There are hundreds of millions of licensed drivers in the United States. However, the vast majority of those drivers can’t drive a commercial vehicle. A standard driver’s license limits the type of vehicles that you can drive.
If you want to drive a commercial vehicle like an 18-wheeler, you need to get a commercial driver’s license. The requirements for getting one of these licenses are much more involved than the requirements for getting a standard license.
Furthermore, there are several different types of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). Before you can drive any type of commercial vehicle, you need to have the right type of license.
The Purpose of Commercial Driver’s Licenses
Standard driver’s licenses are meant to prevent people from getting into car accidents. This doesn’t mean that car accidents are a thing of the past, but the licensing process does decrease the likelihood that people on the road will get into accidents.
The same reasoning exists with commercial driver’s licenses. Truck accidents are often devastating. They are more likely to result in serious injuries or death than traditional car crashes. The stricter requirements for getting a CDL are designed to decrease the number of commercial vehicle accidents that happen every year.
There are several types of licenses because different vehicles are handled in different ways. Driving a school bus is very different from driving a full tractor-trailer.
Commercial Driver’s License Requirements in Missouri
The standards for commercial driver’s licenses are partially set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). States administer the process of licensing, however. States are not allowed to grant licenses using lesser standards, but they can have increased requirements above the federal minimum.
The following are the requirements in Missouri:
- Must be 18 years old or 21 if crossing state lines
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Must have a Missouri-issued driver’s license
- Can’t have suspended driving privileges
- Must meet all FMCSA medical requirements
- Must be proficient in English
If you meet these requirements, you will start by getting a commercial learner’s permit. This permit lasts for a year, during which you will need to enroll in driver training school and pass a road test. If successful, you will get your CDL.
Classes of Commercial Driver’s Licenses
What class of CDL do you need? That depends on what type of commercial vehicle you are going to drive. The classes are:
- Class A: This license is for operating combination motor vehicles with a combined gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds and with a tow unit that weighs more than 10,000 pounds. In layman’s terms, this means you can drive a tractor-trailer.
- Class B: This license allows you to operate a non-combination vehicle that weighs more than 26,000 pounds. It can be towing something, but the towed unit must weigh less than 10,000 pounds. This typically encompasses box trucks and large buses.
- Class C: This license is for operating commercial vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds that are used to transport 16 or more passengers or to haul hazardous materials.
- Endorsements: You can also get endorsements that augment the above licenses. Endorsements can allow you to drive vehicles with multiple towed units or attached tanks. You also need an endorsement to operate a school bus or a hazmat vehicle.
When getting a commercial driver’s license, you have to decide in advance what type of license you want.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is vital for safely and legally operating commercial vehicles. There are different classes and endorsements, so it’s important to choose the right one based on the type of vehicle you intend to drive. These stricter licensing standards help reduce the risk of accidents, especially with larger vehicles like trucks and buses.
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a commercial vehicle, a personal injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help ensure you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Contact our St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers from Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO, today. We have two convenient locations in Missouri, including St. Louis and Richmond Heights.
We proudly serve St. Louis County and its surrounding areas.
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
10 S Broadway #560
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 932-1066
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Richmond Heights Office
1034 S Brentwood Blvd Penthouse 1-C
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
(314) 463-4173