Frequently Asked Questions
ARIZONA CDL
QUESTION: Could you please tell me what law under Arizona code requires CDL holders to maintain a current medical certificate? I am from GA, held a CDL for 20+ years and was only required to have a current medical card per federal regulations.
It appears now that after getting my AZ CDL, the state has suspended my license and requires me to retake the entire test for a lapse in medical certification. It is my intention to move back to GA, however AZ shows my license suspended. Any help ATA can provide will be much appreciated.
ANSWER: The requirement for the DOT medical certification can be found in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28 at 28-3223 (A)(1) and 28-3223 (D)(1). In Arizona, it's up to the individual driver to keep his DOT medical card current. The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division is the lead agency in this matter.
QUESTION: Is a CDL required for our competitors' trucks if they are rated at 25,900 but have a water tank? They are de-rating their water trucks (with tanks over 1,000 gallons) to a 25,900 GVW rating and telling customers a CDL is not required. Also, aren't tanker endorsements required for CDL’s with tanker trucks?
ANSWER: If they are simply de-rating the vehicles by “registering” the license of that vehicle for 25,900 pounds, while the “gross vehicle weight rating” (GVWR)—as found on the vehicle’s manufacturer plate affixed to the vehicle at the manufacturer—remains 26,001 or more, than a CDL A or B with tanker endorsement will still be required.
If they are taking the vehicle back to a manufacturers dealership and revising the manufacturer’s plate with a new "gross vehicle weight rating” (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or under, than a CDL would not be required, regardless of how big the permanently attached tank is. A CDL C is required for vehicles 26,000 pounds or under, only for when a Passenger endorsement or Hazardous Materials endorsement is needed.
If this is what your competitor is doing, then they would have to be careful not to overload the vehicle, according to the new GVWR.
In a related matter that you should be aware of, we have heard discussions amongst the CMV enforcement officers in this state who say a CDL C would be required for a tanker endorsement for a vehicle under 26,000 pounds GVWR, but that is contrary to Federal Regulations. FMCSR Part 383 is a Part of the FMCSR that cannot be changed by a State.
QUESTION: We have recently purchased a couple of 26,000 lbs M-2 freightliners with air brakes that are registered at 25,999 lbs. Do our drivers need CDL licenses because of the air brakes, or do they just need health cards? Any help would be appreciated.
ANSWER: Regarding your new freightliners – CDL licensing requirements are only based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and not on registered weight. Those are two different issues.
You can find your GVWR for the equipment listed on the manufacturer’s plate found on the vehicle, along with the VIN, etc.
- The magic number is 26,001 pound or more.
- If the GVWR is 26,001 pound or more, then your drivers will need at least a Class B CDL with the air brakes restriction removed from their license (taking and passing the written test and taking and passing the skills test in the air brake equipped vehicle).
- They will also need to be put in a DOT mandated drug and alcohol testing pool, along with the DOT physical medical card.
If the GVWR of the vehicle is 26,000 pounds or under, then you are correct, they just need a current and valid DOT physical medical card. Please keep in mind it is possible to have a vehicle with a GVWR of say 35,000 pounds and have it registered at 25,999 pounds. The driver of this vehicle would still need to have at least a CDL B.
QUESTION: Will CDL drivers with lengthy CDL expiration dates (6-12 years) be required to renew their licenses? If not, will their CDL expire after a certain number of years?
ANSWER: All of the remaining CDL holders who possess a “Lifetime” CDL (6-12 years) will be notified in January that their licenses will expire in March. That will leave all CDL licenses expiring every 5 years thereafter. These notices will be mailed to the address on MVD records, so it is important that the drivers keep their address current on their driving records.
To address questions or comments to the FAQ service, please call John Backowski at 602.850.6002 or email him at jbackowski@aztrucking.com
Thank you and have a safe day!