Louisiana CDL Requirements
Louisiana is similar to Texas and based on weight:
Legalize below:
DEFINITIONS & AGE REQUIREMENTS
The class of driver's license needed depends on the kind of vehicle being driven. Drivers may also be required to have appropriate endorsement(s) on their Commercial Driver's License.
R.S. 32:408 B.(2)(a) and 405.1:
Class A Commercial Driver's License - Combination Vehicles
Age Requirements: 18 years or above for intrastate and 21 years or above for interstate.
Permits the operation of all vehicles within Classes B, C, D, and E, with any appropriate endorsements and any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10, 000 pounds.
- If the pulling unit of the combination vehicle is 26,000 pounds or less, a restriction (55 - No 18-wheelers) must be added to the license.
- If vehicle being towed has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, it is not taken into consideration.
R.S. 32:408 B.(2)(b) and 405.1:
Class B Commercial Driver's License - Heavy Straight Vehicle
Age Requirements: 18 years or above for intrastate and 21 years or above for interstate.
Permits the operation of any vehicle within Classes C, D, and E, with any appropriate endorsement(s) plus any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand and one or more pounds. A "straight vehicle" is defined for the purpose of this class as being one that does not bend or have a moveable joint in its frame between the driver seat and the cargo or passenger compartment.
R.S. 32:408 B.(2)(c) and 405.1:
Class C Commercial Driver's License - Light Vehicle
Age Requirements: 18 years or above for intrastate and 21 years or above for interstate.
Permits the operation of any vehicle within Classes D and E, with any appropriate endorsement(s), plus any single vehicle less than 26,001 pounds GVWR.
This group includes vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and which are not within the definition of a Group A or B vehicle, and vehicles used in the transportation of placarded amounts of hazardous materials.
Special Note for Commercial Driver's Licenses
R.S. 32:408 (3)
Applicable Endorsements:
"T" Double/Triple Trailers
"P" Passenger
"N" Tank Vehicles
"H" Hazardous Materials * (issued only to persons 21 years of age or above)*
"X" Combination Tank Vehicles and Hazardous Materials
"M" Motorcycle
"S" School Bus
R.S. 32:408 B. (2)(d) and 405.1:
Class "D" Chauffeurs Driver's License
Age Requirements: 17 years or above.
Permits the operation of all vehicles included in Class E plus any single motor vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds but less than 26,001 pounds, or any combination of vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle has a combined vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds but less than 26,001 pounds (inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds); or any vehicle designed or utilized for the transportation of passengers for hire or fee; and not utilized in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous under the provisions of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act which requires the vehicle to bear a placard under the provision of Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Part 172, Subpart F).
NOTE: As long as the combined gross vehicle weight rating (truck and trailer) is less than 26,001 pounds you can operate with Class D.
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CLASSES OF LICENSE AND AGE REQUIREMENTS