State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: Driver Manual

Class A: License is necessary for the operation of tractor trailers or any truck or trailer with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. The Class A license also allows the motorist to operate all vehicles in the class B, C and D categories, provided the motorist has qualified for all the proper extra endorsements.

Class B: License is necessary for the operation of any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more:

* A vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more towing a trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds

* A bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more designed

to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver

* A Class B license allows the motorist to operate all vehicles in the Class C and D categories, provided the motorist has qualified for all the proper extra endorsements.

Class C: License is necessary for any vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, used and placarded to transport hazardous material:

* Any bus, including school buses, designed to carry 16 passengers or more, including the motorist, and with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds and all school vehicles designed for 15 passengers or fewer, including the motorist

* Any bus or other vehicle designed to transport 8 to 15 passengers, including the motorist, which is used for hire

Commercial Driver Exemptions

Taxi drivers, ride-sharing van drivers, funeral procession drivers, operators of rescue, first-aid squad or firefighter apparatus, farmers hauling their own products and equipment within 150 miles of their farms, non-civilian operators of military equipment and operators of construction equipment not designed for operation on public roads are exempt and need not apply for a commercial driver license. Operators of recreational vehicles are also exempt, provided the vehicle is being operated only for personal use. (N.J.S.A. 39:3-10k, 39:3-10.11)

Commercial License Endorsements

Most commercial drivers will need to obtain at least one special endorsement. An example of an endorsement on a commercial license is “H” for hazardous materials, which means that the motorist may legally transport hazardous materials.

Code/Vehicle/Endorsement/Special Requirement

T/Double and Triple Trailer/Needed by operators of vehicles pulling two or three trailers/Requires a knowledge test. Class A license required to operate this type of vehicle

P/Passenger/Needed by operators of buses or similar vehicles used to transport passengers/Requires a road test. Other special requirements are necessary (see CDL Manual)

S/School Bus/Needed by all school bus drivers/Requires a knowledge and road test. Motorists who hold an “S” endorsement will also have to test for a “P” endorsement. Both are required to operate a school bus

N/Tanker Vehicle/Needed by operators of vehicles used to transport liquids or gas in bulk/Requires a knowledge test

H/Hazardous materials/Needed by operators of vehicles used to transport hazardous materials/Requires a knowledge test and may require a road test. Must be trained and retested every two years. See the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for requirements (www.fmcsa.dot.gov)

Commercial License Restrictions

Numbered restrictions, such as corrective lenses, are noted on all commercial licenses. An example of a special restriction on a commercial license is “L” for air brakes. This means the motorist may not operate a vehicle equipped with air brakes, if designated on the license.

Commercial Driver Manual

For more information on commercial motor vehicle licensing, refer to the MVC’s Commercial Driver Manual. All CDL tests are based on information contained in the manual. To get a copy, visit any MVC agency or regional service center or view/request it online at www.njmvc.gov. Manuals may also be obtained by calling (888) 486-3339 toll-free in New Jersey or (609) 292-6500 from out of state.

6 Point ID Verification

Applicants for a New Jersey driver license must have all required documents to satisfy 6 Point ID Verification at all times. Please review these requirements thoroughly before visiting an MVC Agency or Testing Center.

Vision Test

A vision screening is required for all motorists. The MVC may refer applicants with impaired vision to a physician. Minimum requirements:

* 20/50 vision with or without corrective lenses.

* For sight in one eye only, that eye must meet the 20/50 rule and the applicant must have documentation signed by a licensed physician.

* CDL license applicants must have 20/40 vision with or without corrective lenses in both eyes. Must be able to distinguish among red, green and amber lights.

Knowledge Test

The knowledge test consists of 50 questions, plus a survey question about organ donation. Minimum requirements: 80 percent, or 40 correct answers out of 50 questions.

For non-English-speaking applicants, MVC offers the knowledge test in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. If the applicant cannot read in any language, an oral test that is conducted in English or Spanish may be arranged. If the applicant is unable to take an oral or written test in the languages provided or if he/she is hearing impaired, he/she may use an MVC-approved interpreter, according to the following guidelines.

Health Questions

Applicants are required to inform the examiner of any serious health problems. In certain cases, a medical review may be necessary. The examiner will discuss this with the applicant. Under federal law, commercial drivers must carry a medical examiner’s fitness statement and have it renewed every two years. For health questions regarding licensed drivers, please see Medical Review.

Applicants who wish to transfer a valid out-of-state license may be required to take the knowledge test, vision screening and/or road test.

* Out-of-state applicants between 17 and 18 years of age who possess a valid out-of-state license will be given a provisional license for a period of one year and must comply with GDL requirements and restrictions.

* All out-of-country applicants must pass the knowledge test and a vision screening and may be required to pass a road test. Test results are valid for two years.

* Applicants from U.S. possessions and territories are considered out of country.

An approved foreign language interpreter is:

* A full-time faculty member of a college or university in the United States , who displays a current identification card issued by that college or university

* A priest, minister, rabbi or other religious leader of a recognized organization, who displays credentials showing his/her association in such an organization

* An individual with an interpreter identification card issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Language Services

An approved hearing-impaired interpreter is:

* An interpreter certified by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and listed with the New Jersey Division of the Deaf

* An interpreter who has been evaluated by the Division of the Deaf and is on the approved list of professional interpreters

The MVC will pay the interpreter fees for hearing-impaired applicants. Contact any Driver Testing Center for more information about approved interpreters or fee payments.