Illinois Drivers Licensce Classification

[knowles]

What classification of drivers license are you requiring your FFs to have on your respective departments to drive the fire vehicles in Illinois? We have a trooper on our dept and he has been thru a lot of training recently and informed us that if we are using the vehicle in its "official capacity" (responding, returning, training, etc), all that is needed is the regular Class D.

But the problem comes in if we need to take the vehicles for service, parades, etc, then we may be breaking the law and actually need a Class B (I believe). We have many FFs with CDLs and it hasnt been a problem in the past, but we are looking down the road and I am just gathering thoughts from other depts on what their policy is.

Your thoughts?

John

http://www.geocities.com/mountolivefd

[jaybird210]

John-

I think your trooper is wrong-o. Our lawyers have reviewed the matter (oddly enough, just recently), and after checking the IL Motor Vehicle Code it is clear that any vehicle that has a GVWR over 16,000 lbs. must have the proper class ("B").

Basically, that's anything bigger than an Econoline ambulance or pickup/squad.

If your dept runs an ambo on a Navistar/Freightliner chassis, they need a Class B non-CDL also.

Now, is it a big deal? Will you get a ticket? Probably not, so long as the operator doesn't crash. If he/she does and they didn't have the proper class: wooee, hang on. Protect yourself; require the Class B non-CDL and help your operators get it (it's actually quite easy to get).


Edited to change the weight to 16,000. Jack is right!:D

[pcfdcap1]

We are also exempt from vehicle with air brakes endorsement.

[ChiefReason]

pc:
We require a Class B or CDL. The reason: we train everyone to drive and pump, because we can't pick and choose at the time of the alarm who is going to drive. We license and train everyone to operate the trucks. The CDL drivers certainly have more experience, but everyone has the minimum.
CR

[jboczek]

Our drivers have to have a B, non CDL. The Class D license is actually good for up to 16,000 lbs. In our case, that catches our pickups and service trucks, since they're older ambulances and the GVWR isn't over 16,000. Anything bigger than that, the drivers have to have at least a Class B. We've been told by the DL facility that we do indeed have to have the proper weight class, non CDL, and we don't need the air brake endorsement.

[pcfdcap1]

In January we finally amended our by-laws to require everybody to have at least a class B non CDL

[BVFD1983]

Class B, non-CDL.

[ChiefReason]

BVFD1983:
Saw one of your trucks last Friday going to a burner just off the Kickapoo exit. Were you driving?
Anyway, most small departments don't have a hard/fast SOG on drivers. It's the insurance company who has the fits. You should find out what they want. Imagine if a rig is involved in an accident. As soon as it is discovered that the drivers' license isn't the proper class, the whole "then are you qualified to operate an emergency vehicle" comes in to play. Having a properly classed drivers' license will definitely CYA if, God forbid, something should happen. It isn't a catch all. Taking a driving course through IFSI or through your insurance carrier is a good idea.
Hey, you going to the Alexis Open House? Might see you there.
TC & SS.
CR

[jaybird210]

This just in from the Plano, IL office of the Secretary of State....:

If your department runs a tanker, you need a tanker endorsement on your CDL (NOTE: This does NOT apply to non-CDL, as the good Captain from Pearl City mentioned re: air brakes).

Some of our guys opted for the CDL, just to have it. Now they are headed back for the tanker endorsement (which, by the way, is just a short b.s. test....:rolleyes: )

[Patrick631]

We are required to have a Class B non CDL, although several of us have CDLs. I was not aware of the tanker endorsement.

Patrick

[BVFD1983]

Nope, that wasn't us.

[BVFD1983]

Wow, over two years ago. BTT

[jaybird210]

Hi BV!

Man, you are trying to give weruj1 a run for his old-thread-resurecting money!

It's good to revist these issues and see what was bugging us a couple years ago!

[Crisb1419]

We ask that every FF have a Class B at the end of there probation period. The way I understand the law is that if the truck is owned by a FD or FPD then a class b cover's all. Regardless of use of truck, fires, training, parades, PR that does not matter.
But I do know that if the truck is not owned by a FD or FPD, say a dealer has a Demo truck. Then you need a CDL to drive that. I went through this about 6 months ago.

[BVFD1983]

That is correct, as long as you do not have any tillers.

[jacoema]

Our dept requires Class B non-CDL per the SOS office in Carbondale. No endorsments. Our indurance advised us that if someone driving and not licensed gets in wreck, they ain't paying squat. Might as well get it, only like 25 questions and road test.

[jboczek]

As long as we're on the subject, did anybody have to take an air brake test as part of the "B" exam? I know the CDLs have air brake endorsements, but we didn't have to do anything with air and I know my license doesn't have the endorsement.

[BVFD1983]

You only need the air brake endorsement if you want the CDL.

I told them the engine I would be taking the test in had air brakes and they said it did not matter because it is a non-CDL.

[jacoema]

BVFD is exactly right. B non-CDL NO endorsements.

[tfpd109]

I think most everyone here agrees about needing a class B non-CDL to drive a truck/engine.... But what do you need to drive the back of a tiller??:D

[dive515]

Everyone must possess and maintain a class B non CDL as an emloyee of our district.

[ChiefReason]

what do you need to drive the back of a tiller??
A firm grip on the handles and a good pair of workboots.
If your tiller hits a rock or hard dirt, it will jump. Maintaining a firm grip on the tiller and wearing good shoes will reduce the chance of injury and you will get your garden planted without incident.
Maybe we should start a gardening thread.
CR