North Dakota has five classes of operators licenses. Each class requires its own written examination and a demonstration of driving skill for that class of license. The tests, except for hazardous material and school bus may be waived for an out-of-state driver obtaining equivalent North Dakota drivers license unless the driver is unable to present the actual license, or a physical impairment exists, or driving record is unclear.

Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. (Holders of a Class A license may operate Class B, C, and D vehicle groups, but not a Class M.)

Class B: Any single vehicle with gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more and any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds. (Holders of a Class B license may operate Class C and D vehicles groups, but not Class M.)

Class C: Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds comprising :

Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; and

Vehicles used in the transportation of hazardous materials under 49 CFR Part 172

(placarded material) and 42 CFR part 73.

Holders of a Class C license may operate a Class vehicle, but not a Class M vehicle.

Class D: Any single vehicle less than 26,001 pounds GVWR; may tow vehicles not in excess of 10,000 pounds. Trucks towing trailers, semi-trailers, or farm trailers not over 16,000 pounds gross weight; not to exceed 26,000 Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR). Not valid for Class A,B,C, or M.

Class M: Any two or three wheeled motorcycle.

The following may also be operated on a Class D License:

1.   Age 14 or 15 may drive a farm vehicle within 150 miles of driver’s farm, having a gross weight of not more than 50,000 pounds, when transporting agricultural products or farm supplies.

2.  Any two-axle, tandem axle, or truck-tractor farm vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer transporting agricultural products,  farm machines, or farm supplies to or from a farm within 150 miles of the person’s farm.Farm vehicle may tow a trailer, semi-trailer, or farm trailer except double, triple trailers or, if under 18 years of age, a truck-tractor.

3.  Any farm vehicle operated by a farmer may transport hazardous material within 150 miles of the farm without a hazardous material endorsement on the operator’s license.

4. Emergency vehicles, RV, camper, certain construction equipment, and vehicles driven by active duty members for military purposes.

Commercial Driver License Endorsements:

H endorsement needed to transport hazardous materials that require placarding.

N endorsement needed to transport liquid or gaseous materials (cargo tanks).

P endorsement needed to operate vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons including the driver.

S endorsement needed to operate a school bus designed to transport 16 or more persons including the driver.

T endorsement needed to tow double or triple trailers.

Airbrake Safety Message

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters is dangerous because it gives the vehicle operator a false sense of security about the effectiveness of the braking system. (H-06-3)