Question, if you take the Class A in a hotshot, will you be barred from driving Class B trucks?

This is considered Class A if the trailer causes the combined vehicles to have a GCWR of more than 26,000 pounds.

from my understanding, if the vehicle lacks air brakes, you’ll have an L restriction whereas you’ll also have an O restriction because it obviously don’t have a fifth wheel but does the O restriction at LEAST allow the operation of trucks more than 26,000 pounds?

 

Class A allows you to drive a straight truck.
BUT you will have to have air brake test, or drive straight truck with hydraulic brakes.

O restriction if it doesn’t have a 5th wheel OR pintle hook.

 

What if the Class A has an “O” restriction? I thought that would prohibit you from driving any bus or truck more than 26,000 pounds GVWR (trucks and buses) because technically, the “O” restriction means you took the Class A test in a pick-up truck less than 26,001 pounds.

 

Drivers | FMCSA


A Class A cdl with an O restriction does not prevent you from driving a straight truck.

An L restriction would however prevent you from driving a straight truck equipped with air brakes.

 

Why not just go get your full Class A with no restrictions? Its not hard.

 

GO take the road test with an air brake truck and trailer. don't mess around with these restrictions.

These restrictions are really ineffective and stupid.

 

I agree with you, however, it can be much easier for someone to have access to a pickup and a gooseneck than finding a truck with airbrakes and/or a 5th wheel.

 

I don’t know why he’d want to drive a straight truck with an A license? Backing a straight to a dock. The wheel turns the truck the wrong way!