M Restriction
Topic 28994 | Page 1
Hi, Larry, and welcome to TT ~!!
This is from the FMCSA.gov website:
"If a driver possesses a Class A CDL , but obtains his or her passenger or school bus endorsement in a Class B vehicle the State must place an "M" restriction indicating that the driver can only operate Class B and C passenger vehicle or school buses." Sep 4, 2020
It's kind of confusing, but seemingly answers your question.
Are you attempting to get a Class A ?
Best wishes~!
~ Anne ~
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
I am not wanting to move up to Class A at this point in life. My real question is if the M restriction excludes me from driving non-passenger Class B vehicles? For example if I took a job with my city driving a residential recycling collection truck (Class B) would I have to re test or is my Class B valid for that?
The way I am reading it and the way it is explained on various sites is that you are only permitted to drive a passenger vehicle.
The confusing thing is that it says "a class A CDL holder".... which you state you are not...and a class A holder would be able to drive a non passenger B.
This is very confusing....what state do you live in?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
I had the exact same license you have now before getting my class A. You can drive any class B vehicle. The M restriction only disables you from driving articulated buses. That’s the way it was explained to me at least.
Just for clarity, are there class A passenger vehicles? Do Greyhound bus drivers need a class A cdl?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Just for clarity, are there class A passenger vehicles? Do Greyhound bus drivers need a class A cdl?
Some cities do have "double buses" that would need an A...it is basically two buses connected with a middle connector.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Just for clarity, are there class A passenger vehicles? Do Greyhound bus drivers need a class A cdl?
Some cities do have "double buses" that would need an A...it is basically two buses connected with a middle connector.
Like a pintle hook in the middle? That's cool; must be a 'city' thing, haha!!
Larry, I tried. It IS quite confusing. Hmmm.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
This is what Minnie meant by "articulated bus"
Here is one from vegas. My friend told me he needed an A. But reading this on sites it looks like he didnt. Maybe his company required the A and not necessarily the position.
Still the way the M restriction reads..it makes it sound as though you are restricted to passenger B only. I would definitely check with the state DMV.
Good luck
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Class B with an Passenger - means any Class B - and the P endorsement is for B/C 15 Passengers or more. You can drive a garbage truck on a Class B. M—Only Class B and C Vehicles and School Buses. Upgrading is to an A is as simple as taking the written test for Combination (if you hadn't already) & a skills test in a Class A Combination (yard skills, road test).
A articulated municipal buses are sometimes considered Class B vehicles, but require a Passenger (P) endorsement
The county school I went to - did Class B/Passenger testing also - pre-trip/skills (but I used to own a 48' Bus/RV - so I had experience with something that big). So I have an A, with PTX (Passenger/Doubles-Triples/HazMat/Tanker. Essentially qualifies me to drive anything - EXCEPT a School Bus (which is a special endorsement - S).
Really a PITA sometimes trying to figure out all these endorsements and restrictions.
But again - short answer - your Class B = Garbage Truck YES. You can drive any Class B - Passenger Bus & School Bus with your P & M endorsement.
Rick
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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I have a Class B with passenger endorsement and M restriction. I am unclear about if this means I can only drive school bus or am I allowed to drive all other Class B vehicles that don't require any other endorsements?