Feb 14, 2024

Navigating CDL Types and Requirements in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide

For those who drive for a living, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may be a necessity for their career, but a CDL is not one specific license. There are different types based upon classifications, loads, and requirements, all of which carry different concerns for a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver. You may have been in an accident with a CMV being operated by a CDL holder (which is basically a professional who drives all day), and now you feel you need a car accident lawyer to help you navigate the aftermath. By the way, many times someone with a CDL is making an injury claim because of another 18-wheeler that was negligence on the highway.

When navigating CDL types and requirements in Florida, you may feel that you need a comprehensive guide but the main focus for a commercial truck accident victim is focusing on injuries and evidence gathering. Either way, here’s a general idea of what you need to know about a CDL.

Photo of a Man Driving a Car

What Is a CDL?

A commercial driver’s license is a special type of license that shows the holder to have a certification to drive larger vehicles based mostly upon size and weight. This includes any vehicle larger than a personal vehicle, such as tractor-trailers, dump trucks, garbage trucks, sewage trucks, buses, heavy equipment, and specific types of cargo for 18-wheelers. 

These classifications indicate that the professional driver completed the correct training and passed all tests – written and on the roads – necessary to safely drive certain types of commercial vehicles. These may be required depending on the specifics of the job. For example, someone who drives a bus may need a specific license (commonly known as a CLASS B or CLASS C license depending on the amount of passengers and weight of the vehicle), while someone who hauls dangerous cargo such as flammables will have different requirements (likely a CLASS A under Florida nomenclature).

CDL Classifications 

Determining the classifications someone would need for a CDL is key, especially to ensure they’re properly licensed and up-to-date on licenses for your job.

I PREFER TO CITE TO WEBSITE FROM FL DMV EXPLAINING IT…

https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/commercial-motor-vehicle-drivers/commercial-driver-license/

Personal Injury Laws That May Impact CDL Holders 

A CDL can help drivers make an honest and profitable living. However, crashes happen daily, and victims to their negligence can have options to protect their livelihood. 

If you are involved in a personal injury claim as a CDL holder, it can impact your CDL even when you are a victim of someone else’s negligence. Because of this, it’s vital you know the state laws that may impact you and what you can do to protect your license when involved in a Florida accident.

Need Help with Commercial Vehicle Crash? Contact Us 

The attorneys at Nuñez Law are here to help when you have a personal injury case involving a commercial vehicle. We have the tools to guide our clients through their cases and maximize the compensation they deserve. This starts with a free consultation about your claim when you call or fill out our online contact form. Remember that at AccidentLawFirm.com, Our 5-Star Reviews Are No Accident.