Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

So now in Florida, you have to have a Class A,B, or C drivers license to drive a 3/4 ton or larger truck ??? WTF ??? For those who don't know, in Florida, Class E and D are standard licenses, Class A,B, or C are commercial heavy truck license. They now are ticketing drivers of 3/4 ton and larger and large SUV's if you don't have a Class A licences or better. So now all the soccer mom's in the Excursions are Semi Drivers also so watch out !!!! Dave

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

I hadn't heard about this change.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Supposivley it's not a change. The law states, I beleive, any vehicle with a GVW of over 8000 lbs. you have to have a Class A,B, or C license to drive it. They are just now starting to enforce it. So what about all the motor homes? Dave

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

If they start pulling over those well heeled Floridians with the half million dollar motor homes, I'm sure a lot of our law makers will be getting phone calls. If they only pull us hardworking guys that need a truck to make a living, they won't hear crap! :mad:

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Wardey is correct, there was an article in the orlando sentinel the other day about it. Supposedly, it's just a written test and $20 to upgrade to a class C and there is also a bill in front of the FL Leg. to repeal this law. I going to stop 1 day at the DMV and ask about it.
MD

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

motor homes DO require a special liscence in most if not all states . Some people just don't know it . It is a class (what ever) , "non" -comercial liscence .

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Wardey is correct about the requirements. A friend of ChrisK got stopped and tagged for driving a 1 ton Ford without having the proper class license. Got tagged and told that he would be arrested if he tried to drive it off. He had to get somebody else to drive the truck home. Its not a new law there, they are now just enforceing it more. When I transfered my license over from PA, it was given a Class D rating. This allows me to opperate a vehicle up to 26000 lbs gvw.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

I called the driver's license office to ask about it. Of course, you can't speak to a person, only a recorded message. :mad:

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Yeah, and when you go in person, expect to wait about 4 hours in line.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

322.53 (2) The following persons are exempt from the requirement to obtain a commercial driver's license:

(a) Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles.

(b) Military personnel driving military vehicles.

(c) Farmers transporting farm supplies or farm machinery within 150 miles of their farm, or transporting agricultural products to or from the first place of storage or processing or directly to or from market, within 150 miles of their farm.

(d) Drivers of recreational vehicles, as defined in s. 320.01.

(e) Drivers who operate straight trucks, as defined in s. 316.003, that are exclusively transporting their own tangible personal property which is not for sale.

(f) An employee of a publicly owned transit system who is limited to moving vehicles for maintenance or parking purposes exclusively within the restricted-access confines of a transit system's property.



322.54 (d) Any person, except a person who possesses a valid Class A, valid Class B, or valid Class C driver's license, who drives 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 which has a width of more than 80 inches must possess a valid Class D driver's license. Any person who possesses a valid Class D driver's license may, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements, drive any type of motor vehicle, other than the type of motor vehicle for which a Class A, Class B, or Class C driver's license is required, within this state.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

That depends on what city you are in. In Orlando, I dropped one of my guys off to renew his license, and picked him up 3.5 hours later. :mad:

But in Dixie County, we walked in and Deb immediately got hers renewed, the longest wait was for the picture to develope. :)

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

When I moved here from OHIO they gave me a Class D I did not ask or know anything about this. I did here it on the radio the other day one of the disc jockeys got a ticket in his hummer. Why did I get a D and others have the other classes?

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

These are from the States License site so as long as you have a D you can drive a 3/4 or 1 ton right?



CLASS A: Any Tractor/Trailer combination that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 LBS.

CLASS B: Any single motor vehicle that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 LBS. or less.

CLASS C: Any motor vehicle that has an actual weight, declared weight or GVWR of less than 26,001 LBS. when endorsements "H" or "P" would be required on the driver license OR any combination of motor vehicles where the towing vehicle is less than 26,001 LBS. GVWR and the towed vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 LBS. or less, but together they weigh 26,001 LBS. or more.


Back

NonCommercial Driver Licenses
CLASS D: Any truck or truck tractor that has an actual weight, declared weight, or GVWR of 8,000 LBS or more but less than than 26,001 LBS. or is more than 80 inches wide.


A resident who holds a valid Florida chauffeur license may continue to operate vehicles for which a CLASS D driver license is required until the chauffeur license expires. This includes farmers and emergency vehicle operators who are exempt.
CLASS E: Motor vehicles less than 8,000 LBS.

A resident who holds a valid Florida operator license may continue to operate vehicles for which a CLASS E driver license is required, until the operator license expires

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Thanks Andrew. Just another way to squeeze a buck out of ya. The Florida State Police said they were not going to ticket anyone for this but it was up to each jurisdiction to decide. Dave Warden

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

like jason said earlier...a friend of mine got nailed for this one... I "technically" need one, but my truck is registered as 7999lbs... so it is under, Just...

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

So, its sounds like I need to upgrade from E to D, any one have the test, do you take it at dmv , how much is the upgrade.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Lets not forget the dealers are at fault too. I for one would go back to have them buy my truck back. They sent you out the door illegaly. I'm sure they for one are going to push this legislation through. I would think their liabel.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

I think you are missing the section 322.53 (e) about "Straight Trucks" that transport tangable property that is not for sale being exempt.

