The federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate a commercial vehicle. Obtaining a CDL is more challenging than getting a non-CDL driver’s license. More in-depth skills and knowledge tests are required, as well as specific training, health screening, and background checks.
Here’s an overview of the three types or classes of commercial driver’s licenses available in Portland, Oregon, and the endorsements CDL holders can receive.
There are three classes or types of commercial driver’s licenses in Oregon. You can learn more about the specifics of each type and requirements in the Oregon Commercial Driver Manual.
This class allows you to operate vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of more than 26,000 pounds. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the towed vehicle can exceed 10,000 pounds.
Common vehicles requiring a Class A commercial driver’s license include semi-tractor trailers, flatbed trucks, tanker trucks, and livestock carriers.
This class allows you to operate one or a combination of vehicles with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds for any single vehicle. The towed or pulled vehicle cannot exceed 10,000 pounds.
A Class B commercial driver’s license allows you to operate city buses, commercial box trucks or tractor-trailers, large passenger buses, garbage trucks, and other vehicles.
This class allows you to operate any single or combination of vehicles used to transport hazardous materials or 16 or more passengers.
A Class C commercial driver’s license allows you to operate small HAZMAT trucks, passenger vans, and any other commercial vehicle that does not require a Class A or B CDL.
Certain types of vehicles or cargo require a separate endorsement. Each endorsement requires additional training or meeting certain requirements.
The most common CDL endorsements include:
A CDL license may also have restrictions. For example, a CDL K restriction allows intrastate travel only.
There is a long list of requirements to meet to earn a commercial driver’s license in Oregon.
Basic CDL qualifications include:
As of February 2022, you must also complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-certified program to obtain a Class A or B CDL. The ELDT program is also required to upgrade a Class B to a Class A license or get a passenger, hazardous materials, or school bus endorsement.
Your CDL license will be suspended automatically for certain offenses, such as driving under the influence or leaving the scene of a crash, even if you were not driving a commercial vehicle at the time.
This is only a basic overview of the requirements to obtain a CDL in Oregon. There are strict laws designed to prevent serious truck accidents by mandating training, maintenance, driving limits, and oversight. Despite this, undertraining and overworking remain common in the trucking industry.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident in Portland, call Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. A Portland truck accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and the next steps to take to pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you were injured in an accident in Portland, OR, please contact our Portland truck accident lawyers at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve all throughout Multnomah County in Oregon. Visit our office at:
Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905
Portland, OR, 97204
(503) 773-3333
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