California commercial drivers license restrictions

To change or update your self-certification status on your driver record, complete a California Commercial Driver License Self-Certification Form DL and either mail it to the address on the form or bring it to any DMV office. You operate or expect to operate a CMV in interstate commerce and you meet the qualification requirements under Title 49, CFR, part The license does not restrict the transport, origination, or destination of the load to be transported.

We strongly recommend that you certify a driving type of NI if you meet the federal qualifications and there is any chance you might operate a CMV in interstate commerce. You operate or expect to operate a CMV in intrastate commerce and you meet the qualification requirements under Title 49, CFR, part The cargo and passengers must originate and end in California.

While driving commercially you may not cross state or international borders. California does not issue these types of CDLs. Many DMVs offer sample written tests to help you prepare. All license classes also require application forms, proof of age and name, vision tests and varying fees.

For non-commercial licenses, a permit is usually granted if you pass the written tests. After a certain period of practice, you must return to the DMV and pass the road test.

In order to receive a non-commercial Class A or Class B license, you must already have a Class C license in good standing and adhere to additional requirements. For commercial licenses, most states require background checks and road examinations with Commercial Driving Test centers.

Motorcycle licenses also start with a permit process. After a period of practice, you must pass both a written test and a motorcycle skills test. Age restrictions on certain license types vary by state. With a class C license, you cannot tow more than one car. Commercial Class C licenses are needed to transport hazardous materials see section 6 for more details.

Many states have various age restrictions. The most common age restriction is a curfew imposed on a new driver under a certain age. In West Virginia, drivers under 21 have restrictions on traveling intrastate. Other restrictions include L which limits drivers to vehicles without air-brakes and N a Class C restriction that only lets the driver operate buses 26, pounds or less. Possible determinations include:. Learn more about applying for a commercial driver license, including the application steps, requirements, and fees.

Contact the Licensing Operations Division if you have any questions about the federal medical standards for commercially licensed drivers. When your chat is over, you can save the transcript. Use caution when using a public computer or device. The DMV chatbot and live chat services use third-party vendors to provide machine translation. Machine translation is provided for purposes of information and convenience only.

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Google Translate is not support in your browser. To translate this page, please install the Google Toolbar opens in new window. All commercial drivers who drive interstate. Firefighters who operate fire equipment, any class C vehicle, or any other vehicle in their capacity as a firefighter. Exceptions may be made and a restricted commercial license may be issued. The driver must take a drive test in the applicable type of vehicle, unless they were previously tested and qualified.

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes They have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin for control. A commercial driver generally is not in a position to balance dietary and rest needs. Injury, emotional stress, unrelated illness, diarrhea, vomiting, or infection may also affect control of the diabetic condition. When evaluating the condition of any diabetic, residual effects of the disease should not be overlooked.

Individuals who control their diabetes with diet or oral medication are usually issued a commercial license. However, they may also be affected by these residual effects. Thorough review of the reports for vision and extremities on the medical report, along with urinalysis, is required.

Indications from urinalysis of uncontrolled diabetes may disqualify an applicant from operating a commercial vehicle.

For the above reasons, the circumstances in which an insulin dependent diabetic may be qualified for a restricted intrastate commercial license will be very rare. Under federal standards, a diabetic on insulin therapy, regardless of the degree of control, does not qualify for interstate driving, unless they were issued a federal waiver or exemption. Cardiovascular system They have no clinical diagnosis of any cardiovascular disease which is accompanied by syncope, dyspnea shortness of breath , collapse, or congestive cardiac failure.

The concern is whether there is a current clinical diagnosis or history of an uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, which is accompanied by and likely to cause symptoms of fainting, labored breathing, collapse, congestive cardiac failure, or sudden death.

Respiratory system They have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of a respiratory condition that would interfere with the ability to control and drive a motor vehicle safely. The concern is whether a respiratory condition may result in a lapse of consciousness, dizziness, fatigue, or decreased mental awareness which may interfere with the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Blood pressure They have no clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. The complications that may arise from sustained hypertension such as damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys, and brain are unacceptable for highway safety. Uncontrollable malignant very dangerous hypertension that is rapidly progressive is disqualifying.

Musculo-skeletal system They have no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular disease that interferes with their ability to control and operate a motor vehicle safely.

A driver with an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of these conditions, and who cannot demonstrate compensation through a drive test, does not qualify for a commercial driver license.

Clinical diagnosis of epilepsy is a key medical factor for determining whether an individual is qualified to obtain a commercial license. A clinical diagnosis of epilepsy will usually require a controlling anti-convulsant medication and the driver will not qualify for interstate driving. Blackouts of known cause, when the cause is no longer present nor likely to recur, may not be disqualifying such as a lapse of consciousness due to pregnancy, high fever, allergic reaction to prescribed medication, or insect bite.

The physician should withhold certification until the driver has fully recovered from the condition. Mental or functional disorder They have no mental, nervous, organic, or functional disease or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with their ability to drive a motor vehicle safely.

Physical disorders often underlie these problems. A variety of functional disorders can cause drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, weakness, or paralysis that may lead to poor coordination, inattention, loss of control, and susceptibility to accidents while driving.

Physical fatigue, headache, impaired coordination, recurring physical ailments, and chronic pain may be present to such a degree that certification for commercial driving is inadvisable. Medications taken to relieve these disorders, such as pain relievers, tranquilizers, and mood elevators, may produce side effects which would also preclude commercial licensing. Color blind applicants may qualify for both interstate and intrastate commercial driving if the examining doctor determines they are able to distinguish the traffic light colors of red, green, and amber, even if perceived in shades of gray.

Restrictions may not transport passengers or hazardous materials requiring placards, or limited to intrastate commercial driving only are not applied if the doctor determines the driver meets the color vision standard. Hearing They can first perceive a forced whispered voice at not less than five ft in their better ear with or without the use of a hearing aid. If tested with an audiometric device, they do not have an average hearing loss greater than 40 decibels at Hz, 1, Hz, and 2, Hz in the better ear with or without a hearing aid.

Applicants who have a hearing loss in both ears that cannot be corrected to the federal requirements do not qualify for an interstate license, but may qualify for a restricted intrastate license may not transport passengers or hazardous materials requiring placards , if a driving test shows adequate compensation for the deficit.