322.53 (2) The following persons are exempt from the requirement to obtain a commercial driver's license:

322.53 (2) (d) Drivers of recreational vehicles, as defined in s. 320.01.

322.53 (2) (e) Drivers who operate straight trucks, as defined in s. 316.003, that are exclusively transporting their own tangible personal property which is not for sale.

322.53 (5) A resident who is exempt from obtaining a commercial driver's license pursuant to paragraph (2)(b), paragraph (2)(d), paragraph (2)(e), or paragraph (2)(f) may drive a commercial motor vehicle pursuant to the exemption granted in paragraph (2)(b), paragraph (2)(d), paragraph (2)(e), or paragraph (2)(f) if he or she possesses a valid Class D or Class E driver's license or a military license.

322.01 (8) "Commercial motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle or motor vehicle combination used on the streets or highways, which:

(a) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more;

(b) Has a declared weight of 26,001 pounds or more;

(c) Has an actual weight of 26,001 pounds or more;

(d) Is designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver; or

(e) Is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with Title 49 C.F.R. part 172, subpart F.


316.003 (70) STRAIGHT TRUCK.--Any truck on which the cargo unit and the motive power unit are located on the same frame so as to form a single, rigid unit.

320.01 (b) A recreational vehicle-type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, which either has its own motive power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle. Recreational vehicle-type units, when traveling on the public roadways of this state, must comply with the length and width provisions of s. 316.515, as that section may hereafter be amended. As defined below, the basic entities are:

320.01 (b) (1.) The "travel trailer," which is a vehicular portable unit, mounted on wheels, of such a size or weight as not to require special highway movement permits when drawn by a motorized vehicle. It is primarily designed and constructed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use. It has a body width of no more than 81/2 feet and an overall body length of no more than 40 feet when factory-equipped for the road.

320.01 (b) (2.) The "camping trailer," which is a vehicular portable unit mounted on wheels and constructed with collapsible partial sidewalls which fold for towing by another vehicle and unfold at the campsite to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use.

320.01 (b) (3.) The "truck camper," which is a truck equipped with a portable unit designed to be loaded onto, or affixed to, the bed or chassis of the truck and constructed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use.

320.01 (b) (4.) The "motor home," which is a vehicular unit which does not exceed the length, height, and width limitations provided in s. 316.515, is a self-propelled motor vehicle, and is primarily designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use.

320.01 (b) (5.) The "private motor coach," which is a vehicular unit which does not exceed the length, width, and height limitations provided in s. 316.515(9), is built on a self-propelled bus type chassis having no fewer than three load-bearing axles, and is primarily designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use.

320.01 (b) (6.) The "van conversion," which is a vehicular unit which does not exceed the length and width limitations provided in s. 316.515, is built on a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis, and is designed for recreation, camping, and travel use.

320.01 (b) (8.) The "fifth-wheel trailer," which is a vehicular unit mounted on wheels, designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, of such size or weight as not to require a special highway movement permit, of gross trailer area not to exceed 400 square feet in the setup mode, and designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle that contains a towing mechanism that is mounted above or forward of the tow vehicle's rear axle.



But what do I know?..........probably not enough. I do know that most agencies have a problem reading the statutes.......the key is in the definitions and exemptions.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

What about people coming into Fla. with a License from another state? How are they
classed?

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

The "Commander" of the Florida State Police has issued a memorandum to all state troopers to stop enforcement of this particular law.

It is expected to be deleted after the first of the year.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

For the sake of this conversation, I don't see anywhere that you are required to have a class D for any straight truck (personal use), any recreational vehicle, or any SUV or combination. The first two appear as exemptions and the SUV is not covered by a Class D license as it pertains directly to "Truck or Truck Tractor" by definition.

Nor do I see anywhere that when you are towing a personal trailer (boat) with a "straight truck" do you need a Class D as covered in 322.53 (5) exemption by definition of "commercial vehicle" in 322.01 (8). I believe this is also where you get the right to drive a u-haul box (straight truck) without having a special license if you are hauling tanagable items not for sale.

In answer to the out of state drivers, I believe the 322.53 (d) and (e) state "drivers" so their permission would come from that definition.

However, I believe Formula is correct in the soon to be deleted Class D as in Senate Bill sb1526c2 because there is some confusion/conflict between the statute of 8K GVW and less than 26K GVW.

While exemptions apply to "commercial vehicles" as defined you will notice that they are vehicles or combinations over 26K GVW in 322.01.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Now are they ramdomly pulling poeple over in these type of trucks, for no reason but to do a DL check? If so wouldn't that be harrasment if you did have the license for it(I run a class A) so not worried just the pain to pull over and be checked and set free for the FLhp.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

I believe they must have probable cause (PC) to pull anyone over for anything. However, there could be a loose definition to that depending on the law enforcement agency.

Again, I have never seen or heard of anyone being ticketed for a personal vehicle regardless of GVW because as you can see there are plenty of exemptions the apply.

I'm Class A as well. We are held to a much higher standard but I guess that comes with the territory.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Yep that class A is a little higher in standards, and punishment as well.

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Quick question were are the Department of Licencing office at? I am in St. Pete and need to transfer my class A over to an FL from WA. I dont want to drive an hour but dont want to stand in line for 4 hours. Rag's

Re: Florida Class A,B,C License ?
 

Pinellas County Offices:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/offices/pinellas.html