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§383.91 — Commercial motor vehicle groups (a) Vehicle group descriptions. Each driver applicant must possess and be tested on his/her knowledge and skills, described in subpart G of this part, for the commercial motor vehicle group(s) for which he/she desires a CDL. The commercial motor vehicle groups are as follows: (1) Combination vehicle (Group A) — Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). |
(2) Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B) — Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more), or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) GVWR. |
(3) Small Vehicle (Group C) — Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of Group A nor that of Group B as contained in this section, but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in §383.5. |
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(b) Representative vehicle. For purposes of taking the driving test in accordance with §383.113, a representative vehicle for a given vehicle group contained in §383.91(a), is any commercial motor vehicle which meets the definition of that vehicle group. |
(c) Relation between vehicle groups. Each driver applicant who desires to operate in a different commercial motor vehicle group from the one which his/her CDL authorizes shall be required to retake and pass all related tests, except the following: (1) A driver who has passed the knowledge and skills tests for a combination vehicle (Group A) may operate a heavy straight vehicle (Group B) or a small vehicle (Group C), provided that he/she possesses the requisite endorsement(s); and |
(2) A driver who has passed the knowledge and skills tests for a heavy straight vehicle (Group B) may operate any small vehicle (Group C), provided that he/she possesses the requisite endorsement(s). |
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(d) Vehicle group illustration. Figure 1 illustrates typical vehicles within each of the vehicle groups defined in this section.
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[53 FR 27651, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 47989, Nov. 20, 1989; 61 FR 9566, Mar. 8, 1996; 77 FR 59825, Oct. 1, 2012; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015] §383.91 — DOT Regulatory Guidance Question 1: May a State expand a vehicle group to include vehicles that do not meet the Federal definition of the group? Guidance: Yes, if (a) A person who tests in a vehicle that does not meet the Federal standard for the Group(s) for which the issued CDL would otherwise be valid, is restricted to vehicles not meeting the Federal definition of such Group(s); and (b) The restriction is fully explained on the license.
Question 2: Is a driver of a combination vehicle with a GCWR of less than 26,001 pounds required to obtain a CDL, if the trailer's GVWR is more than 10,000 pounds? Guidance: No, because the GCWR is less than 26,001 pounds. However, the driver would need a CDL if the vehicle is transporting HM, as defined in §383.5, or if it is designed to transport 16 or more people, including the driver.
Question 3: Can a State which expands the vehicle group descriptions in §383.91 enforce those expansions on out-of-State CMV drivers by requiring them to have a CDL? Guidance: No. They must recognize out-of-State licenses that have been validly issued in accordance with the Federal standards and operative licensing compacts.
Question 4: What CMV group is a driver of an articulated motorcoach (bus) with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more required to possess? Guidance: A driver of an articulated bus with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more is required to possess a Class B CDL with the proper endorsement(s).
Question 5: Do tow truck operators need CDLs? If so, in what vehicle group(s)? Guidance: For CDL purposes, the tow truck and its towed vehicle are treated the same as any other powered unit towing a non-powered unit. • If the GCWR of the tow truck is 26,001 pounds or more and the towed vehicle alone exceeds 10,000 pounds GVWR, then the driver needs a Class A CDL. • If the GVWR of the tow truck alone is 26,001 pounds or more, and the driver either (a) drives the tow truck without a vehicle in tow, or (b) drives the tow truck with a towed vehicle of 10,000 pounds or less GVWR, then the driver needs a Class B CDL. • A driver of a tow truck or towing configuration that does not fit either configuration description above requires a Class C CDL only if he or she tows a vehicle required to be placarded for HM on a “subsequent move,” i.e., after the initial movement of the disabled vehicle to the nearest storage or repair facility.
Question 6: May a truck tractor (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5) be driven on public roads by a driver with a Class B CDL? Guidance: Yes, but only if the truck tractor is not pulling a towed unit (trailer) that is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
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