ADOPTED:  03/1999

REVISED: 09/19/2022; 09/29/2022

RESPONSIBLE OFFICE: MU Operations

University employees are required to have a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) if the employee operates a vehicle that weighs over 26,000 pounds, hauls hazardous materials, or is designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.

Licensing

Information on the application and testing process for a Commercial Driver’s License along with a PDF of the Missouri Commercial Driver License Manual can be found on the Missouri Department of Revenue website at: https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/issuance/commercial/  New applicants must complete the Entry Level Driving Training Requirement prior to taking the Written Examination and Skills Test.

Fees

Drivers are responsible for license fees. The University will not pay the CDL license fee.

Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

Drivers of commercial motor vehicles in any of the following classifications are required to take a certain test before renewing their Missouri driver’s license.

Classifications

• Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or registered gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Holders of a Class A license may also, with appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Classes B, C, and H.
• Class B: Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or a registered gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. Holders of a Class B license may also, with appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Class C.
• Class C: Any single vehicle less than 26,001 pounds gross weight rating, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. This group applies to only vehicles which are placarded for hazardous materials or designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the operator.
• Class H: The holder of a Class H license may drive a pick-up truck that has fifth wheel mounting and tow a trailer or flatbed via a gooseneck hookup or similar type combination that has a gross vehicle weight rating or registered gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds. Holders of a Class H license may also, with appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Classes B and C.

Special Conditions

The commercial driver’s license will have specific endorsements for special conditions:

• Hazardous Materials: Any vehicle required to be placarded by the Department of Transportation.
• Passenger: Any vehicle designed to carry 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Tank Vehicle: Any tank with a rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is designed to transport liquid or gaseous materials.
• Double/Triple Trailer: Any vehicle towing double or triple trailers.

Restrictions

The commercial driver’s license may also carry specific restrictions:

• Air Brake: If a driver does not take the written air brake test, a restriction to drive a vehicle without air brakes will be placed on the license. If a road test is required, the test must be taken in a vehicle equipped with air brakes.

Entry-Level Driving Training Requirement

The ELDT regulations defined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 49 CFR 380 establish minimum training requirements for entry-level commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators in interstate and intrastate commerce who are applying for:

• A Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time;
• A Class C CDL with Passenger, School Bus, or hazardous materials endorsement for the first time;
• An upgrade of their CDL (e.g., a Class B CDL holder seeking a Class A CDL); or
• A hazardous materials (H), passenger (P), or school bus (S) endorsement for the first time.

The requirements do not apply to individuals holding a valid CDL or an H, P, or S endorsement issued prior to February 7, 2022. Individuals who obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before the compliance date of February 7, 2022, are not subject to ELDT requirements as long as they obtain a CDL before the expiration date of the CLP.

Only certified providers approved by FMCSA and listed on the Training Provider Registry can provide the mandatory training. Training conducted by other entities, not listed in the registry or by providers who have since been removed from the registry will not meet the training provisions of the ELDT program for purposes of CDL issuance or upgrade.

For additional information about ELDT providers visit https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Skills Test

CDL skills testing is available to the public by appointment only at defined Missouri State Highway Patrol CDL Test Sites. CDL skills test applicants must have completed applicable knowledge testing and have held a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) a minimum of 14 days prior to skills testing.

• A University employee may use a University vehicle for the CDL road test; however, should the employee fail the first road test, the use of a University vehicle is not permitted for retesting [See also: 6:080 Use of University Vehicles.]

Traffic Violation Convictions

Any conviction for traffic violations, other than parking, occurring while operating a commercial vehicle must be reported by the staff member to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Driver’s License Bureau, Jefferson City, Missouri, and to the employee’s University supervisor within 30 days of conviction.

Where to Find More Information

Contact your supervisor or the Missouri State Highway Patrol CDL Test Sites for additional information about commercial driver’s licenses.