31-7-304. Issuance; classifications and endorsements.

(a) Commercial driver's licenses may be issued with the following classifications and endorsements. The holder of a valid commercial driver's license may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued and all lesser classes of vehicles except motorcycles and vehicles which require a separate endorsement, unless the proper endorsement appears on the license:

(i) Classifications:

(A) Class "A" consists of any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand one (26,001) pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds;

(B) Class "B" consists of any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one (26,001) or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle which is not in excess of ten thousand (10,000) pounds;

(C) Class "C" consists of any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of a class "A" or class "B" vehicle as contained herein, but that either is designed to transport sixteen (16) or more passengers including the driver or is placarded for transportation of hazardous materials.

(ii) The following driver's license endorsements are special authorizations permitting the driver to operate certain types of motor vehicles or transport certain types of cargo if the endorsement is displayed on the driver's license:

(A) "H" authorizes the operation of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials;

(B) "N" authorizes the operation of a vehicle which is designed to transport as its primary cargo any liquid, bulk or gaseous material within a tank having a designed capacity of one thousand (1,000) gallons or more and attached to the vehicle;

(C) "P" authorizes the driver to operate a bus or any motor vehicle as defined in W.S. 31-7-102(a)(iii) used for the transportation of passengers, providing the licensed driver has attained the age of eighteen (18) years;

(D) "T" authorizes a class "A" vehicle to be operated while pulling more than one (1) trailer;

(E) "X" represents a combination of "H" and "N" endorsements;

(F) Repealed By Laws 2004, Chapter 11, § 2.

(G) "S" authorizes the driver to operate a bus or any motor vehicle as defined in W.S. 31-7-102(a)(iii) used for the transportation of preschool, elementary or secondary school students from home to school, school to home or to and from school sponsored events.

(b) Before issuing a commercial driver's license, the department shall obtain driving record information through the commercial driver license information system, through the National Driver Register, and from each state in which the person has been licensed.

(c) Within ten (10) days after issuing a commercial driver's license, the department shall notify the commercial driver license information system of the issuance and provide all information required to ensure identification of the person.

(d) The commercial driver's license shall expire as provided by W.S. 31-7-119.

(e) When applying for renewal of a commercial driver's license, the applicant must complete the application form required by W.S. 31-7-111 and provide updated information and required certifications. The written test for a hazardous materials endorsement must be taken and passed if the person wants to retain an "H" endorsement.

(f) Before issuing or renewing a commercial driver's license or at any time before an applicant's current federal medical qualification certificate expires, the department shall require that the applicant present a current federal medical qualification certificate.

(g) Before applying for a commercial driver's license, an applicant shall have held a commercial learner's permit in this state or another state for not less than fourteen (14) days.