(A) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
COMMERCIAL CAR or COMMERCIAL TRUCK. Any motor vehicle that has motor power and is designed and used for carrying merchandise or freight, or that is used as a commercial tractor.
COMMERCIAL TRACTOR. Except as defined in R.C. § 4501.01(C), means any motor vehicle that has motive power and either is designed or used for drawing other motor vehicles, or is designed or used for drawing another motor vehicle while carrying a portion of the other motor vehicle or its load, or both.
OWNER. Any person or firm, other than a manufacturer or dealer that has title to a motor vehicle, except that, in R.C. §§ 4505.01 to 4505.19, OWNER includes in addition manufacturers and dealers.
(R.C. § 4501.01) ('80 Code, § 72.110)
(B) No person shall drive a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in R.C. § 4506.01, or a commercial car or commercial tractor, as defined in R.C. § 4501.01, while the person’s ability or alertness is so impaired by fatigue, illness, or other causes that it is unsafe for the person to drive such vehicle. No driver shall use any drug which would adversely affect the driver’s ability or alertness.
(C) No owner, as defined in R.C. § 4501.01, of a commercial motor vehicle, commercial car or commercial tractor, or a person employing or otherwise directing the driver of such vehicle, shall require or knowingly permit a driver in any such condition described in division (A) of this section to drive such vehicle upon any street or highway.
(D) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of this section or R.C. § 4511.79, or R.C. §§ 4511.63, 4511.76, 4511.761, 4511.762, 4511.764, or 4511.77 or a municipal ordinance that is substantially equivalent to any of those sections, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(R.C. § 4511.79) ('80 Code, § 72.111) Penalty, see § 70.99