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1. When do I need a commercial driver's license (CDL)

If you drive a vehicle or vehicles that meets the following definition, a CDL is required (49 CFR §383.5):

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle is a:

• Combination Vehicle (Group A) - having a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, whichever is greater; or 
• Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B) - having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or 
• Small Vehicle (Group C) that does not meet Group A or B requirements but that either - 
  • Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or 
  • Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in this section.

Simply stated:

1. if the combination is over 26,000 lbs. AND the towed unit is over 10,000 lbs., a Class A CDL is required.
2. If a single vehicle is over 26,000 lbs., a Class B CDL is required.
3. If the vehicle is designed to transport 16 or more passengers and does not meet the definition of a Class A or B vehicle, a Class C CDL and P endorsement are required.
4. If the vehicle does not meet the definition of a Class A or B vehicle, but it is used to transport a quantity of haz-mat requiring placards, a Class C CDL and haz-mat endorsement is required.

2. Do I need a medical certification/card or operate a CMV in Kansas?

Yes, unless you meet one of the five exceptions to the medical certification requirements found in 49 CFR §391.2, or meet the intrastate exceptions found in KSA 66-1,129(c).

The five federal exceptions to the medical card requirement are:

1. Custom harvesters
2. Apiarian industries (beekeepers)
3. Certain farm vehicle drivers (non-articulated farm vehicles)
4. Covered farm vehicles
5. Pipeline welders operating vehicles not over 15,000 lbs. GVWR/GCWR/GVW/GCW

3. Do I need to carry my medical card?

CDL holders only need to carry their medical card for 15 days after renewal.  Non-CDL holders must carry their medical card.

4. If a truck has air brakes, does it require a CDL?

The weight of the vehicle, or the cargo type (passengers or haz-mat) determines whether a CDL is required.

The presence of air brakes does is not a determining factor in whether a CDL is required.

5. Is there a CDL air brake endorsement?

No.

In the United States, there is only an air brake RESTRICTION.  If the CDL applicant does not take the written air brake exam when applying for a CDL or does not take the road test with an air brake equipped vehicle, the CDL will have a restriction “L” on the CDL, meaning vehicles without air brakes.  This restriction only applies to vehicles that require a CDL.  For example, a driver with a CDL and air brake restriction can still legally operate a box truck with a GVWR less than 26,001 lbs. with air brakes, because the box truck does not require a CDL.

6. I am a farmer. Do I need a Class A or Class B CDL?

That depends on the type of power unit being used (truck or truck-tractor).

• If the power unit is a truck-tractor in a Class A combination, then a non-commercial Class A driver’s license is required. 
  • Class A does NOT include a combination of vehicles that has a truck registered as a farm truck.  
• If the single unit is a truck-tractor of 26,001 pounds or more, then a non-commercial Class B driver’s license is required. 
  • Class B motor vehicles do NOT include a single vehicle registered as a farm truck, when such farm truck has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds, or more. 

7. I am an out of state farmer. Will Kansas recognize my CDL exemption?

Yes.

Kansas has reciprocity agreements with Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma.  Farmers entering Kansas from non-reciprocity states will only qualify for the CDL exceptions if they meet the requirements of a covered farm vehicle.