Driver License

New York State Learner Permit and Driver License Class Descriptions

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New York State Learner Permit and Driver License Class Descriptions

Driver License Types

Refer to the table below for general New York State Driver License class descriptions.

Driver License Class Descriptions
Class	Qualifications	Eligible to Drive	Endorsements
A Commercial (CDL)	Age 21 or older Legal presence in the United States (18-20 - No interstate commerce. Cannot transport hazardous materials or operate a school bus.)	Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of more than 26,000 pounds, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of GCWR of vehicle(s) being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. Class B and C limited use motorcycles (mopeds).	H, M, N, P, S, T, W, X Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) Limited to: M, N, P, S, W
B Commercial (CDL)	Age 18 or older Legal presence in the United States (18-20 - No interstate commerce. Cannot transport hazardous materials or operate a school bus.)	GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds. May tow vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less OR may tow a vehicle of more than 10,000 pounds, providing the GCWR is not more than 26,000 pounds. Class B and C limited use motorcycles (mopeds).	H, M, N, P, S, W, X Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) Limited to: M, N, P, S, W
C Commercial (CDL)	Age 18 or older Legal presence in the United States (18-20 - No interstate commerce. Cannot transport hazardous materials or operate a school bus.)	GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds that: -Transports 15 or more passengers OR -Transports passengers under Article 19-A of the V&T Law OR -Stretch limousines OR -Carries hazardous materials. May tow vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less OR may tow a vehicle of more than 10,000 pounds, providing the GCWR is not more than 26,000 pounds. Class B and C limited use motorcycles (mopeds).	H, M, N, P, S, W, X
C Non-Commercial	Age 18 or older	GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less that doesn't require a CDL endorsement. May tow a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less OR may tow a vehicle of more than 10,000 pounds, providing the GCWR isn't more than 26,000 pounds. Class B and C limited use motorcycles (mopeds).	F, G, W
D Operator	Age 18 or over (age 17 with Driver Education)	Passenger cars and trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less. A vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) that has a maximum gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less. Can tow a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds only if the combined weight rating of the two vehicles is 26,000 pounds or less. Class B and C limited use motorcycles (mopeds).	R
DJ Junior Operator	Age 16-17	Passenger cars and trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less. A vehicle that tows another vehicle (for example a trailer) with a GVWR of 3,000 pounds or less. Class B and C limited use motorcycles (mopeds). See the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law and the restrictions on drivers under age 18.
E For-hire: Taxi, Livery, Limo	Age 18 or older	GVWR of 26,000 pounds used to transport 14 or fewer passengers for hire (excluding stretch limos) AND doesn't fall under 19-A. Tow privileges are the same as those for Class D. RV GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less.	R
M Motorcycle	Age 18 or over, or age 17 with Driver Education. Can be combined with other Classes, for example Class DM	Motorcycles
MJ Junior Motorcycle	Age 16-17 with Driver Education. Can be combined with Class DJ (DJMJ)	Motorcycles (with restrictions for drivers under age 18). See the Graduated Driver License (GDL) Law and the restrictions on drivers under age 18.