Section 761.607.20. Commercial learner’s permit.

         607.20(1) Validity.

            a.               A commercial learner’s permit allows the permit holder to operate a commercial motor vehicle when accompanied as required by Iowa Code section 321.180(2) “d.”

            b.               A commercial learner’s permit is valid for 180 days and may be renewed for an additional 180 days without retaking the general and endorsement knowledge tests required by Iowa Code section 321.188.

            c.               A commercial learner’s permit is invalid after the expiration date of the underlying commercial or noncommercial driver’s license issued to the permit holder or the expiration date of the permit whichever occurs first.

            d.               The issuance of a commercial learner’s permit is a precondition to the initial issuance of a commercial driver’s license. The issuance of a commercial learner’s permit is also a precondition to the upgrade of a commercial driver’s license if the upgrade requires a skills test. The holder of a commercial learner’s permit is not eligible to take a required driving skills test for the first 14 days after the permit holder is issued the permit. The 14-day period includes the day the commercial learner’s permit was issued.

Example: The commercial learner’s permit is issued on September 1. The earliest date the permit holder would be eligible to take the skills test is September 15.

            e.               A commercial learner’s permit is not valid for the operation of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials.

         607.20(2) Requirements.

            a.               An applicant for a commercial learner’s permit must hold a valid Class A, B, C, or D driver’s license issued in this state that is not an instruction permit, a special instruction permit, a motorized bicycle license or a temporary restricted license; must be at least 18 years of age; and must meet the requirements to obtain a valid commercial driver’s license, including the requirements set forth in Iowa Code section 321.188. However, the applicant does not have to complete the driving skills tests required for a commercial driver’s license to obtain a commercial learner’s permit.

            b.               The applicant must successfully pass a general knowledge test that meets the federal standards contained in 49 CFR Part 383, Subparts F, G and H, for the commercial motor vehicle the applicant operates or expects to operate, including any endorsement for which the applicant applies.

         607.20(3) Endorsements. A commercial learner’s permit may include the following endorsements. All other endorsements are prohibited on a commercial learner’s permit.

            a.               An applicant for a passenger endorsement (P) must take and pass the passenger endorsement knowledge test. A commercial learner’s permit holder with a passenger endorsement is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle carrying passengers, other than federal/state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the commercial driver’s license holder accompanying the permit holder required by Iowa Code section 321.180(2) “d.”

            b.               An applicant for a school bus endorsement (S) must take and pass the school bus endorsement knowledge test. A commercial learner’s permit holder with a school bus endorsement is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle carrying passengers, other than federal/state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the commercial driver’s license holder accompanying the permit holder required by Iowa Code section 321.180(2) “d.”

            c.               An applicant for a tank vehicle endorsement (N) must take and pass the tank vehicle endorsement knowledge test. A commercial learner’s permit holder with a tank vehicle endorsement may only operate an empty tank vehicle and is prohibited from operating any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials that has not been purged of any residue.

         607.20(4) Restrictions. A commercial learner’s permit may include the air brake (L), medical variance (V), Class A passenger vehicle (M), Class A and B passenger vehicle (N) and intrastate only (K) restrictions described in rule 761—607.18(321). In addition, a commercial learner’s permit may include the following restrictions that are specific to the commercial learner’s permit:

            a.                Passenger. The passenger restriction (P, no passengers in CMV bus) applies to a permit holder who has a commercial learner’s permit with a passenger or school bus endorsement and prohibits the operation of a commercial motor vehicle carrying passengers, other than federal/state auditors and inspectors, test examiners, other trainees, and the commercial driver’s license holder accompanying the permit holder required by Iowa Code section 321.180(2) “d.”

            b.                Cargo. The cargo restriction (X, no cargo in CMV tank vehicle) applies to a permit holder who has a commercial learner’s permit with a tank vehicle endorsement and prohibits the operation of any tank vehicle containing cargo or any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials that has not been purged of any residue.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 321.180, 321.186 and 321.188.

[ARC 2071C, IAB 8/5/15, effective 7/14/15; ARC 2337C, IAB 1/6/16, effective 2/10/16; ARC 2530C, IAB 5/11/16, effective 6/15/16]