What are the legal requirements for operating commercial vehicles?

Do I need a special driver’s license to drive my work vehicle? 

If you’re in Orlando or anywhere in Florida, you may need a CMV license to operate your work truck. Keep reading below to learn more about CMV license laws. Commercial vehicles are available here at Carl Black Orlando. 

Work truck payload capacity

What is a Florida CMV driver’s license? 

CMV stands for Commercial Motor Vehicle, and a CMV license is the required license for some commercial vehicle operators. To be clear, not all commercial vehicles on the market will require a CMV license, and we offer many that don’t require one. Keep reading below to see if you need a CMV license. 

Who needs to use a CMV license for driving? 

You’ll need to get a CMV license if your truck has any of the following features: a gross vehicle weight rating (GCVR) of 26,001 pounds or more, seating for more than 15 people, or hazardous materials in transport. As you can see, we offer many commercial vehicles that don’t necessarily require a CMV license. For example, the Chevrolet Express Cargo Van has a GCVR under 10,000 pounds and doesn’t seat more than 15 people, so you can drive it without a CMV license as long as you’re not transporting hazardous materials. 

Can anyone drive a cargo van or heavy-duty truck? 

In Florida, you can drive a cargo van or HD truck with a standard license. This makes sense, as anyone can get behind the wheel of moving trucks, which are generally a little bigger than cargo vans. Heavy-duty trucks like the GMC Sierra HD are available for everyone. However, the GMC Sierra HD 3500 Chassis Cab may require a CMV due to a high GCVR.  

Where can I read the laws pertaining to commercial vehicles? 

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website has more information about specific laws and legal definitions. They’re considered the experts regarding legal requirements, and we always recommend deferring to them for the latest information.