Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety ProgramEndorsements

Section § 15275

Explanation

If you want to drive a commercial vehicle, you need to have the right type of commercial driver's license and any necessary endorsements, unless you're exempt. To get an endorsement, you have to pass tests and meet certain federal standards.

If you're seeking an endorsement for transporting hazardous materials, you need to meet additional federal requirements. The Department of Motor Vehicles can deny or take away your endorsement if you don't meet these qualifications.

If your hazardous materials endorsement is denied because you're considered a security threat, and you're later cleared by federal authorities, the DMV must give your endorsement back in line with federal rules.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 15275(a) A person may not operate a commercial motor vehicle described in this chapter unless that person has in his or her possession a valid commercial driver’s license for the appropriate class, and an endorsement issued by the department to permit the operation of the vehicle unless exempt from the requirement to obtain an endorsement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 15278.
(b)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 15275(b)
(1)Copy CA Vehicle Code § 15275(b)(1) An endorsement to drive vehicles specified in this article shall be issued only to applicants who are qualified by examinations prescribed by the department and who meet the minimum standards established in Part 383 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 15275(b)(2) A hazardous materials endorsement shall be issued only to applicants who comply with paragraph (1) and the requirements set forth in Part 1572 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 15275(c) The department may deny, suspend, revoke, or cancel an endorsement to drive vehicles specified in this article when the applicant does not meet the qualifications for the issuance or retention of the endorsement.
(d)CA Vehicle Code § 15275(d) If the department denies, suspends, revokes, or cancels a hazardous materials endorsement because the department received notification that the applicant poses a security threat pursuant to Part 1572 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and, upon appeal by the United States Transportation Security Administration, that endorsement is ordered reinstated, the department shall issue or restore the hazardous materials endorsement to the applicant within the period specified under those federal regulations.
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Section § 15275.1

Explanation

This law states that to drive a school bus, a person generally needs a valid commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement and a schoolbus driver’s certificate. However, if someone is a mechanic or a trainee, they can drive a school bus without the certificate only if no students are on board.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 15275.1(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), a schoolbus endorsement is valid only when the operator possesses or qualifies for a valid commercial driver’s license with a passenger endorsement and possesses a schoolbus driver’s certificate issued pursuant to Section 12517.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 15275.1(b) A schoolbus endorsement is valid without a schoolbus driver’s certificate for an operator who is employed as a mechanic or a schoolbus driver-trainee if the schoolbus endorsement is restricted to operating a schoolbus when there is no pupil being transported.
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Section § 15278

Explanation

To drive certain types of commercial vehicles in California, you need an official endorsement from the department. This applies to driving a double trailer, passenger transport vehicles like buses or farm labor vehicles, school buses, tank vehicles, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials that need placards. However, if you're in an emergency and a peace officer directs you, you don't need this endorsement then. Some agricultural vehicles and those not requiring a driver's license are exempt too.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 15278(a) A driver is required to obtain an endorsement issued by the department to operate any commercial motor vehicle that is any of the following:
(1)CA Vehicle Code § 15278(a)(1) A double trailer.
(2)CA Vehicle Code § 15278(a)(2) A passenger transportation vehicle, which includes, but is not limited to, a bus, farm labor vehicle, or general public paratransit vehicle when designed, used, or maintained to carry more than 10 persons including the driver.
(3)CA Vehicle Code § 15278(a)(3) A schoolbus.
(4)CA Vehicle Code § 15278(a)(4) A tank vehicle.
(5)CA Vehicle Code § 15278(a)(5) A vehicle carrying hazardous materials, as defined in Section 353, that is required to display placards pursuant to Section 27903, unless the driver is exempt from the endorsement requirement as provided in subdivision (b). This paragraph does not apply to any person operating an implement of husbandry who is not required to obtain a driver’s license under this code.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 15278(b) This section does not apply to any person operating a vehicle in an emergency situation at the direction of a peace officer pursuant to Section 2800.
commercial vehicle endorsement double trailer passenger transportation vehicle ...