(a) Commercial drivers’ licenses shall be issued in the following classes and shall include any endorsements and restrictions that are applicable. Subject to any such endorsements and restrictions, the holder of a valid commercial driver’s license may drive all commercial motor vehicles in the class for which that license is issued and all lesser classes of vehicles, except that he shall not operate a motorcycle unless he is licensed to do so under Ohio R.C. Chapter 4507.
(b) The classes of commercial drivers’ licenses and the commercial motor vehicles that they authorize the operation of are as follows:
(1) Class A. Any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.
(2) Class B. Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty- six thousand one pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds.
(3) Class C. Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that is not a class A or class B vehicle, but that either is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials and any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty- six passengers including the driver.
(c) The following endorsements and restrictions apply to commercial driver’s licenses:
H - Authorizes the driver to drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials;
K - Restricts the driver to only intrastate operation;
L - Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes;
T - Authorizes the driver to drive double and triple trailers;
P - Authorizes the driver to drive vehicles carrying passengers;
P1 - Authorizes the driver to drive class A vehicles with less than fifteen passengers and all lesser classes of vehicles without restriction as to the number of passengers;
P2 - Authorizes the driver to drive class A or B vehicles with less than fifteen passengers and all lesser classes of vehicles without restriction as to the number of passengers.
P3 - Restricts the driver to driving class B school buses;
P4 - Restricts the driver to driving class C school Buses designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver;
N - Authorizes the driver to drive tank vehicles;
S - Authorizes the driver to drive school uses;
X - Authorizes the driver to drive tank vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
No person shall drive any commercial motor vehicle for which an endorsement is required under this section unless the proper endorsement appears on the person’s commercial driver’s license.
(d) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(Ord. 189-00. Passed 11-27-00.)