What is a Commercial Driver’s License?

The commercial driver’s license is required for anyone who is going to be driving professionally and operating a big rig such as an 18 wheeler.

The cut off for commercial trucks is usually described by weight meaning that anything over 10,000 pounds or over 26,000 pounds has special rules that apply to it.  These bigger trucks have different handling characteristics to a passenger vehicle.  The breaking is different and slower.  Commercial trucks also require different amounts of space for things like turning.

In order to be able to drive professionally a person has to get a CDL license which requires passing a test at the Virginia DMV.

The test makes sure that there is some basic knowledge about how tractor-trailer or combinations work and the safe operating rules of the road for large trucks.

One rule that is important and clearly stated in the CDL manual is the rule that requires drivers of commercial vehicles to use “extreme caution” when driving in rain, fog or other conditions that may affect visibility.  In these situations the commercial truck driver must slow down and if necessary get off of the road to ensure that they are not endangering the public.  The special requirements for commercial drivers are a good thing as they keep the public safe and cut down on the number of untrained persons behind the wheels of these giant vehicles.

The Virginia Beach and Norfolk based truck accident injury law firm, Cooper Hurley, handles automobile, truck, and motorcycle injuries as well as other cases such as slip and fall cases, wrongful death and medical malpractice.  John Cooper and Jim Hurley have over 40 years of combined experience in handling truck injury accident claims.  Attorney John Cooper has been named to Virginia “Super Lawyers” since 2010.

Cooper Hurley represents people hurt in accidents in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and throughout VA, and always put the best interests of our clients first. The firm is recognized by other lawyers as “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, a national attorney rating service, for our top level of legal skill and highest ethical standards.