Assigned to TRANSIT FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to TRANSIT FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
commercial vehicles definition; driver licenses
Purpose
Allows a class D license holder to operate a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver license (CDL) and increases gross vehicle weight rating for vehicles used for intrastate commerce for the purposes of commercial vehicle classification.
Background
Current statute requires a person to hold a class D license to operate: 1) a single motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less; 2) a motor vehicle with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds and tows a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more and the combined gross weight is less than 26,000 pounds; and 3) a motorized touring vehicle. A person may operate a vehicle without a CDL license if the vehicle has been issued a historic vehicle license plate and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) provides necessary vehicle registration records (A.R.S. § 28-3101).
Statute defines a commercial motor vehicle as a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles that is designed and used to transport passengers or property for a commercial enterprise, that is not exempt from statutory gross weight fees, and that include any of the following: a) a single vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight of 18,000 pounds or more used for intrastate commerce; b) a single vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more used for interstate commerce; c) a school bus; d) a bus; e) a vehicle designed to for 8 or more persons used to transport passengers for hire; and f) a vehicle used to transport hazardous materials (A.R.S. § 28-4201).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Permits a class D licensee to operate a commercial motor vehicle without a CDL license if the vehicle is not towing a trailer or transporting goods, is not driven across state lines, is not transporting hazardous materials and any of the following apply:
a) the vehicle is being driven to determine existence of mechanical problems or if mechanical problems are fixed;
b) an employee of a licensed motor vehicle is driving the vehicle between dealers or to a customer; or
c) ADOT issues a farm vehicle license plate for the vehicle.
2. Increases, from 18,000 pounds to 26,000 pounds, the gross vehicle weight rating for the commercial motor vehicle classification for a single commercial motor vehicle used for intrastate commerce.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Contains an applicability clause.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
TI 2/14/18 DP 8-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/21/18 60-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 16, 2018
KN/CU/lat