SENATE BILL NO. 305 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-341.16 of the Code of Virginia, relating to vehicle classifications and endorsements; school buses. ---------- Patron-- Williams ---------- Referred to Committee on Transportation ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 46.2-341.16 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-341.16. Vehicle classifications and endorsements.

A. A commercial driver's license shall authorize the licensee to operate only the classes and types of commercial motor vehicles designated thereon. The classes of commercial motor vehicles for which such license may be issued are:

1. Class A-Combination heavy vehicle. - Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds;

2. Class B-Heavy straight vehicle or other combination. - Any single motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of 10,000 pounds; and

3. Class C-Small vehicle. - Any vehicle that does not fit the definition of a Class A or Class B vehicle and is either (i) designed to transport sixteen or more passengers including the driver or (ii) is used in the transportation of hazardous materials.

B. Commercial driver's licenses shall be issued with endorsements and restrictions authorizing the driver to operate or restricting the driver to the types of vehicles identified as follows:

1. Type T-Vehicles with double or triple trailers;

2. Type P-Vehicles carrying passengers;

3. Type N-Vehicles with cargo tanks;

4. Type H-Vehicles required to be placarded for hazardous materials; and

5. Type K-Vehicles not equipped with air brakes.; and

6. Type S-School buses carrying 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

C. Persons authorized to drive Class A vehicles are also authorized to drive Classes B and C vehicles, provided such persons possess the requisite endorsements for the type of vehicle driven.

D. Persons authorized to drive Class B vehicles are also authorized to drive Class C vehicles, provided such persons possess the requisite endorsements for the type of vehicle driven.

E. Any licensee who seeks to add a classification or endorsement to his commercial driver's license must submit the application forms, certifications and other updated information required by the Department and shall take and successfully complete the tests required for such classification or endorsement.