We often get asked whether a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required when operating a truck with air brakes. In short, a CDL is not always necessary, but some factors could make it a requirement.
Since this can get confusing, we’re here to make sense of it for you.
To start, vehicles with air brakes differ from vehicles with hydraulic braking systems in that they use compressed air instead of brake fluid to stop. Because of this, you may need additional skills or knowledge to understand the air brake components, depending on the specific kind of vehicle you’re operating.
You do not need a CDL if you’re driving a truck with air brakes unless:
- Your vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs or more
- Your vehicle has a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs or more
- Your vehicle is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver)
- Your vehicle hauls hazardous materials that require hazmat placards
Therefore, if you’re operating a truck with air brakes and a GVWR of 26,000 lbs or less, a CDL is not required.
That said, if your commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with air brakes falls into one of the categories above and requires a CDL, two restrictions could be placed on your license that prohibit you from driving it.
- L Restriction: When you don’t pass the air brakes portion of the CDL written exam, or skills test, or perform the skills component of the CDL test in a vehicle without air brakes.
- Z Restriction: When you perform the skills component of the CDL test using a vehicle with only a partial air braking system
To remove these restrictions from your CDL, you must pass all elements of the test related to air brakes.
It’s important to note that there are other circumstances in which you may need to obtain a CDL, but none of the regulations specifically apply to vehicles with air brakes or even reference air brakes for that matter.
A CDL is required for the following kinds of vehicles:
- Combination vehicle (Group A): Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is more than 10,000 pounds.
- Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B): Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle, not above 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Small Vehicle (Group C): Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of Group A nor Group B, but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or used in the transportation of materials addressed in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, which must meet Hazardous Materials Regulations.
Still not sure if you need a CDL? Contact Donahue Truck Centers to learn more about the regulations that pertain to your fleet and help ensure your compliance with all the rules of the road. Or schedule an appointment today! Click for appointment
