State of Florida Class D license

[rweis]

Apparently 1 Florida Highway Patrolman stopped 1, 1 ton truck to check the license of the driver and issued a citation because:



Florida Drivers Handbook, p 81, chapter 6 Class D License.



Anyone who operates a truck or a truck tractor having , a gross vehicle weight rating, a declared weight, or an actual weight, whichever is greatest of 8,000 pounds or more but less than 26,001 pounds or is more than 80 inches wide.



Farmers and drivers of authorized emergency vehicles who drive commercial motor vehicles with a farm or emergency endorsement, must obtain a Class D license.



When I went to the DMV what I have to do is take the Class D written test. Apparently it is in two parts. General and specific. You have to pass part 1 before you can take part 2.



The earliest I could get the test at Lake Wales FL DMV is August 10th.



The lady at the counter said there is a moritorium on giving citations for at least 90 days, but did not know from what date.



Just a heads up.



Looks like you might check your state and see if there is a special category license to tow what ever you tow.



Bob Weis



My 2002 2x6 CTD is 93 inches wide and rated for 10,500 pounds. And YES my wife has to get the class D license as well if she drives the truck, which she does.

 

[tbrudder]

I just had to deal with this...

I just got back from the Clearwater DMV with my Class D about an hour ago. I'd overheard some of my coworkers talking about this--just caught bits of it, but it sounded like they were going to start enforcing this, even though it's been on the books forever. Could get interesting with all the huge SUVs people are driving these days--you know no one thinks about this kind of thing.



Can't tell you much about the test, as I didn't take it--just transferred my TN license over and they gave me a D when I told them I thought I needed it (she asked what kind of truck I drove). TN only has one class of license for non-commercial use (class D), but I had an F endorsement (for-hire) from my time in the rescue squad, and apparently that was enough to get me out of taking the test.



Another guy I work with had to get one a few years back--said the test had stuff about setting up reflectors and flares (in town/on highway; night/day), vehicle lighting, maximum dimensions, etc.



Several others I've talked to with big trucks had no idea about this, so I'm wondering what kicked it off all of a sudden...



--Ty

 

[mgonske]

Bob's post prompted me to go out and look at the state's web site, and then to download the handbook. I guess I'll have to follow up on this too (after I get back from my Colorado trip).

 

[Tilesetter Too]

SUV's are exempt from class D. They are considered passenger vehicles even though the are built on same frames as the HD trucks.

I thought farm and emergency drivers were specificaly exempt form class D... saw that in Sundays paper



Shawn

 

[Eric_77]

Well that is just messed up Florida has added the Class D then made it what is a Class C in other states. They need to get with USDOT and get their classes sorted out.



This is about the worst info I have ever seen on a website for what license is required for what vehicle. florida driver handbook



Here is what Mass thinks a Class D is

and another point of view on Class D West Vir



Here is what most states that have a Class D think it means and makes the most sense to me (you can go with a lesser license A can drive B,C,D; B can drive C,D and so on {M is the exception Motorcycle permit)Arizona thinks add Tennessee add Wisconsin



Here is info saying some SUV need the Class D in Florida





And of course the federal gov't only mentions the Classes A,B,C so there is absolutely no standards past that. What a crock so is a Texas Class C good in Florida for my truck? Texas only offers 4 classes A,B,C,M Texas drivers handbook

 

[AMcKee]

Hey guys,

I am a deputy sheriff in polk county FL. I researched the class D license several months back and here are the FACTS.



Florida state statute 322. 54(2)(d) does in fact state "any person, who drives a truck having a gross vehicle rating, a declared weight, or an actual weight, whichever is greatest, of 8,000 or more but less than 26,001 pounds, or which has a width of 80 inches or wider must posses a valid class D license. BUT... ...



The statute just before it, 322. 53(2)(e), reads the following persons are expemt from the requirement to obtain a commercial drivers license; subsection (e)-Drivers who operate straight trucks, as defined in 316. 003, that are exclusively transporting their own tangible property which is not for sale. (i. e. any personally used truck)



f. s. s. 316. 003(70) defines a straight truck as - Any truck on which the cargo unit and the motive power unit are located on the same frame as to form a single, rigid unit.



So fellow floridians as you can see if you are NOT required to obtain a class d license. FHP has been informed of their mistake and are no longer citing people for this violation. If any of you have been cited or have any questions please feel free to pm or call me at 863-698-3575. I may also be able to help with other legal matters, I dont have all the answers but i know where to find them.

 

[AMcKee]

typo-last paragraph should read:



So fellow Floridians as you can see you are NOT required... .

 

[XJSuperman]

SO what it boils down to is that as long as we're not selling anything or carrying for an "over the road" type job... and what we're carrying is our own stuff... we can haul, tow, etc without being cited??

