Commercial trucks and buses are vital to Texas’s economy, but their size and complexity also create serious risks on the state’s highways. Because these vehicles require specialized skill to operate, Texas law requires drivers to hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Understanding the different types of CDLs and the rules governing commercial drivers can be important after a truck or bus accident.
This article explains the types of commercial driver’s licenses in Texas, the special rules that apply, who could be liable when a commercial driver causes a crash, the kinds of damages victims can recover, and how a personal injury lawyer can assist victims.
What Is a Commercial Driver’s License?
A Commercial Driver’s License is a special license required to operate large or hazardous vehicles used in commerce. Texas follows federal standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Commercial vehicle drivers must meet higher training, testing, and medical requirements than ordinary motorists. This is because commercial vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and require advanced skills to operate safely.
The Three Main Types of CDLs in Texas
Texas recognizes three basic classes of CDLs based on vehicle size and configuration.
Class A CDL
A Class A license allows a driver to operate combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more, where the towed unit weighs more than 10,000 pounds. This is the license most long-haul truck drivers hold.
Typical Class A vehicles include:
- Tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers
- Flatbed trucks and trailers
- Tanker trailers
- Livestock haulers
Class A drivers can also operate vehicles covered by Class B and C licenses if they hold the proper endorsements.
Class B CDL
A Class B license permits operation of a single vehicle weighing 26,001 pounds or more, or a vehicle towing a unit that weighs less than 10,000 pounds.
Common class B vehicles include:
- Dump trucks
- Concrete mixers
- Delivery trucks
- City buses
- Large straight trucks
These vehicles are not tractor-trailers but are still heavy enough to cause catastrophic injuries in a crash.
Class C CDL
A Class C license covers vehicles that do not meet Class A or Class B weight thresholds but are designed to transport:
- 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or
- Hazardous materials requiring placards
Examples include small passenger buses, airport shuttles, and vehicles carrying dangerous chemicals.
Special Rules Governing Commercial Drivers
CDL holders are subject to stricter rules than ordinary drivers.
Key requirements include:
- Hours-of-service limits: Drivers may operate only a certain number of hours before mandatory rest. These rules are designed to prevent fatigue, a leading cause of truck accidents.
- Medical certification: Commercial drivers must pass regular medical exams to ensure they can safely operate heavy vehicles.
- Drug and alcohol testing: CDL holders face pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing with lower alcohol thresholds than regular drivers.
- Vehicle inspections: Drivers must perform daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report mechanical problems.
Violations of these rules often play a central role in injury claims.
Who May Be Liable if a Commercial Driver Causes an Accident?
Unlike ordinary car crashes, commercial vehicle cases often involve multiple responsible parties, such as:
- Truck or bus driver: A driver may be liable for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue from violating hours-of-service rules, or driving under the influence.
- Trucking or transportation company: Employers can be responsible for hiring unqualified drivers, failing to train, pressuring drivers to break safety rules, or poor maintenance.
- Cargo loaders or shippers: Improperly secured or overweight cargo can cause rollovers and jackknife crashes.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers: Defective brakes, tires, or steering systems may make manufacturers liable.
- Third parties: Maintenance contractors, brokers, or other drivers may share liability depending on the facts.
Identifying every liable party is essential to obtaining full compensation.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Commercial vehicle cases are far more complex than ordinary accidents.
A personal injury lawyer can help by:
- Identifying the correct CDL class and endorsements involved
- Obtaining federal compliance records
- Preserving black box and logbook data
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
- Negotiating with large commercial insurers
- Filing a lawsuit when a fair settlement is refused
Seeking compensation after a truck accident can involve unique technical and legal challenges. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you when you encounter these complicated issues.
Contact the Austin Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
The type of commercial driver’s license a motorist holds tells you a great deal about the training and rules they are required to follow. Understanding CDL classifications, endorsements, and safety standards helps victims uncover what went wrong after an accident.
If you have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, contact McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our Austin commercial vehicle accident attorneys can help you pursue full compensation and recover from an accident involving a truck, bus, or other commercial vehicle.
If you’ve been injured, contact your nearest McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Austin, TX, and Salt Lake City, UT.
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers – Austin, TX Office
502 W 14th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-0222
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City, UT Office
650 S 500 W Suite 290, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(385) 462-7630
