New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 15 - Department of Motor Vehicles
Chapter I - REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER
Subchapter A - DRIVER LICENSING AND TRAINING
Part 3 - Drivers' Licenses
Section 3.2 - Driver license classifications, endorsements and restrictions
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 12, March 20, 2024
Subdivision one of section 501 provides that a driver license shall be valid only for the operation of the vehicles specified for each class of license but shall not be valid for the operation of any type of vehicle for which an endorsement is required unless the license contains such endorsement and further that such license shall also be subject to any restrictions contained on the license.
(a) License classifications.
Paragraph (a) of subdivision two of section 501 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law establishes eight classes of driver licenses and sets forth the vehicles which may be operated with each such class subject to any required endorsements and any restrictions which may be made to any such license. The license classes are: A, B, C, D, E, DJ, M and MJ. Class A, class B and class C licenses which contain an H, P, S or X endorsement are commercial driver licenses or CDLs. Any other class license, including a class C license which does not contain an H, P, S or X endorsement is not a CDL. No license may contain more than one class except that any license may contain a motorcycle M class in addition to its other class. A license which has both a motorcycle and a DJ class will be designated as a DMJ license. No person shall apply for a commercial learner's permit unless such person holds a class D license. A commercial learner's permit may not be issued with an endorsement authorized by federal regulation, other than a P, S or N endorsement.
(b) Endorsements.
Paragraph (b) of subdivision two of section 501 specifically establishes endorsements which may be added to one or more classes of licenses and further provides that the commissioner may by regulation establish additional endorsements. An endorsement is required on a license in order for the licensee to operate the type of vehicle or combination of vehicles or to transport passengers for the type of cargo specified in the endorsement. A license may contain multiple endorsements.
T - double and triple trailers
N - tank vehicles
H - vehicles transporting hazardous materials which are required to be placarded
W - tow trucks
X - combines H & N endorsements
(c) Restrictions.
Paragraph (c) of subdivision two of section 501 specifically provides for three types of restrictions which may be placed on license classes or endorsements and further provides that the commissioner may by regulation establish additional restrictions. A restriction on a license limits the type of vehicles or combinations which can be operated with the license on which the restriction appears or specifies prosthetic devices or equipment which are required in order to operate a vehicle. A license may contain multiple restrictions.
Code |
Restriction |
Code |
Restriction |
A |
ACCEL LEFT OF BRAKE |
N |
NO CLASS A OR B PASSENGER VEHICLE |
A2 |
PROBLEM DRIVER |
||
A3 |
MED CERT EXEMPT |
N1 |
NO VEHICLE WITH DESIGNED ADULT SEATING CAPACITY OF 15 OR MORE PASSENGERS |
A4 |
INTERLOCK DEVICE |
N2 |
NO VEHICLE WITH DESIGNED ADULT SEATING CAPACITY OF 8 OR MORE PASSENGERS |
B |
CORRECTIVE LENSES |
O |
NO TRACTOR TRAILER CMV |
C |
MECHANICAL AID |
O1 |
No TRACTOR TRAILER CMV/TRUCK NOT OVER 26,000 GVWR |
D |
PROSTHETIC DEVICE |
P |
NO PASSENGERS IN CMV BUS |
P1 |
POWER BRAKES |
||
E |
NO MANUAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED CMV |
Q |
POWER STEERING |
E1 |
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION |
||
F |
OUTSIDE MIRRORS |
R |
BUILT UP SEAT/PED/ SHOE |
F1 |
HEARING AID/FULL VIEW MIRROR |
||
G |
DAYLIGHT DRIVING ONLY |
||
H |
LIMITED TO EMPLOYMENT |
T |
CMV TRACTOR ONLY |
I |
LIMITED USE AUTO |
U |
HAND OPERATED BRAKE |
I1 |
LIMITED USE MCY MAX40 MPH |
V |
MEDICAL VARIANCE |
I2 |
LIMITED USE MCY MAX30 MPH |
V1 |
FOOT OPER PARKING BRAKE |
I3 |
LIMITED USE MCY MAX20 MPH |
X |
NO CARGO IN CMV TANK VEHICLE |
X1 |
FULL HAND CONTROL |
||
I4 |
THREE WHEEL MCY |
Y |
SHOULDER HARNESS USE |
J |
OTHER |
Z |
NO FULL AIR BRAKE EQUIPPED CMV |
Z1 |
WHEEL SPINNER |
||
K |
CDL INTRASTATE ONLY (DOES NOT PERMIT OPERATION OUTSIDE OF NYS IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE) |
3 |
TELESCOPIC LENS |
L |
NO AIR BRAKES EQUIPPED CMV |
5 |
NO LIMITED ACCESS ROADS |
M |
NO CLASS A PASSENGER VEHICLE |