Meaning if I get a travel trailer... I can tow with my truck and NOT have to get a class-D?

 

[tbrudder]

Originally posted by AMcKee

The statute just before it, 322. 53(2)(e), reads the following persons are expemt from the requirement to obtain a commercial drivers license...

Is the Class D really a commercial drivers license, though? It was my understanding that only A, B, and C were CDLs, E was the general-issue license, and D was for people operating larger vehicles but not so as to require a CDL. Hence the endorsements available for Farm and Emergency Vehicle CMVs on a Class D license?



Personally, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a class of license like this. Consider all the people who took their driving tests years ago in a little two-door econobox, and have just recently bought an Excursion or other huge SUV. The two handle nothing alike, but people get caught up in the powerful engine and 'safety' provided by their mass, and when they have to stop fast, they learn the hard way that a four-ton SUV won't stop as fast from 80 mph as a Geo would...



--Ty

 

[RustyJC]

Well, that would be interesting if Florida required a special license to drive a Dodge Ram 2500. Most states specifically exempt RVs from commercial requirements, and Texas doesn't require a special non-commercial license until 26001 lbs. I believe most states are similar, although there are exceptions (California comes to mind immediately).



Rusty

 

[y-knot]

I think it's a pretty sound ideal myself. Most people are pretty good drivers and know what they are capable of doing. They have slowly worked there way up to the current truck/trailer combination thru years of experience with similar loads and various trailer lengths. They understand the complications of towing and or hauling a heavy load. But their are also many people that have never driven a truck or tow a trailer, till they decided to retire and see the country side. Same would go for the very young, those with no or very limited experience behind a wide truck or truck/trailer combination. A dual rear wheel truck is not that difficult to drive safely, but if you are only experienced with much smaller vehicles, then it might be. Also, most DRW trucks, a purchased to haul or tow large loads. Most trailers are built to the maximum limit of 102 inches of width, this could very easily cause some a problem.

I don't think Florida is trying to force anyone into staying off the roads, or requiring them to be CDL certified. Sounds like they are just trying to make sure the operators of the wider then normal trucks are up to the task. And that they know the rules of the road . The brief re-fresher coarse they seem to be requiring seems to be in-line with those that make up the largest segment of the states population. the elderly. But at the same time, assuring that those first timer drivers, both old and new, are equipped with the knowledge it takes to safely pilot the larger trucks. Hopefully it will catch on and become a standard that is adopted by many more states.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by y-knot

I don't think Florida is trying to force anyone into staying off the roads, or requiring them to be CDL certified. Sounds like they are just trying to make sure the operators of the wider then normal trucks are up to the task.

It's not just the duallies. It's any truck over 8000 lbs GVWR OR over 80 inches wide, if the following from a preceding post is correct:

Anyone who operates a truck or a truck tractor having a gross vehicle weight rating, a declared weight, or an actual weight, whichever is greatest of 8,000 pounds or more but less than 26,001 pounds OR is more than 80 inches wide.

The way this is written, it includes a 2500 with an 8800 lb GVWR.



Rusty

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

If you Floridians (me included ) look at the back of your drivers license it shows under endorsements ,that class E is for operators of emergency vehicles, and class F is for farm equipment. Now this is where it gets supid, I can and do operate a 40 ton 105' tandum Pierce Arial platform that is over 35' long. But I cant drive my 03 CTD to the fire house to drive the dang Firetruck? Whatup wit dat?

 

[WyattEarp]

Is it just me but ONLY IN FLORIDA. Hmmm guess my class C Virginia is better than a Florida D... .

 

[AMcKee]

Superman- you are correct.



tbrudder-you bring up a good point, it is my understanding that a class d is also considered a commercial drivers license. UPS drivers and commercial vehicles of similar size are only required to have a class d license. Look at it this way if size was what dictated the class of license then how is it that some 80 year old retiree can get away with driving a 45 foot diesel motorhome with a class e only?



Rusty-you are also correct, if not for the exemption, all 2500 and larger trucks would require a class d.



Sgbarracuda- the endoresements on the back and the class of license are 2 different things. Worry not you can in fact drive that sweet ride to and fro work.



Like i said earlier I dont know everything, but i have done extensive research with some people who specialize in traffic law enforcement and they all agree that we are not required to have a class d. Once fhp got wind of this information they decided not to enforce this law on any vehicles. We are also calling for FL congress to further clarify this law when they meet next. This is the way that I and several very trusted collegues view this law. You have to understand that a law enforcement officer can enforce the law how they understand it, with in reason. So it is still possible to get cited for this, although it would get dismissed or throw out in court. Most laws are not crystal clear, its all about interpretation, and a thing we call case law (decisions judges have made on similar cases), that modify the statutes. Clear as mud? I hope this helps.



Andy