§ 1610. Commercial driver's license.

868 words·~4 min read·/pa/title-75/chapter-16/1610

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(a)Content of license.-- The commercial driver's license shall indicate "commercial driver's license" or "CDL" and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

(1)The name and residential address of the person.

(2)The person's color photograph or photographic facsimile.

(3)A physical description of the person, including sex, height and eye color.

(4)Date of birth.

(5)The license number assigned by the department.

(6)The person's signature or a facsimile of that signature.

(7)The class or type of commercial motor vehicle or vehicles which the person is authorized to drive, together with any endorsements or restrictions.

(b)Classifications, endorsements and restrictions.--

(1)Commercial drivers' licenses may be issued with the following classifications, endorsements and restrictions. The holder of a valid commercial driver's license may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued and all lesser classes of vehicles except motorcycles. Vehicles requiring an endorsement may not be driven unless the proper endorsement appears on the license.

(2)The following codes shall be used as required to describe the commercial driver's license endorsements. Additional endorsements may be added by regulation for use on the commercial driver's license:

A - (Deleted by amendment).

G - (Deleted by amendment).

H - Authorizes the driver to operate a vehicle transporting hazardous materials.

L - (Deleted by amendment).

N - Authorizes driving tank vehicles.

P - Authorizes driving vehicles carrying passengers.

Q - (Deleted by amendment).

S - Authorizes the driver to operate a school bus.

T - Authorizes driving double and triple trailers.

V - (Deleted by amendment).

X - Represents a combination of hazardous materials and tank vehicle endorsements.

Y - (Deleted by amendment).

(3)The following codes shall be used as required to describe the commercial driver's license restrictions. Additional restrictions may be added by regulation for use on the commercial driver's license:

A - Restricts the driver to driving under 49 CFR § 391.62(c) (relating to limited exemptions for intra-city zone drivers).

E - Prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.

G - Indicates qualification under 49 CFR § 391.62(e).

K - Restricts driver to intrastate driving.

L - Prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle equipped with air brakes.

M - Prohibits driving a Class A passenger vehicle.

N - Prohibits driving a Class A or Class B passenger vehicle.

O - Prohibits driving a truck tractor-trailer combination.

P - Prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle bus containing passengers.

Q - Requires the driver to wear corrective lenses.

V - Indicates that the driver has been issued a medical variance.

X - Prohibits tank vehicles from carrying cargo.

Y - Requires the driver to wear a hearing aid.

Z - Prohibits driving a commercial motor vehicle with full air brakes.

(4)A hazardous materials (code H) endorsement shall not be required for a driver with a Class A commercial driver's license who is operating a commercial motor vehicle in accordance with 49 CFR § 383.3(i) (relating to applicability).

(c)Applicant record check.--

(1)Before issuing, renewing, upgrading or transferring a commercial driver's license, the department shall obtain driving record information through the Commercial Driver's License Information System, the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and the National Driver Register.

(2)Before issuing a commercial driver's license with an "H" or "X" endorsement, the department must have received notification from the United States Secretary of Transportation that the individual does not pose a security risk warranting denial of the endorsement. This paragraph shall not apply until such time as regulations are published by the United States Secretary of Transportation as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act) Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56, 115 Stat. 272).

(d)Notification of license issuance.-- When the department has electronic access, but no later than March 31, 1992, the department, within ten days after issuing a commercial driver's license, shall notify the Commercial Driver's License Information System of that fact, providing all information required to ensure identification of the person.

(e)License renewal procedures.-- When applying for renewal of a commercial driver's license, the applicant must complete the application form required by section 1609(a) (relating to application for commercial driver's license), providing current and valid information and required certifications. If the applicant wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, the English version of the written test for a hazardous materials endorsement must be taken and passed.

(f)Sale of photographs prohibited.-- Neither the department nor any person under contract with the department shall sell photographs of holders of a commercial driver's license for any commercial purpose.

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(June 26, 2001, P.L.734, No.75, eff. 60 days; Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1278, No.152, eff. 60 days; Jan. 27, 2012, P.L.1, No.1, eff. imd.; Oct. 22, 2015, P.L.199, No.49, eff. 60 days; Nov. 4, 2016, P.L.1277, No.165, eff. imd.; July 11, 2022, P.L.1585, No.90, eff. 60 days)

2022 Amendment. Act 90 amended subsec. (c)(1).

2016 Amendment. Act 165 added subsec. (b)(4).

2015 Amendment . Act 49 amended subsec. (b)(2) and added subsec. (b)(3).

2002 Amendment. Act 152 amended subsec. (c).

2001 Amendment. Act 75 added subsec. (f).

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