Pursuant to 49 CFR § 383.93, all commercial drivers who drive certain types of vehicles or haul certain types of cargo must have the appropriate endorsements on their CDL licenses to show that they have the additional specialized knowledge required for these operations.
In addition to endorsements, there are a variety of restrictions that can be placed on a CLP or CDL.
CDL Endorsements
There are five kinds of CDL endorsements that may be required, depending on the vehicle or type of cargo:
Required on the CDL of any driver, regardless of the class of vehicle, who wishes to haul hazardous material or hazardous waste in amounts requiring placarding under DOT regulations. The driver must pass the HAZMAT written exam to add the “H” endorsement to their CDL. Customers holding only a class “R” license who wish to transport hazardous materials in amounts requiring placards must take the CDL drive skills test in a representative vehicle, in addition to the written exam, to obtain, at a minimum, a Class C CDL. The HAZMAT endorsement can be added to a Class A, B, or C CDL.
If applying for the "H" endorsement for the first time, the driver must take the appropriate Entry-Level Driving Training (ELDT) course to add the endorsement to their CDL.
Drivers applying for a new, renewal, or out-of-state transfer for an “H” or “X” endorsement must also pass a background check before adding the “H” or “X” endorsement. This includes drivers who dropped their “H” or “X” by request (no grace period), drivers whose license has expired for more than one year, or who are reinstating from a restraint action that requires the issuance of a new license, and want the “H” or “X” back on their CDL.
For information on the background check, see the TSA HAZMAT Endorsement website here.
Required on the CDL if the driver hauls liquids or liquefied gases in bulk (1,000 gallons or more). The driver must pass the tanker written exam to add the "N" endorsement to their CDL. This endorsement can be added to a Class A, B, or C CDL.
NOTE: Cement mixers do NOT require the tanker endorsement.
If the driver already possesses a CDL and wants to add the "P" endorsement, he/she must pass the passenger written exam and purchase an instruction permit with the endorsement before taking the driving skills testing in a passenger vehicle.
Required on the CDL if the driver wishes to transport 16 or more passengers, which includes the driver. The driver must pass the passenger written exam, Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT), and pass a full drive skills test in a passenger vehicle to add the "P" endorsement to their CDL. This endorsement can be added to a Class A, B, or C CDL.
NOTE: If the driver takes their drive skills test in a class B passenger vehicle and is issued a CDL license class B with P endorsement, this driver is also qualified to drive other vehicles in the class B category. However, a driver who completes a drive skills test in a non-passenger class B vehicle CANNOT drive a passenger vehicle/bus.
Required on the CDL if the driver wishes to operate a school bus used to transport students to/from home/school or to/from school-sponsored events. The driver must pass the school bus written exam, Entry Level Driving Test (ELDT), and pass a full drive skills test in a school bus to add the “S” endorsement. The driver must either possess a CDL with a “P” endorsement and permit with “S” endorsement or permit with both “P” and “S” endorsements before taking the full drive skills test in a school bus. The “S” endorsement will not stand alone – it requires a “P” endorsement. This endorsement can be added to a Class A (with an M restriction), Class B, or a Class C (with N restriction) CDL.
Required on the CDL if the driver tows two or three trailers of 10,001 pounds or more GCWR. The driver must pass the doubles/triples written exam to add the "T" endorsement to their CDL. This endorsement can only be added to a Class A CDL.
CDL Restrictions
This restriction is placed on an individual's CDL if the vehicle in which the CDL skills test was taken has an automatic transmission. To remove the manual transmission restriction, the driver needs to get a Commercial Learner's Permit and take the drive skills test in a manual transmission vehicle of the same class as their existing CDL.
Applies to CDL drivers who are authorized to operate only within the state of Colorado.
The “K” restriction is required:
- For all CDL drivers between the ages of 18 and 21.
- If a CDL driver cannot meet the requirements for the DOT medical (part 391, FMCSA) and has a waiver issued by the Colorado State Patrol.
- If an FMCSA exemption only allows for intrastate commerce.
- If the CDL driver self-certifies to Non-Excepted Intrastate Driving (option C) or Excepted Intrastate Driving (option D).
- If a driver surrenders an out-of-state license that has the “K” restriction on it and one of the four requirements above is not present, the “K” restriction does not transfer over to the Colorado CDL.
If a driver is tested in a commercial vehicle that does not have air brakes, a restriction will be placed on the driver's CDL showing that they are not qualified to operate vehicles with air brakes. To remove this restriction from a CDL license, the driver must pass the air brakes written exam, purchase a CDL permit with the restriction removed, pass a full driving skills test in a vehicle equipped with air brakes, and purchase a new CDL. All normal fees apply.
This restriction is placed on an individual's Commercial Learning Permit (CLP) or CDL. The restriction allows the individual to only drive a Class B or Class C passenger vehicle (bus).
This restriction is placed on an individual's CLP or CDL. The restriction allows the individual to only drive a Class C passenger vehicle (bus).
This restriction is placed on an individual's Class A CDL if the vehicle that the CDL skills test was taken in was not a traditional tractor-trailer (a.k.a. semi) and did not have a fifth-wheel coupling system. To remove this restriction, the driver needs to get a Commercial Learner's Permit and take the driving skills test in a vehicle of the appropriate class and type.
This restriction is placed on an individual's CLP if they have a passenger endorsement. It restricts the individual from operating a bus with passengers other than the CDL trainer/tester and other CLP students.
This restriction is placed on an individual's CLP or CDL if they have an approved Skills Performance Evaluation (SPE) waiver from FMCSA.
This restriction is placed on an individual's CLP if they have the N (Tanker) endorsement. It restricts the individual from operating a tank vehicle that has any gas or liquid in it.
This restriction is placed on an individual's CDL if the vehicle in which the CDL Skills test was taken did not have a full air braking system.