What’s the Difference Between a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and a Regular Driver’s License?
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a regular driver’s license have major differences, including who can get either license, the types of vehicles that are operable with each license, and the testing and renewal process for potential drivers.
Keep reading to learn more about the difference between both licenses, what commercial vehicle accidents are, and how California commercial vehicle accident lawyers from BD&J can help your claim!
What’s a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)?
A commercial driver’s license is issued to operators of commercial vehicles (aka vehicles used to transport products or people for business purposes) that have a combined weight of over 26,001 pounds.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, commercial vehicles include:
- Trucks with double or triple trailers
- Trucks with tanks
- Passenger vehicles (vehicles designed to transport more than 15 passengers)
- Trucks that carry hazardous materials
While delivery and cargo vans are considered commercial vehicles, their weight does not exceed 26,000 pounds, which means that operators of these vehicles don’t need a commercial driver’s license.
Call BD&J or complete our online form to consult with an attorney after an accident.
Who Can Get a CDL?
The California DMV handbook for commercial drivers states that a driver needs a CDL when they’re operating a single vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds a weight of 26,001 pounds, a 3-axle vehicle weighing more than 6,000 pounds, and to operate a vehicle designed, used, and maintained for more than 10 passengers, including the driver.
Besides that, requirements for a CDL are:
- The driver must be 18 years of age (21 to transport hazardous materials or interstate commerce within California or across state lines)
- Must be a citizen of the United States
- Must have a valid non-commercial driver’s license prior to applying for a CDL
Comparing a Commercial Driver’s License and a Regular Driver’s License
A commercial driver’s license can be essential for drivers who want to make a living while on the road. A regular driver’s license is required for California residents who wish to operate a smaller car to and from work, school, and other places.
Both licenses require certain testing and renewal processes and can be used for specific vehicle types. The differences in these licenses are:
- Training
Driver’s license applicants who are under 18 must complete a driver’s education program, practice driving for at least 50 hours (10 of which are at night), and pass the written permit test to obtain a driver’s permit for training purposes. License applicants over 18 do not need to show proof of training but of course are expected to have practiced for a behind-the-wheel driving test.
Commercial driver’s license applicants must complete a minimum of 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training, obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) to legally practice driving a commercial vehicle on public roads to prepare for CDL testing, and complete Entry-Level Driver Training that includes theory and commercial vehicle law instruction and behind-the-wheel training.
- Testing
A driver’s license requires potential drivers to:
- Go through a driving test to see how the person drives and completes certain driving maneuvers (like merging, making turns, and coming to a complete stop at stop signs and stoplights
- Complete a written test
- Complete an eye exam
On the other hand, a commercial driver’s license requires the potential driver to:
- Complete a thorough medical examination (required every 2 years)
- Complete a vocal vehicle inspection while providing information about every safety feature and equipment to the examiner
- Complete a basic control skills test for basic maneuvers like backing up, straight-line driving, and other control maneuvers
- Do a road test (involving driving up steep inclines, down steep roads, over bridges and train tracks, etc.)
- Renewal
Driver’s license renewals can be done online, through mail, or in person and are typically required every 5 years. Unless a renewal states the renewal has to be done in person (which typically requires another eye exam and written test), a simple form and fee payment is required to obtain a renewed license online or through mail within 90 days before or 12 months after the expiration date.
Commercial driver’s license renewals involve taking a skills test if the license has been expired for more than 2 years. Renewal for a commercial driver’s license typically requires a completed renewal form, fee payment, a valid Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card that shows you meet the physical health requirements for commercial drivers, and proof of citizenship or legal residence.
- Vehicle Types
A driver’s license is used to operate regular passenger vehicles like cars, vans, or small trucks. Another non-commercial driver’s license can be used to operate motorcycles.
Commercial driver’s licenses are designated for the operation of vehicles weighing over 26,001 pounds, including semi-trailers, tractor trucks, flatbed trucks, tankers, 3-axle vehicles, transit buses, and vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
- Sub-Classes of Each License
Both noncommercial drivers’ licenses and commercial drivers’ licenses are divided into classes, with each license allowing a driver to operate certain vehicles. These licenses are:
Driver’s license:
- Class D- This is the standard license used to operate regular vehicles like small passenger cars, vans, and small trucks.
- Class M1 and M2- This is the license needed to operate motorcycles and mopeds.
Commercial driver’s license:
- Class A- Used for operators of combined vehicles with a GVWR over 26,001 pounds or towing a trailer that weighs over 10,000 pounds.
- Class B- For drivers operating single vehicles with a GVWR over 26,001 pounds, with an additional towed trailer weighing less than 10,000 pounds. This license is also used to operate 3-axle vehicles weighing over 6,000 pounds.
- Class C- For commercial vehicle drivers operating buses and vehicles to transport passengers, hazardous materials, or tank vehicles.
What Do I Do if I Was Involved in an Accident with a Truck?
If you were involved in an accident with a large truck while on the road, it’s important to try to remain as calm as possible and do the following:
- Get to a safe part of the road, like a shoulder
- Check yourself and passengers for any visual serious injuries
- Call emergency services to get a police and medical response
- Exchange contact information with the truck driver and other drivers involved
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicles involved
- Receive medical attention as soon as possible
- Sit down with a truck accident lawyer in California
Accidents involving hefty commercial vehicles can be terrifying, but seeking the guidance of a legal expert can help start your claim for compensation.
