Chapter 9Chapter 9

General Information for General Information for

Class D “Chauffeur’s” Class D “Chauffeur’s” LicenseLicense

Class “D” Chauffeur’s Class “D” Chauffeur’s LicenseLicense

This license permits the operation of This license permits the operation of any single vehicle used in commerce if any single vehicle used in commerce if the vehicle… the vehicle… Has a gross vehicle weight of 10,001 or Has a gross vehicle weight of 10,001 or

more lbs but less than 26,001more lbs but less than 26,001 Has a combination of vehicles if they have Has a combination of vehicles if they have

a combined gross weight of 10,001 or more a combined gross weight of 10,001 or more lbs but less than 26,001 lbs inclusive of a lbs but less than 26,001 lbs inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight of towed unit with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 lbs and not utilized in more than 10,000 lbs and not utilized in the transportation of hazardous materials.the transportation of hazardous materials.

Class “D” Chauffeur’s Class “D” Chauffeur’s LicenseLicense

This license may be used for This license may be used for transportation of passengers for hire or transportation of passengers for hire or fee provided the usage thereof does not fee provided the usage thereof does not fall within the definition of vehicles in fall within the definition of vehicles in classes “A”, “B”, or “C”. classes “A”, “B”, or “C”.

A class “D” license allows for operation A class “D” license allows for operation of those vehicles in the class “E” of those vehicles in the class “E” category.category.

You must be at least 17 years of age to You must be at least 17 years of age to obtain a Class “D” license.obtain a Class “D” license.

Vehicle SizeVehicle Size Maximum width:Maximum width:

8 feet (ft.) for most vehicles. The load will not 8 feet (ft.) for most vehicles. The load will not project more than 6 inches (in.) beyond the width of project more than 6 inches (in.) beyond the width of the body.the body.

8 ft. 6 in. for buses.8 ft. 6 in. for buses. Maximum height:Maximum height:

13 ft. 6 in. for all vehicles (Some overpasses or other 13 ft. 6 in. for all vehicles (Some overpasses or other structures have clearance of LESS than 13’6”).structures have clearance of LESS than 13’6”).

Maximum length:Maximum length: 40 ft. for any single vehicle (including the load).40 ft. for any single vehicle (including the load). 65 ft. for truck-tractor and trailer combination.65 ft. for truck-tractor and trailer combination.

These limits do not apply to auto carriers, These limits do not apply to auto carriers, trailers hauling poles or pilings, or trailers trailers hauling poles or pilings, or trailers hauling logs when operating during daylight hauling logs when operating during daylight hours.hours.

Loads Loads Securing loads:Securing loads:

Contents must not be allowed to drop, shift, leak Contents must not be allowed to drop, shift, leak or otherwise escape.or otherwise escape.

The load must be securely fastened so the The load must be securely fastened so the covering or load does not come loose, or in any covering or load does not come loose, or in any manner become a hazard to other motorists.manner become a hazard to other motorists.

Loads must not extend more than 4 ft. to the Loads must not extend more than 4 ft. to the front of the vehicle or more than 8 ft. beyond front of the vehicle or more than 8 ft. beyond the rear of the vehicle except poles, pilings the rear of the vehicle except poles, pilings and logs may project 15 ft. beyond the and logs may project 15 ft. beyond the rearmost part of the trailer. If it does extend rearmost part of the trailer. If it does extend past 4 ft., a red flag 12 in. square must be past 4 ft., a red flag 12 in. square must be attached during daylight hours. At night, a attached during daylight hours. At night, a red light must be attached, visible from at red light must be attached, visible from at least 500 ft. away.least 500 ft. away.

Driving Driving

Maximum speed for any vehicle in Maximum speed for any vehicle in LA is 70 mph except:LA is 70 mph except: When pulling or towing another motor When pulling or towing another motor

vehicle the sped limit is 45 mph.vehicle the sped limit is 45 mph. School buses are limited to 35 mph School buses are limited to 35 mph

when frequently stopping to load or when frequently stopping to load or unload children.unload children.

Where a lower speed limit is posted.Where a lower speed limit is posted.

Following DistanceFollowing Distance

On rural highways outside business On rural highways outside business or residential areas, drivers of motor or residential areas, drivers of motor trucks must not follow within 400 ft. trucks must not follow within 400 ft. of one another except to passof one another except to pass

Also, high beam headlights must be Also, high beam headlights must be dimmed no less than 500 ft. from dimmed no less than 500 ft. from oncoming traffic and 200 ft. of a oncoming traffic and 200 ft. of a vehicle being followed.vehicle being followed.

Coasting Coasting

You must not let your vehicle coast You must not let your vehicle coast downhill with the clutch disengaged.downhill with the clutch disengaged.

You must not let your vehicle coast You must not let your vehicle coast downhill with the gear in neutraldownhill with the gear in neutral

Railroad StopsRailroad Stops

You must stop within 50 ft. but not You must stop within 50 ft. but not closer than 15 ft. from the nearest closer than 15 ft. from the nearest rail.rail.

