Florida DOT Regulations for Trucks

In 2019, the long-haul freight trucking industry in Florida generated $10 billion in revenue. The trucking industry is undoubtedly an integral part of the economy. It continues to make huge contributions to the American economy. The trucking industry also acts as the connecting bridge between consumer demand and supply. From hauling fresh produce to pharmaceutical items, trucks ensure that everyone’s requirement is fulfilled. Given the wide area of operation, the trucking industry has multiple sets of laws to regulate truckers on the state and federal levels. 

All truckers are to follow the rules set by the FMCSA or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association. They are also required in certain cases to adhere to the state-specific regulations when they are operating in that state. In this article, we will be discussing the rules and regulations that apply to truckers operating in the state of Florida. 

Florida DMV Commercial Vehicle

The Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) defines Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) as any vehicle or vehicle combination not under government ownership having a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) higher than 26,000 lbs. or having three or more axles no matter what the vehicle weight.

How to become a truck driver in Florida?

To be eligible to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), the driver has to obtain a commercial driver license (CDL). The applicant must hold an Operator’s License before applying for the CDL. 

New applicants of CDLs must first acquire a Conditional Learner’s Permit (CLP). With a CLP, an applicant is permitted to practice driving commercial vehicles on public roads. The learners are required to have a qualified holder of CDL with them during every practice session. 

To get a CLP, the applicant is required to: 

• Have a Florida driver’s license. 
• Pass the eyesight test.
• Pass the knowledge test.
• Pass the Division of Drivers Licenses medical test.
• Provide proof of identity and residency. 
• Provide driving records of the past 10 years.
• Pay the fee. 

Once these requirements are fulfilled, the applicant has to wait for 14 days. Upon completion of the waiting period, the applicant can proceed to the vehicle driving skills test that contains:

• Vehicle inspection test. 
• Basic controls test. 
• Commercial driving road test. 

The list of test sites can be found here: https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/commercial-motor-vehicle-drivers/commercial-driver-license/third-party-skill-test-sites/ 

Note that while the minimum age for applying for a CDL is 18 years, an 18-year-old applicant will only be able to drive intrastate, that is, within the boundaries of Florida. To be eligible to drive interstate, the applicant has to be at least 21 years old.

The CDL knowledge tests are offered in a number of languages. Moreover, CDL knowledge tests, apart from the hazardous materials test, are permitted to be taken orally in either English or Spanish. However, the applicants should note that they may not be allowed to use interpreters during the administration of any of the tests.

CDL License Classes in Florida

CDL Class A License

A Class A CDL license holder is permitted to drive or operate the following vehicles:

• Trucks or truck combinations weighing 26,001 lbs. or more.
• Towing vehicles or units weighing more than 10,000 lbs. 

How to get a CDL Class A License in Florida?

To obtain a Class A CDL license, the applicant has to pass the following tests:

• General knowledge test.
• Combinations vehicle test.
• Air brakes test.
• Pre-trip test.
• Basic skills test.
• CDL road test.
• Applicable exams for desired endorsements. 

CDL Class B License

A Class B CDL license holder is permitted to drive or operate straight buses or trucks that weigh 26,001 lbs. or more. 

How to get a CDL Class B License in Florida?

To obtain a Class B CDL license, the applicant has to pass the following tests:

• General knowledge test.
• Air brakes test (if applicable).
• Pre-trip test.
• Basic skills test.
• CDL road test.
• Applicable exams for desired endorsements. 

CDL Class C License

A Class C CDL license holder is permitted to drive or operate the following vehicles:

• Vehicles that transport placarded quantities of hazardous materials.
• Vehicles designed to transport 15 or more passengers (including the driver) with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of less than 26,001 lbs. 

How to get a CDL Class C License in Florida?

To obtain a Class C CDL license, the applicant has to pass the following tests:

• General Knowledge test.
• Air Brakes (if applicable).
• Pre-trip test.
• Basic skills test. 
• CDL road test.
• Applicable exams for desired endorsements. 

CDL Endorsements Florida

An endorsement is an authorization that permits a driver to drive certain types of vehicles.  It is a requirement for driving doubles/triples, tanks, passengers, and hazardous materials. Below are the endorsements that can be acquired for Class A, B, or C commercial licenses. 

H endorsement – Placarded Hazmat: Required to transport placarded hazardous materials.

N endorsement – Tank Vehicles: Required to drive tank vehicles

P endorsement – Passengers: Required to drive passenger vehicles. A passenger vehicle is any vehicle designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver). 

S endorsement - School Bus: Required to transport pre-primary, primary, or secondary school students to and from home and school, or to and from school-sponsored events (does not include buses used as a common carrier). 

T endorsement – Double/Triple Trailers: Required to drive double or triple tractor-trailer vehicles. Note: Triple trailers are not allowed on Florida roads.

X endorsement – This endorsement is issued to those who qualify for H and N endorsements. 

Florida DMV Commercial Vehicle Registration

Any vehicle operating in Florida must be registered with the DOT. The initial registration process can take place at any of the local service centers. The applicant is required to submit a few supporting documents. This includes identity proof and proof of Florida Insurance along with a completed HSMV form 82040 (Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration). The applicant must pay an initial registration fee of $225 and a base vehicle tax which varies depending on the type of vehicle. The registration fees depend on the class code, type of license plate, and registration use. On completion, the owner will receive a metal number plate, registration certificate, and a registration decal sticker that must be pasted on the upper right corner of the license plate. 

CDL holders transferring from Canada or any other state

If the applicant has a valid out-of-state or a Canadian Commercial Driver License, it will be reciprocated by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). However, the out-of-state applicants who hold a hazmat endorsement still need to re-apply for a hazmat endorsement. This will cover relevant tests and fee payments. Background checks are also done.

