Airbrake Endorsement. Is it mandatory with Class A

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by mjfreespirit, Oct 25, 2014.

  1. mjfreespirit

    mjfreespirit Light Load Member

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    Me and another company driver had an argument this evening. He said NO state will issue a Class A license without Airbrake endorsement. Is this true? FMCSA regulations 383.110 (20)(b) only require the Airbrake endorsement when a driver must operate a vehicle that is equipped with them. His argument was there is no Airbrake endorsement. I told him he's right, But there is an Airbrake restriction.

    Anyone know the true answer?

    Just to make it clear, the argument was, in his words "A state will not issue you a class a license without you having took your Airbrake Endorsement test"

    I dissented and told him about the Airbrake Restriction exist but that Airbrake endorsements do not exist.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2014
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  3. ew2108

    ew2108 Road Train Member

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    YOu need the Airbrake endorsement better than 90% of class a trucks have air brakes
     
  4. SLCTrucker

    SLCTrucker Medium Load Member

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    Airbrakes is not a endorsement, its a restriction on the license & without it you can not operate a vehicle with airbrakes.
     
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  5. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Where there are lots of vehicles in service in the Ag sector mostly, without Air brakes, they do issue a license for that, but the only place I had seen was Minnesota. I had an Iowa license so it wasn't restricted and I could dive legally anything they had.

    The cooperative operated in MN,too though, so I was told about the restriction.
     
  6. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    air brakes is a endorsement, you do not have to have it. thats is the answer to your question, but as already stated I have n idea why you would get a class a without it. Nothing known in our world to drive with out it.
     
  7. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    I think Air is what the "A" in "Class A" means. You're not going to get a "Class A" license and not have "air" certification. Which is why virtually every ad looking for truck drivers says "Class A drivers wanted"
     
  8. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    endorsement ===> something added to make you qualified to use something.

    restriction ====. something added to indicate you can't use it or do it.

    While it is true that a class A normally requires an airbrake written test to be completed and a truck with air brakes for the road test, it does not mean it is an endorsement. Failing to fulfill the last part of the requirements - testing with a truck without air brakes gets you the restriction as does failing the written test.
     
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  9. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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  10. mjfreespirit

    mjfreespirit Light Load Member

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    Thanks guys. This was solely a debate between me and one of the other company drivers where I work. We both have our full Class A license with Airbrakes and what-have-you
     
  11. FwL

    FwL Medium Load Member

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    This is probably a stare-by-state thing.

    In Idaho you can most certainly get a Class A with air brakes restriction.

    A Ford 550 with a dump bed pulling a Bobcat on a trailer qualifies as a Class A vehicle without air brakes.
     
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