Section 2.90.210. Classes of licenses; endorsements.

	(a)  An applicant for a classified license, or for an endorsement to a classified license, must pass an examination appropriate to the class of license or endorsement for which the person is applying. A person may not, at any time, have more than one driver's license, including a license issued by another jurisdiction.  
	(b)  The classification of driver's licenses, and the class of license that is required to operate a motor vehicle, is  
		(1) for commercial motor vehicles, as follows:  
			(A) Class A/CDL - a combination of a motor vehicle and one or more other vehicles with a GCWR of greater than 26,000 pounds where the combined GVWR of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds; a holder of a Class A/CDL license may also operate a Class B/CDL, Class C/CDL, or Class D vehicle;  
			(B) Class B/CDL - a motor vehicle with a GVWR of greater than 26,000 pounds, or a motor vehicle with a GVWR of greater than 26,000 pounds that is towing a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less; a holder of a Class B/CDL license may also operate a Class C/CDL or Class D vehicle;  
			(C) Class C/CDL - any single motor vehicle, or a combination of a motor vehicle and one or more other vehicles not meeting the definitions of Class A/CDL or B/CDL in (A) or (B) of this paragraph, but that is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or placarded under hazardous materials regulations in 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F, revised as of October 1, 2013; a holder of a Class C/CDL may also operate a Class D vehicle;  
			(D) Class IA - commercial instruction permit issued under AS 28.15.051(f) for a Class A commercial motor vehicle to an applicant who is 18 years of age or older and has held a valid Class D license for at least one year;  
			(E) Class IB - commercial instruction permit issued under AS 28.15.051(f) for a Class B commercial motor vehicle to an applicant who is 18 years of age or older and has held a valid Class D license for at least one year;  
			(F) Class IC - commercial instruction permit issued under AS 28.15.051(f) for a Class C commercial motor vehicle to an applicant who is 18 years of age or older and has held a valid Class D license for at least one year;  
		(2) for non-commercial motor vehicles, as follows:  
			(A) Class D - a motor vehicle, motor-driven cycle, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), snowmachine, or a combination of a motor vehicle and one or more other vehicles that is not  
				(i) a commercial motor vehicle; or  
				(ii) a motor vehicle for which a Class M1 license is required;  
			(B) Class M1 - motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and motorized bicycles with over 50 cc engine displacement, singly or in combination with trailers or sidecars designed to be used with these vehicles;  
			(C) Class M2 - under 50 cc engine displacement or less motor-driven cycles and motorized bicycles, instruction permit for Class Ml;  
			(D) Class IM - instruction permit issued under AS 28.15.051(a) for a Class D, Class M1, or Class M2 vehicle;  
			(E) Class IP - instruction permit issued under AS 28.15.051(a) for a class D vehicle;  
			(F) Class IE - instruction permit issued under AS 28.15.051(b);  
			(G) Class R - snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) designed for off highway use but allowed to operate on public roads by communities through an ordinance conforming with AS 28.01.010(a).  
			(H) Class M3 - three-wheeled motorcycles, three-wheeled motor-driven cycles, and three-wheeled motorized bicycles with over 50 cc engine displacement, singly or in combination with a trailer designed to be used with these vehicles.  
	(c)  To operate a school bus transporting school children, or a bus transporting school children to or from a public school for classroom studies, a person must have a valid driver's license to operate the size and type of vehicle being driven, and a valid school bus driver endorsement issued under AS 28.15.046 and 2 AAC 90.010. A school bus driver endorsement is the endorsement required under (e) of this section for the operator of a commercial motor vehicle that is a school bus.  
	(d)  A holder of a classified license who wishes to change the classification on the license, or to obtain an additional endorsement for another class of license must  
		(1) submit an application for a change or endorsement as prescribed by the department;  
		(2) pass an appropriate examination for the change or endorsement for which the licensee is applying; and  
		(3) pay the appropriate fee set out in AS 28.15.271.  
	(e)  In addition to a driver's license issued under (b) of this section, an operator of a commercial motor vehicle must obtain an endorsement on a Class A/CDL, Class B/CDL, or Class C/CDL license to operate the following vehicles:  
		(1) T - double or triple trailers;  
		(2) N - tank vehicle;  
		(3) P - vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver;  
		(4) H - vehicle used in the transportation of hazardous materials when the vehicle is required to be placarded for hazardous materials;  
		(5) X - combination of N and H endorsements;  
		(6) S - school bus.  
		(7) Z - partial air brakes.  
	(f)  In order to obtain an endorsement under (e) of this section, an operator of a commercial motor vehicle must take and pass a  
		(1) knowledge test for each endorsement;  
		(2) skills test for an endorsement under (e)(3) and (6) of this section;  
		(3) knowledge test for an endorsement under (e)(4) or (5) of this section each time the endorsement is renewed;  
		(4) United States, Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Safety Administration hazardous material threat assessment background check, conducted under AS 28.33.100(b), for the original application and for each subsequent renewal for an endorsement under (e)(4) or (5) of this section.  
	(g)  A person may not operate a commercial motor vehicle in this state unless the person has a valid commercial driver's license for the size and type of vehicle being operated. A person may not operate a commercial motor vehicle if the person's noncommercial motor vehicle privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, cancelled, or denied.  
	(h)  A commercial driver's license issued to a person who is under 21 years of age is restricted to intrastate operation.  
	(i)  If an applicant seeks a commercial driver's license or an upgrade in class of a commercial driver's license, and if a skills test is required for the license or upgrade under AS 28,  under a federal provision adopted by reference in 2 AAC 90.250, or under another provision of this chapter, the applicant must first obtain a commercial instruction permit for the class of license sought.  
	(j)  If a person holds a commercial instruction permit with an endorsement to operate a school bus, the department will add a no-passenger restriction to the commercial instruction permit.  
	(k)  If a person holds a commercial instruction permit with an endorsement to operate a tank vehicle, the department will add a restriction to the commercial instruction permit that the tank vehicle be empty and purged if the tank vehicle previously contained hazardous materials.  
	(l)  If a person holds a commercial instruction permit with an endorsement to operate a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, the department will add a no-passenger restriction to the commercial instruction permit.  
	(m)  An applicant for any class of commercial driver's license must pass concurrently all portions of the skills tests required for that class under AS 28,  under a federal provision adopted by reference in 2 AAC 90.250, or under another provision of this chapter, and may not bank any of those portions.  

Authorities

28.05.011;28.15.041;28.15.046;28.33.100

Notes

Reference

17 AAC 25.210
2 AAC 90.200

Authority

AS 28.05.011 AS 28.15.041 AS 28.15.046 AS 28.33.100

History

Eff. 7/1/2006, Register 178; am 1/1/2011, Register 196; am 10/10/2014, Register 212