the material covered in this lesson.

Double trailer. (Indicated by "T" on license)

Passenger vehicle. (Indicated by "P" on license)

Tank Vehicle [Includes cement truck]. (Indicated by "N" on license)

Vehicle carrying hazardous materials. (Indicated by "H" on license)

Tank with hazmat. (Indicated by "X" on license)

Any combination of vehicles when the towed vehicle is over 10,000 pounds.

(A truck tractor is a vehicle and a trailer is a separate vehicle. Therefore, a truck towing a trailer is a combination of vehicles. A Class A commercial driver's license is not required unless the towed vehicle weighs is over 10,000 pounds. For example: a pickup truck towing a boat which weighs perhaps 2,000 pounds would only require a Class C license. A Class A would only be required if the trailer weighs more than 10,000 pounds.)

Any vehicle towing more than one vehicle.

(A vehicle towing two trailers [some states allow trucks to tow 3 trailers but luckily California is not one of them] would require the Class A license.)

(There is a special Class A license for motor homes towing a boat and another trailer. That is considered a non-commercial Class A and it does not have the same qualifications and testing requirements as the Commercial Class A.)

Any trailer bus.

(You don't see these very often unless you live near a military base. It looks like any other truck towing a box trailer but the trailer is designed to haul passengers. They are humorously refered to as "Cattle Cars.")

All vehicles permitted to be operated under a Class B or C license.

Does not include two wheeled motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.

As you can tell from the description above, this applies primarily to the big commercial trucks.

Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more.

(If the single vehicle weighs less that 26,001 pounds only a Class C is required, even if the vehicle is used commercially)

Any single vehicle with three or more axles, unless the vehicle weighs less than 6,000 pounds.

(If the towing vehicle weighs less than 6,000 pounds only a Class C license is required as long as the towed vehicle weighs less than 10,000 pounds)

Any bus except a trailer bus.

Any farm labor vehicle.

Above vehicles towing vehicle 10,000 pounds or less.

(If the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds a Class A would be required.)

Any housecar over 40' long.

All vehicles permitted to be operated under a Class B or C license.

Does not include two wheeled motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.

Any 2-axle vehicle weighing less than 26,001 pounds.

(This is the license that most folks are issued to operate the normal family vehicle, such as cars, vans, and pickup trucks. But it can be used to operate delivery trucks and such as long as they weigh less than 26,001 pounds.)

Any 2-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more towing a trailer coach 9,000 pounds or less.

(Many smaller vehicles and pickup trucks weigh less than 4,000 pounds. If the towing vehicle weighs less than 4,000 it may not tow one of these large trailer coaches.)

Any housecar 40' or less.

(This refers to motorhomes and it makes no difference if it has 3 axels or weighs over 26,000 pounds.)

Any 3-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds or less.

(Does not apply to housecars. Usually applies to pickup trucks or smaller commercial vehicles.)

Any of the above vehicles towing a vehicle weighing 10,000 pounds or less.

(This appears to conflict with the "Any 2-axle vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or more towing a trailer coach 9,000 pounds or less" but that is the way it is in the Vehicle Code. Sorry, but even I do not fully understand the reason behind this.)

Any 2-axle vehicle weighing over 4,000 pounds towing:

Trailer coach or fifth wheel travel trailer not over 10,000 pounds.

A fifth wheel travel trailer over 10,000 pounds but not over 15,000 pounds if driver passed special test. (Class 3 may be so endorsed)

Not for compensation.

Any combination of vehicles with a GVW of 26,000 pounds or less may tow boat trailer:

Recreational purpose or to repair.

Not a common or contract carrier or business endeavor.

Not for compensation.

Not permit size.

(This refers to adding a boat trailer as the third vehicle in the combination. However, this cannot be a business endeavor and cannot be for compensation. Essentially you can only tow the boat trailer as a third vehicle for recreation or to tow it to a repair shop. But even then the combination cannot exceed the length, height, or weight limitations that would require a special permit from CalTrans.)

Does not include two wheeled motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.