Section 761.607.16. Commercial driver’s license (CDL).

         607.16(1) Classes. The department may issue a commercial driver’s license only as a Class A, B or C driver’s license. The license class identifies the types of vehicles that may be operated. A commercial driver’s license may have endorsements which authorize additional vehicle operations or restrictions which limit vehicle operations.

         607.16(2) Validity.

            a.               A Class A commercial driver’s license allows a person to operate a combination of commercial motor vehicles as specified in Iowa Code paragraph 321.189(1)“a.” With the required endorsements and subject to the applicable restrictions, a Class A commercial driver’s license is valid to operate any vehicle.

            b.               A Class B commercial driver’s license allows a person to operate a commercial motor vehicle as specified in Iowa Code paragraph 321.189(1)“b.” With the required endorsements and subject to the applicable restrictions, a Class B commercial driver’s license is valid to operate any vehicle except a truck-tractor semitrailer combination as a chauffeur (Class D) or a vehicle requiring a Class A commercial driver’s license.

            c.               A Class C commercial driver’s license allows a person to operate a commercial motor vehicle as specified in Iowa Code paragraph 321.189(1)“c.” With the required endorsements and subject to the applicable restrictions, a Class C commercial driver’s license is valid to operate any vehicle except a truck-tractor semitrailer combination as a chauffeur (Class D) or a vehicle requiring a Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license.

            d.               A commercial driver’s license is valid for operating a motorcycle as a commercial motor vehicle only if the license has a motorcycle endorsement and a hazardous material endorsement. A commercial driver’s license is valid for operating a motorcycle as a noncommercial motor vehicle only if the license has a motorcycle endorsement.

            e.               A commercial driver’s license valid for eight years shall be issued to a qualified applicant who is at least 18 years of age but not yet 72 years of age. However, the expiration date of the license issued shall not exceed the licensee’s 74th birthday.

            f.                A commercial driver’s license valid for two years shall be issued to a qualified applicant 72 years of age or older. A two-year license may also be issued, at the discretion of the department, to an applicant whose license is restricted due to vision or other physical disabilities.

            g.               A commercial driver’s license is valid for 60 days after the expiration date.

            h.               A person with a commercial driver’s license valid for the vehicle operated is not required to obtain a Class D driver’s license to operate the vehicle as a chauffeur.

         607.16(3) Requirements.

            a.               The minimum age to obtain a commercial driver’s license is 18 years.

            b.               The applicant shall meet the requirements set forth in rule 761—607.15(321).

         607.16(4) Transition from five-year to eight-year licenses. During the period January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2018, the department shall issue qualified applicants otherwise eligible for an eight-year license a five-year, six-year, seven-year, or eight-year license, subject to all applicable limitations for age and ability. The applicable period shall be randomly assigned to the applicant by the department’s computerized issuance system based on a distribution formula intended to spread renewal volumes as equally as practical over the eight-year period beginning January 1, 2019, and ending December 31, 2026.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 321.177, 321.182, 321.188, 321.189, and 321.196 and 2013 Iowa Acts, chapter 104, section 2.

[ARC 1714C, IAB 11/12/14, effective 12/17/14; ARC 2071C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 7/14/15; ARC 2337C, IAB 1/6/16, effective 2/10/16]