Have you ever watched the driver of a massive tractor-trailer back his rig into a narrow alley to make a delivery? It has always amazed me how they do that, I can barely parallel park my rental car when I visit New York City. Obviously these professionals are well-trained, as they should be, considering the heavy responsibility involved with commanding a huge truck.
The maximum weight for a U.S. semi truck and full trailer is 80,000 pounds spread over 18 conventional wheels.
We have discussed the physics involved with a large truck vs. a passenger vehicle in an accident, and the truck almost always does massive damage to the car. Some new highways are actually being designed with separate lanes for cars and trucks just to avoid collisions.
This stunning statistic illustrates how dangerous it is to be in an accident with a big truck:
A total of 3,852 people died in large truck crashes in 2015. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 69 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.
So, what does it take to be a truck driver in Florida?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
All applicants for a Commercial Driver License are required to have an Operators License and pass the vision requirements. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. If they are under 21, they will be restricted to intrastate operation only.
Oral exams may be given in English or Spanish with the exception of skills test or Hazmat exams. Interpreters may not be used during the administration of CDL oral exams or during any portions of the CDL skill exams. Be sure to study the handbook.
Class A Exam Requirements – To operate trucks or truck combinations weighing 26,001 lbs or more, and towing a vehicle/unit over 10,000 lbs, then a Class A license is needed. The following tests are required:
General Knowledge test
Combinations vehicle test
Air Brakes
Pre-Trip
Basic Skills
CDL Road Test
Applicable exams for desired endorsements
Class B Exam Requirements – To operate straight trucks and buses 26,001 lbs or more, then a Class B license is needed. The following tests are required:
General Knowledge test
Air Brakes (if applicable)
Pre-Trip
Basic Skills
CDL Road Test
Applicable exams for desired endorsements
Class C Exam Requirements – To operate vehicles transporting placarded amounts of hazardous materials, or vehicles designed to transport more than 15 persons including the driver with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 lbs, then a Class C license is needed. The following tests are required:
General Knowledge test
Air Brakes (if applicable)
Pre-Trip (if applicable)
Basic Skills (if applicable)
CDL Road Test
Applicable exams for desired endorsements
The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus helps people who have been involved in serious accidents involving trucks. We understand the special circumstances involved when trucks collide. If you have been involved in any serious accident, please call us and we’ll be happy to sit down and discuss how we might help you. 954-356-0006.
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