Will a California Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Represent My Case?
If you were injured in an accident with another commercial vehicle, it’s crucial that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible. If you can establish:
- There was a duty of care.
- The duty of care was breached by an act of negligence or recklessness.
- The breach in duty of care resulted in an accident.
- The accident directly caused your injuries and other damages.
Then you most likely have a case.
Commercial vehicle drivers have a duty of care to other motorists and pedestrians to drive safely on the road, especially when they’ve obtained the proper licensing and certifications to do so. Negligence on behalf of a licensed commercial driver should not be left unanswered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Commercial Driving Accidents Happen in California?
Accidents involving commercial vehicles can often happen due to distracted driving, fatigue, spilled cargo, and defective vehicle products.
Who is Responsible for These Accidents?
Depending on the circumstances of these accidents, some of the responsible parties can include a commercial vehicle driver, a trucking company, a mechanic, or even the local municipality where the accident occurred.
Can I File a Claim if I Was Partially at Fault for an Accident Involving a Delivery Van?
Absolutely. Due to comparative negligence, you can file a claim for damages obtained in an accident where you had some fault.
The compensation amount is simply reduced by the percentage of fault you’re found to have.
How Soon Should I Start My Personal Injury Claim?
While 2 years may seem like a long time to bring a legal case forward, letting too much time pass by can affect evidence, how much you continue to pay for damages out of your own pocket, and can lead to further arguments from the other party on the length of time that’s passed.
It’s best to just speak with a commercial vehicle accident lawyer in California as soon as you’re able to get started.
What Kind of Evidence Do I Need for My Case?
Some of the evidence that most often helps a commercial vehicle accident case includes photos and videos of the accident scene, documentation of injuries, driver logs, and black box data, which is used to record the performance of a commercial truck, including speed, braking, engine activity, and driver house on the road.
What if I’m a Commercial Driver Who Was Injured in an Accident Caused by Someone Else?
If you were injured on the job, you’ll most likely go through workers’ compensation to cover medical expenses and lost wages as a recognized employee. However, if your accident was caused by defective equipment or an extremely negligent and reckless driver, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
Talking to a BD&J attorney in California can give you more insight.
Do I Have to Speak with an Insurance Company After the Accident?
Not at all, in fact, California truck accident attorneys often advise you don’t speak to insurance companies on your own. This is because insurance companies will often send lowball offers at first, attempting to pay injured victims much less than they deserve, and than their claim is worth.
You can consult with an attorney, and they will communicate with the other party’s insurance company and legal representatives.
Is There Anything I Should Avoid Saying After a Truck Accident?
Absolutely. California truck accidents always advise clients to avoid apologizing after an accident or making statements that admit fault, such as remarking that you didn’t see the other vehicle, or were going too fast.
Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer for My Claim?
Not without speaking to a lawyer. Initial offers are almost always lowball offers that don’t cover future expenses from an accident.
How Much Does It Cost to Work with BD&J?
At the BD&J law firm, we expect nothing from clients upfront. We are proud to offer our services to clients on a contingency fee basis!
What Are Contingency Fees?
Contingency fees work by advancing all costs to clients in order to get their legal claim started. Final attorney fees are deducted from the compensation amount after a case has been settled.
This means less financial burden for you, and no upfront fees until we win your case*.
How To Write a Spoliation Letter for Evidence
Spoliation letters are often used in commercial vehicle accidents because digital evidence like black box data, surveillance footage, and driver logs can be overwritten or ultimately discarded after some time. This letter also works to preserve other physical and documented evidence.
Writing a spoliation letter helps preserve evidence for a claim, and can be written by:
- Listing who is involved and the details of the accident. – You must clearly state the potential plaintiff in the lawsuit, the defendant, and provide details of the accident (date, time, and summary of events).
- Including a specific itemized list of evidence to preserve. – This itemized list ensures that everything that could serve as evidence in your claim is preserved, so be as specific as possible to avoid any lost evidence.
- A statement of intent to pursue legal action. – This intent can be stated at the top of the letter when detailing the incident and parties involved.
- Referring to legal statutes that protect your evidence. – California Penal Code § 135 makes it a misdemeanor for a person to intentionally destroy evidence knowing that it’s going to be produced in a trial or court matter.
- Imposing a deadline for confirmation on receipt and evidence preservation. – Include a deadline of a few days for the directed person in the letter to confirm in writing the receipt of the letter and the preservation of the evidence listed.
Spoilation letters are key to evidence preservation, particularly in cases involving trucks and other commercial vehicles. Consult with a California commercial vehicle accident lawyer to get expert help on a spoilation letter, case investigation, and every other step of the process for your claim.
California Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Who Fight for Justice
Obtaining a license to operate a vehicle is a big responsibility for any driver, which is why they require special training, whether in theory or physically behind-the-wheel. While commercial drivers’ licenses and regular drivers’ licenses differ in terms of the training, tests, and types of vehicles that can be operated with each license, both types of licenses share one thing: a massive duty of care to other drivers.
When a commercial vehicle accident happens due to a breach in this care, you have legal rights to pursue compensation in a lawsuit. BD&J is the law firm you can trust with your claim, having recovered over $3 billion* in compensation since our establishment in 2007.
Our team is available 24/7 to help you get started on the legal fight for rightful compensation.
Call the BD&J team at 888-648-8102 to learn more about filing a claim!