You must not change gears until you You must not change gears until you have completely crossed over the have completely crossed over the tracks.tracks.

This will not apply to street-rail This will not apply to street-rail crossings within a business or crossings within a business or residential district.residential district.

EquipmentEquipment

Fire ExtinguisherFire Extinguisher Fenders and MudguardsFenders and Mudguards Warning EquipmentWarning Equipment

Fire ExtinguishersFire Extinguishers Vehicles transporting passengers for hire Vehicles transporting passengers for hire

must be equipped with at least a 2-BC fire must be equipped with at least a 2-BC fire extinguisher, completely filled and in extinguisher, completely filled and in working condition.working condition.

Tow trucks must be equipped with at least Tow trucks must be equipped with at least one 4-BC fire extinguisher capable of one 4-BC fire extinguisher capable of extinguishing flammable liquid fires, extinguishing flammable liquid fires, completely filled and in working condition.completely filled and in working condition.

Motor vehicles transporting explosives Motor vehicles transporting explosives must be equipped with at least 1 fire must be equipped with at least 1 fire extinguisher with a rating of at least 10-extinguisher with a rating of at least 10-BC, completely filled and in working BC, completely filled and in working condition.condition.

Fenders and MudguardsFenders and Mudguards

Every truck must have a device Every truck must have a device (“mud flap”) to minimize the spray (“mud flap”) to minimize the spray or splash of water or mud or loose or splash of water or mud or loose road surface material to the rear.road surface material to the rear.

Warning EquipmentWarning Equipment Freight carrying vehicles and passenger buses Freight carrying vehicles and passenger buses

must carry:must carry: Three (3) flares, 3 electric red lanterns OR 3 red Three (3) flares, 3 electric red lanterns OR 3 red

portable reflectors.portable reflectors. Two (2) 12-inch square red cloth flags with standards.Two (2) 12-inch square red cloth flags with standards.

Trucks carrying explosives, flammable liquids, Trucks carrying explosives, flammable liquids, compressed gasses or using compressed gas as a compressed gasses or using compressed gas as a fuel must use red electric lanterns or red fuel must use red electric lanterns or red emergency reflectors only. Flares or fuses are not emergency reflectors only. Flares or fuses are not allowed.allowed.

Use equipment immediately when you break down.Use equipment immediately when you break down. Place 1 signal 100 ft. behind and 100 ft. forward of Place 1 signal 100 ft. behind and 100 ft. forward of

the truck in the center of the lane or shoulder.the truck in the center of the lane or shoulder. The 3The 3rdrd signal must be on the traffic side of the signal must be on the traffic side of the

truck 10 ft. to the front or rear.truck 10 ft. to the front or rear.

Trailers and Towed Trailers and Towed VehiclesVehicles

When towing another vehicle, the When towing another vehicle, the draw bar or other connection will be draw bar or other connection will be of sufficient strength to pull all towed of sufficient strength to pull all towed weight and will not exceed 15 ft.weight and will not exceed 15 ft.

An exception: An exception: Distance can exceed 15 ft. when Distance can exceed 15 ft. when

transporting poles, pipes, machinery or transporting poles, pipes, machinery or other objects which cannot be readily other objects which cannot be readily dismembered.dismembered.

MirrorsMirrors

A rear view mirror must reflect a A rear view mirror must reflect a view of the highway for a distance of view of the highway for a distance of 200 ft. to the rear.200 ft. to the rear.

This is regardless of the load of the This is regardless of the load of the vehicle.vehicle.

Lights Lights

No motor vehicle will be driven when No motor vehicle will be driven when any of the required lamps or reflectors any of the required lamps or reflectors are obscured by the tailboard, by any are obscured by the tailboard, by any part of the load, by dirt or otherwise.part of the load, by dirt or otherwise.

Tail lights must be visible for 1000 ft. to Tail lights must be visible for 1000 ft. to the rear.the rear.

Reflectors must be visible from 600 ft. Reflectors must be visible from 600 ft. Clearance lights must be visible from Clearance lights must be visible from

500 ft.500 ft.

Brakes Brakes

All trailers or semi-trailers with a gross vehicle All trailers or semi-trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of 3000 lbs or more must be weight rating of 3000 lbs or more must be equipped with brakes adequate to stop and equipped with brakes adequate to stop and hold it.hold it.

Care should be used to avoid excessive use of Care should be used to avoid excessive use of brakes on long downgrades.brakes on long downgrades.

Drivers should use engine compression as the Drivers should use engine compression as the principal means of controlling speed on long principal means of controlling speed on long grades.grades.

If your brakes should fail on a level road, you If your brakes should fail on a level road, you should downshift and use engine compression should downshift and use engine compression to slow down.to slow down.

