August 21, 2025 | Truck Accidents
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) issues three types of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). You must have a CDL to operate certain commercial motor vehicles, including 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, tank trucks, some buses, and other large vehicles.
Because of their size and weight, these vehicles are often involved in serious truck accidents that can cause devastating injuries and damage. Requiring a driver to obtain a CDL helps ensure that they have the special training, skills, and experience to operate a commercial vehicle.
Types of Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Florida
The type of commercial driver’s license you need depends on the type of commercial vehicle you operate. The vehicle’s weight and the items being transported can also impact the type of license you need, including whether you need endorsements to a commercial driver’s license in Florida.
The three classes of commercial driver’s licenses are:
- Class A CDL: A Class A CDL is required for operating trucks or truck combinations with a gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds, when the towed vehicle weighs 10,001 pounds or more. Examples include semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, livestock carriers, tankers, and flatbeds.
- Class B CDL: A Class B CDL is required for drivers operating straight trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 26,000 pounds. Large buses, larger box trucks, and dump trucks generally fall into this category.
- Class C CDL: A Class C CDL is required for drivers operating vehicles carrying hazardous materials that require a placard. It is also required for bus drivers who operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds that transport 15 or more individuals.
Knowing which CDL class applies to your vehicle and cargo is essential for meeting state and federal licensing requirements.
Licensing Requirements for Florida CDLs
The general requirements for obtaining a commercial driver’s license in Florida include:
- Proof of Florida residency
- Be at least 18 years old to drive intrastate (only within Florida) or 21 years old to drive interstate
- Pass the required vision, knowledge, and skills tests
Additional tests may be required for endorsements or transporting hazardous materials. Additionally, the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) sets the federal regulations for commercial drivers.
CDL holders must also comply with federal requirements for commercial driver’s licenses.
CDL Endorsements
An endorsement allows a commercial driver to transport specific cargo or people. Endorsements also give commercial drivers the ability to operate specific vehicles.
Endorsements you can obtain for your commercial driver’s license include:
- Tank Vehicles (Endorsement N): Allows drivers to operate tanker vehicles.
- Passengers (Endorsement P): Allows drivers to operate a vehicle to transport 15 or more passengers.
- Double/Triple Trailers (Endorsement T): Allows drivers to operate tractors with double and triple trailers. However, Florida does not permit triple trailers.
- Placard Hazmat (Endorsement H): Allows drivers to operate vehicles transporting placarded hazardous materials.
- School Bus (Endorsement S): Allows drivers to operate school buses to transport children to and from school and school-sponsored events.
- Placarded Hazmat & Tank Vehicles (Endorsement X): Allows drivers to use tank trucks to transport hazardous materials.
Endorsements require drivers to pass additional written tests. In some cases, the driver may need to pass an additional skills test. Commercial drivers can hold multiple endorsements on their CDL.
CDL Restrictions
A restriction limits what a commercial driver can do with their license. Restrictions may apply based on the type of vehicle, equipment, or driver’s physical needs.
Restrictions you may see on a commercial driver’s license include:
- Air Brake Restriction (L): Prevents the driver from operating vehicles with air brakes.
- Intrastate Restriction (K): Limits the driver to operating commercial vehicles only within Florida.
- Tractor-Trailer Restriction (O): Prohibits the driver from operating tractor-trailers.
- Corrective Lenses Restriction (B): Requires the driver to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving.
- Hearing Aid Restriction (9): Requires the driver to wear a hearing aid.
Restrictions are placed on a CDL when a driver does not meet specific qualifications or has not passed certain skills tests.
Is a Commercial Truck Driver Responsible for Compensation of Damages After a Truck Accident?
Florida personal injury laws are based on fault. A party that contributes to the cause of an accident can be held liable for damages caused by the crash. Therefore, if a truck driver causes a truck accident, you can sue the truck driver for damages.
Compensation may include economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- The cost of medical treatment and rehabilitative therapy
- Loss of income, employment benefits, wages, and earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Permanent impairments, disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
However, a truck driver may not have sufficient insurance coverage or assets to pay your claim. In many cases, the trucking company is also liable for damages. Under the legal theory of vicarious liability, an employer can be held liable for damages caused by an employee’s negligence.
Because trucking companies must have large insurance policies, your claim will likely be against both the truck driver and the trucking company.
Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Florida
Truck accidents are complex personal injury claims. You are fighting a large trucking company and a massive insurance provider. Both companies have substantial resources to fight your claim. They have teams of adjusters, attorneys, and investigators to gather evidence.
Working with a truck accident lawyer gives you access to expert witnesses, resources for gathering evidence, and the expertise of a knowledgeable attorney.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced truck accident lawyers at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Florida, including Vero Beach, St. Petersburg, and Port St. Lucie.
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – Vero Beach
2651 20th St
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 758-1966
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – St. Petersburg
200 Central Ave Suite 304
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(772) 569-8155
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – Port St. Lucie
10805 SW Tradition Square Unit 024A
Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
(772) 677-0373
