Sharing the road with a truck driver can be overwhelming if they change lanes abruptly or appear to lack control over their vehicle. State laws aim to limit these risks by ensuring that every person behind the wheel of a large truck has the proper training and skills to perform their job. Take a look at the commercial driver’s license standards in Texas and what they mean to you. As always, speak with our experienced commercial truck accident attorney in Houston when involved in an accident.
Commercial Driver’s License Qualifications
The Texas Department of Safety and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration oversee the rules that truck drivers and companies must follow to make sure every person has the necessary training and skill to be on the road. To obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a person must go through specific training and testing to demonstrate their ability to operate safely.
There are three specific CDL classifications in Texas that a person can apply for.
- Class A: This classification allows the operator of the truck to operate any combination of vehicles that have a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicles towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. Most commonly, this includes semi-trucks, tankers, and tractor-trailers.
- Class B: This classification applies to operators of any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or heavier that is towing another vehicle weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Examples of these trucks include large buses, straight trucks, and delivery trucks.
- Class C: This classification allows the driver to operate any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not fall into a Class A or Class B vehicle designed to transport 16 to 23 people. This also applies to vehicles transporting hazardous materials designated by federal law. This may include passenger vans or HAZMAT vehicles.
The driver must update and maintain these licenses over time. If they make mistakes or cause accidents, they can lose their CDL, which means they cannot legally operate a truck.
Other Documentation Requirements in Texas
In addition to this, Texas law requires that CDL drivers also meet the following requirements:
- Proof of Texas residency to obtain a state-issued CDL
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or evidence of lawful presence
- Medical examiner’s certification, dependent on the self-certification type
- Self-certification of medical status otherwise
- Current Texas vehicle registration for every vehicle they own
- Proof of insurance on every vehicle they own
These standards hold drivers accountable for operating vehicles safely. They also make it clear to truck companies that they must ensure the people they put behind the wheel have the necessary skills and training to do the job safely. When they fail, lives are at risk. Even small mistakes can lead to life-threatening outcomes for those on the road with the truck.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer
The Doan Law Firm provides victims with comprehensive legal support when they need it the most. If you have injuries or losses caused by a trucking company’s mistakes, including placing an unlicensed driver on the road, we want to help you. We take on the big companies to get results for victims. Set up a free consultation with a commercial truck accident lawyer in Texas now.