Air BrakesAir Brakes Air brakes use compressed air to make Air brakes use compressed air to make

the brakes work.the brakes work. They are a safe way of stopping large They are a safe way of stopping large

vehicles and are 3 braking systems vehicles and are 3 braking systems combined:combined: The service brake system refers to the use The service brake system refers to the use

of the brake pedal during normal driving.of the brake pedal during normal driving. The parking brake system refers to the use The parking brake system refers to the use

of the parking brakes control.of the parking brakes control. The emergency brake system refers to the The emergency brake system refers to the

use of part of the service and parking use of part of the service and parking brake’s system to stop the vehicle in the brake’s system to stop the vehicle in the event of a brake system failure.event of a brake system failure.

Parts of an Air Brake Parts of an Air Brake SystemSystem

Inspecting the Air Brake Inspecting the Air Brake SystemSystem

The following 3 part air brake check must be The following 3 part air brake check must be performed:performed: Step 1: With the engine running, build the air Step 1: With the engine running, build the air

pressure to governed cut-out (100-125 psi). Check pressure to governed cut-out (100-125 psi). Check the air gauge to see if the pressure drops more the air gauge to see if the pressure drops more than 3 lbs in one minute.than 3 lbs in one minute.

Step 2: Turn the key to the “on” position (Step 2: Turn the key to the “on” position (withoutwithout starting the engine). Fan off the air pressure by starting the engine). Fan off the air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the food brake. rapidly applying and releasing the food brake. Low air warning devices should activate before Low air warning devices should activate before pressure drops below 60 psi.pressure drops below 60 psi.

Step 3: Continue o fan off the air pressure. At Step 3: Continue o fan off the air pressure. At approximately 20-40 psi, the parking brake valve approximately 20-40 psi, the parking brake valve should close (pop out).should close (pop out).

Inspecting the Air Brake Inspecting the Air Brake System cont.System cont.

The following items must also be inspected The following items must also be inspected prior to operating a vehicle equipped with prior to operating a vehicle equipped with air brakes:air brakes: Air compressor drive belt.Air compressor drive belt. Manual slack adjusters on S-cam brakes.Manual slack adjusters on S-cam brakes. Brake drums (or discs), linings and hoses.Brake drums (or discs), linings and hoses. Rate of air pressure buildup.Rate of air pressure buildup. Air compressor governor cut-in and cut-out Air compressor governor cut-in and cut-out

pressures.pressures. Test parking brakeTest parking brake Test service brake.Test service brake.

Using the Air BrakesUsing the Air Brakes

Emergency StopsEmergency Stops Stopping DistanceStopping Distance Low Air Pressure WarningLow Air Pressure Warning Brake Fading or FailureBrake Fading or Failure Parking BrakesParking Brakes

Emergency StopsEmergency Stops

Brake so your vehicle stays in a straight Brake so your vehicle stays in a straight line. Use one of the following 2 line. Use one of the following 2 methods:methods: Controlled braking – put on brakes as hard Controlled braking – put on brakes as hard

as you can as you can withoutwithout locking the wheels locking the wheels (don’t turn wheel).(don’t turn wheel).

Stab braking Stab braking Press the brake pedal as hard as you can.Press the brake pedal as hard as you can. Release the brakes when the wheels lock up.Release the brakes when the wheels lock up. As soon as the wheels start rolling, put on the As soon as the wheels start rolling, put on the

brakes fully again.brakes fully again.

Stopping DistanceStopping Distance

Air brakes take a little more time (one Air brakes take a little more time (one half second or more) for the air to half second or more) for the air to flow through the lines to the brakes.flow through the lines to the brakes.

The total stopping distance for The total stopping distance for vehicles with air brake systems is vehicles with air brake systems is made up of 4 different factors:made up of 4 different factors: Perception distancePerception distance Reaction distance Reaction distance Brake lag distanceBrake lag distance Effective braking distanceEffective braking distance

Low Air Pressure Low Air Pressure WarningWarning

If the low air pressure warning If the low air pressure warning comes on…comes on… Stop your vehicleStop your vehicle Safely park your vehicle as soon as Safely park your vehicle as soon as

possiblepossible

Brake Fading or FailureBrake Fading or Failure

Brakes can fade or fail from excessive Brakes can fade or fail from excessive heat caused by using them too much heat caused by using them too much and not relying on the engine braking and not relying on the engine braking effect or improper adjustment.effect or improper adjustment.

Parking BrakesParking Brakes

Any time you park, use the parking brakes Any time you park, use the parking brakes unless:unless: The brakes are vey hot (from having come The brakes are vey hot (from having come

down a steep grade).down a steep grade). The brakes are very wet in freezing The brakes are very wet in freezing

temperatures.temperatures.

NOTE: For more complete and detailed NOTE: For more complete and detailed information about air brakes, please refer information about air brakes, please refer to the Louisiana Driver’s Manual for to the Louisiana Driver’s Manual for Commercial Vehicle Driver Licensing.Commercial Vehicle Driver Licensing.