You did it! You took all the training, passed
all the tests, and got your CDL. You’ve put in so much hard work and have so
many new career opportunities, but the restrictions on your CDL are limiting
the vehicles you can drive and the jobs that you can take. While it may feel
like the restrictions are slamming doors in your face, we can help you find the
keys to reopen those doors.
Restrictions
limit the types of vehicles you can operate. This is typically due to the
vehicle you tested in or other conditions (like medical limitations). The good
news? Most restrictions can be removed by retaking the proper written or
skills test in the appropriate vehicle.
Here’s
a breakdown of each restriction and how to remove it:
|
Restriction Code
|
What It Means
|
How to Remove
|
|
L
|
You didn’t pass the air brakes
test or didn’t take the skills test in a vehicle with full air brakes. You
can’t drive CMVs with full air brake systems.
|
Retake the written air brakes
test, and/or retake the skills test in a vehicle with a full air brakes
system.
|
|
Z
|
You tested in a vehicle with an air-over-hydraulic
brake system. You’re not authorized to drive CMVs with full air brakes.
|
Retake the skills test in a
vehicle with a full air brakes system.
|
|
E
|
You tested in a vehicle with an automatic
transmission. You’re restricted from driving CMVs with a manual
transmission.
|
Retake the skills test in a
vehicle with a manual transmission.
|
|
O
|
You tested in a Class A vehicle with
a pintle hook or non-fifth wheel connection. You can’t operate Class A
vehicles with a fifth wheel connection.
|
Retake the skills test in a
Class A vehicle with a fifth wheel connection.
|
|
M
|
You have a Class A CDL but
earned your Passenger or School Bus endorsement in a Class B vehicle.
You're restricted to operating Class B and C passenger vehicles or school
buses.
|
Retake the Passenger or School
Bus skills test in a Class A vehicle.
|
|
N
|
You have a Class B CDL but
earned your Passenger or School Bus endorsement in a Class C vehicle.
You're restricted to Class C passenger vehicles or school buses.
|
Retake the Passenger or School
bus skills test in a Class B vehicle.
|
|
V
|
You have a medical variance
on file with FMCSA (e.g., vision or insulin use). This must be noted on your
CDL and driving record.
|
Talk with your doctor to see
if there are any treatment plans that would let the restriction be removed.
|
Bottom Line:
Aside from the medical restriction (V), removing restrictions is as simple as retesting in a qualifying vehicle.
You may not want or need to remove your restrictions, but having few restrictions, along with many endorsements, on your license will make you a more specialized driver, which can lead to higher pay.
Always check with your state DMV or licensing authority—requirements may vary slightly by location.
