Florida Statutes 322.54 – Classification
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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(1) Except as provided in s. 322.53, effective April 1, 1992, a person may not drive any motor vehicle not authorized by the classification of his or her driver license.
(2) The department shall issue, pursuant to the requirements of this chapter, driver licenses in accordance with the following classifications:
For details, see Fla. Stat. § 775.082(4)(a)
(a) Any person who drives a motor vehicle combination having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more must possess a valid Class A driver license, if the gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. Any person who possesses a valid Class A driver license may, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements, drive any class of motor vehicle within this state.
Attorney's Note
Under the Florida Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| misdemeanor of the first degree | up to 1 year | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Florida Statutes 322.54
- Commercial driver license: means a Class A, Class B, or Class C driver license issued in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Commercial motor vehicle: means any motor vehicle or motor vehicle combination used on the streets or highways, which:(a) Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more;(b) Is designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the driver; or(c) Is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 C. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Department: means the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles acting directly or through its duly authorized representatives. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Drive: means to operate or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle in any place open to the general public for purposes of vehicular traffic. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Driver license: means a certificate that, subject to all other requirements of law, authorizes an individual to drive a motor vehicle and denotes an operator's license as defined in 49 U. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Endorsement: means a special authorization which permits a driver to drive certain types of vehicles or to transport certain types of property or a certain number of passengers. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Gross vehicle weight rating: means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a single, combination, or articulated vehicle. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Motor vehicle: means any self-propelled vehicle, including a motor vehicle combination, not operated upon rails or guideway, excluding vehicles moved solely by human power, motorized wheelchairs, and electric bicycles as defined in…. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Motor vehicle combination: means a motor vehicle operated in conjunction with one or more other vehicles. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- Resident: means a person who has his or her principal place of domicile in this state for a period of more than 6 consecutive months, has registered to vote, has made a statement of domicile pursuant to…. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- State: means a state or possession of the United States, and, for the purposes of this chapter, includes the District of Columbia. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Vehicle: means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway or operated upon rails or guideway, except a bicycle, motorized wheelchair, or electric bicycle. See Florida Statutes 322.01
(b) Any person, except a person who possesses a valid Class A driver license, who drives a motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more must possess a valid Class B driver license. Any person, except a person who possesses a valid Class A driver license, who drives such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less must possess a valid Class B driver license. Any person who possesses a valid Class B driver license may, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements, drive any class of motor vehicle, other than the type of motor vehicle for which a Class A driver license is required, within this state.(c) Any person, except a person who possesses a valid Class A or a valid Class B driver license, who drives a motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds and who is required to obtain an endorsement pursuant to paragraph (1)(b), paragraph (1)(c), or paragraph (1)(e) of s. 322.57, must possess a valid Class C driver license. Any person who possesses a valid Class C driver license may, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements, drive any class of motor vehicle, other than the type of motor vehicle for which a Class A or a Class B driver license is required, within this state.(d) Any person, except a person who possesses a valid Class A, valid Class B, or valid Class C driver license, who drives a motor vehicle must possess a valid Class E driver license. Any person who possesses a valid Class E driver license may, subject to the appropriate restrictions and endorsements, drive any type of motor vehicle, other than the type of motor vehicle for which a Class A, Class B, or Class C driver license is required, within this state.
(3) Subject to paragraphs (a) and (b), nothing in this section prohibits a person who is not a resident of this state and who possesses a valid driver license issued by another jurisdiction from driving a motor vehicle within this state.
(a) Any nonresident who drives a commercial motor vehicle within this state must possess a valid commercial driver license issued in substantial compliance with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986.
(b) The department shall enter into agreements with other jurisdictions to implement and administer this subsection.
(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), any person who operates a commercial motor vehicle and who does not possess a valid commercial driver license authorizing such operation is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) Any person whose commercial driver license has been expired for a period of 30 days or less and who drives a commercial motor vehicle within this state is guilty of a nonmoving violation, punishable as provided in s. 318.18.