Military CDL Waiver for Florida

Military members or ex-military customers applying for CDL based on their experience serving on military duty must pass all necessary knowledge and endorsement tests. The applicants also have to present a Certification for Waiver of Skill Test for Military Personnel form filled by their commanding officer while on active duty or within 90 days of separation from service. 

The process must be completed and the CDL must be issued within 120 days of separation from service. The military is now only exempt from taking the skills tests.

Florida CDL Medical Certification

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations requires all CDL holders to certify with the State’s Driver License Agency in one of the four categories below before the issuance or renewal of the CDL. Those certifying in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce (Category A or C) must ensure their updated medical documentation is on file with the state issuing agency. Failure to present valid medical documentation will result in the denial of the issuance or renewal of the license. Failure to maintain current medical documentation may result in CDL disqualification.

Non-excepted Interstate (Category A)

Operates or expects to operate in interstate commerce. The applicants are required to maintain federal medical certification.

Excepted Interstate (Category B)

Operates or expects to operate in interstate commerce but engages exclusively in operations that qualifies the applicant for exception from the requirement to maintain federal medical certification.

Non-excepted Intrastate (Category C)

Operates or expects to operate only in intrastate commerce and is required to meet state of Florida medical certification requirements.

Excepted Intrastate (Category D)

Operates or expects to operate only in intrastate commerce but engages exclusively in operations that qualifies the applicant for exception from state of Florida medical certification requirements.

The CDL holders can no longer claim exemption from medical certification requirements because they are not currently operating in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce. 

The applicants must maintain their medical certification or downgrade to a non-commercial license, if not specifically included in category B or D. 

If the applicant self-certifies in a category exempt from medical certification requirements (Category B or D) and later change to a non-exempt type of operation (Category A or C), they must recertify in the appropriate category and provide proof of valid medical certification to avoid potential enforcement actions.

CDL License Cost Florida

The current fees charged by the Division of Driver Licenses are as follows:

• Fresh CDL issuance or renewal: $75 
• Endorsements: $7 per endorsement
• Knowledge exam re-test: $10  
• Skills exam re-test: $20 

All trucking operations in Florida are enforced by the Florida Highway Patrol Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (OCVE).

Limitations on size and weight

The various limitations on the commercial trucks’ size and weight as applicable in Florida are:

• Commercial trucks which operate in Florida cannot be more than 13.6 feet tall.
• Automobile transporter semi-trailers are permitted to be of a maximum height of 14 feet, including the load carried. 
• The total permitted length of trucks carrying two trailers is 75 feet.
• It has to be noted in this regard that the restrictions on length are only applicable to trailers. Truck tractors or combinations of truck tractors and trailers do not have any length restrictions.
• The usual maximum permitted width of trucks is 8.6 feet on roads with traffic lanes 12 feet or wider. Some roads may have width restrictions of 8 feet set by the FDOT or local authorities.  
• The maximum permissible weight of commercial trucks is 80,000 lbs. However, the legal weight limitations can be lower with regard to the number of axles, the type of axles, among other factors.
• The maximum overhang over the front or front bumper of the vehicle is 3 feet. These limitations do not apply to bicycle racks carrying bicycles on public sector transit vehicles, or front-end loading solid waste or recyclable collection vehicles engaged in collection, when not exceeding 8'6" front overhang and operating at less than 20 miles per hour with warning lights activated.

CDL Permit Florida

Florida is not a port for any state. Hence, all permits must be purchased before entering the state. The permits are not sold at any scales (except in conjunction with violations). 

Special permit for overweight/oversize conditions

In and throughout Florida, trucks are checked at numerous points to ensure that they are maintaining the state and federal weight limitations. If axle weight violations are noted, the truck is considered to be overweight, and the truck drivers are asked to shift weight. An hour is allotted for shifting the excess weight. After the load shifting is done, the trucks go through another round of re-weighing. After the re-weighing, if the axle weight is still found to be more than the permissible weight, a Commercial Motor Vehicle Citation is issued along with a civil penalty.

If the trucks are found to be above the gross, bridge, or permit weight, they are directly issued a Commercial Motor Vehicle Citation along with noting down the civil penalty. Moreover, if the trucks violate both the maximum permissible axle weight and the gross or bridge weight, the truck driver is not permitted to shift the extra weight. Commercial Motor Vehicle Citations along with civil penalties are issued to the truck.

Types of permits in Florida

If the trucks are not equipped with an IFTA license plate, they will be required to get permits from the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation). These permits are issued in two forms:

• Trip permit
• Blanket permit

Trucks that cover a trip comprised of a single point of departure to a single destination are required to opt for a trip permit. With the trip permit, trucks are allowed to drive for a maximum period of 5 days to complete the single trip in Florida.

The trucks that need to make multiple trips to and across Florida can opt for a blanket permit. A blanket permit is valid for a maximum period of 12 months.

Note that trucks require trip and blanket permits not just for operating in or entering Florida but also to pass through Florida. 

Other Regulations

Some of the other regulations that have to be followed by trucks operating in and through Florida are:

• Intrastate trucks operating in and through Florida are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation. Moreover, they are required to display a valid USDOT number or a valid Florida registration number.
• If the truck has a combined gross vehicle weight of over 26,001 lbs. or has more than 3 axles, it is required to have a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles fuel decal.

This article discussed the rules, regulations, classes of commercial vehicle licenses, and permits required for driving in Florida. For those drivers from Florida who are looking for the best Dash Cams, Electronic Logging Devices, or Asset Trackers please feel free to visit our site at www.eldmandate.biz/pricing or input your details below.