Read the full stored bill text
ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1050
BY REPRESENTATIVE SCHAMERHORN
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 32:405.1 and 408(B)(2)(a)(ii) and (b) and to repeal R.S.
3 32:408(B)(7), relative to certain requirements for commercial driver's licenses; to
4 provide for clarification of age requirements for intrastate and interstate commercial
5 driver's licenses; to lessen the restrictions on certain commercial driver's licenses; to
6 remove the minimum vision requirements for intrastate driver waivers; and to
7 provide for related matters.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 32:405.1 and 408(B)(2)(a)(ii) and (b) are hereby amended and
10 reenacted to read as follows:
11 §405.1. Age requirements
12 Subject to R.S. 32:407, a Class "E" driver's license or a Class "D" chauffeur's
13 license shall be granted to a person seventeen years of age or above older. Class
14 "A", "B", or "C" licenses shall be granted only to persons eighteen years of age or
15 above older. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a first time applicant for
16 a Class "E" license who is an eighteen year old years of age or older or the parent or
17 guardian of a first time applicant who is seventeen year old first time applicant for
18 a Class "E" license years of age shall provide a signed statement to the department
19 attesting that the applicant has completed a minimum of fifty hours of supervised
20 driving practice with a licensed parent, guardian, or adult at least age twenty-one
21 years of age or older. However, if the first time applicant for a Class "E" license is
22 seventeen years of age and emancipated, the applicant shall provide the attestation
23 for himself, provided that the applicant has the necessary identifying information and
24 documents. At least fifteen of these hours must be nighttime driving. However,
25 hazardous materials endorsements shall be issued only to persons twenty-one years
Page 1 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HB NO. 1050 ENROLLED
1 of age or above. A commercial driver's license authorizing the operation of a
2 commercial motor vehicle in intrastate commerce may be issued to a person eighteen
3 years of age or older. A commercial driver's license authorizing the operation of
4 commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, or a commercial driver's license
5 with a hazardous materials endorsement, shall be issued only to a person twenty-one
6 years of age or older. The age limitations are subject to the minimum age
7 requirements set forth in the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 and the
8 regulations promulgated thereunder relative to licensing of carriers in interstate
9 commerce.
10 * * *
11 §408. Examination of applicants required; classes of licenses
12 * * *
13 B.
14 * * *
15 (2) A commercial driver's license shall be required when a vehicle is used
16 in commerce as defined in this Chapter, and is a commercial motor vehicle as
17 defined in this Chapter. A farmer shall not need a commercial driver's license when
18 operating a motor vehicle as provided for in Subparagraph (e) of this Paragraph. The
19 department may elect to or, if required by the Federal Highway Administration, shall
20 change the weight and passenger limits expressed herein to conform to regulations
21 by the Federal Highway Administration. The department shall do so by regulations
22 promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act subject to
23 oversight by the Joint Legislative Committee on Transportation, Highways and
24 Public Works. A commercial learner's permit issued to an individual of this state or
25 another jurisdiction, in accordance with rules and regulations of the Federal Motor
26 Carrier Safety Administration, when carried with a valid driver's license issued by
27 the same state or jurisdiction, authorizes the permittee to operate a class of
28 commercial motor vehicle when accompanied by a holder of a valid commercial
29 driver's license for purposes of behind-the-wheel training. When issued to the holder
30 of a commercial driver's license, a commercial learner's permit serves as
Page 2 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HB NO. 1050 ENROLLED
1 authorization to take part in behind-the-wheel training in a commercial motor vehicle
2 for which the driver is not licensed to drive. The different classes of drivers' licenses
3 to be issued shall be as follows:
4 (a)
5 * * *
6 (ii) Restriction. An individual who takes a skills test for a Class "A"
7 Commercial Driver's License in a motor vehicle other than a tractor-trailer
8 combination, sometimes referred to as an "eighteen wheeler", shall be issued a
9 license with a restriction prohibiting the operation of a tractor-trailer combination.
10 This restriction shall be lifted only if the individual successfully completes a skills
11 test in a tractor-trailer combination. For purposes of this Item, a power unit with a
12 gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds shall not
13 qualify as the tractor portion of a tractor-trailer combination. An individual who
14 takes a skills test for a Class "A" commercial driver's license in a motor vehicle with
15 the power unit and towed unit connected with a pintel hook or other non-fifth wheel
16 connection, shall be issued a license with a restriction prohibiting the operation of
17 a tractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheel that requires a Class "A"
18 commercial driver's license. This restriction shall be lifted only if the individual
19 successfully completes a skills test in a Class "A" vehicle connected with a fifth
20 wheel.
21 (b) Class "B" Commercial Driver's License - "Heavy Straight Vehicle".
22 Permits the operation of any vehicle within Classes "C", "D", and "E", with
23 any appropriate endorsements, plus any single vehicle with which has a gross vehicle
24 weight rating or gross vehicle weight of twenty-six thousand and one or more
25 pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or
26 gross vehicle weight that does not exceed ten thousand pounds. not in excess of ten
27 thousand pounds gross vehicle weight. A "straight vehicle" is defined for the
28 purpose of this class as being one that does not bend or have any moveable joint in
29 its frame between the driver's seat and the cargo or passenger compartment. This
Page 3 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HB NO. 1050 ENROLLED
1 class does not include the operation of motorcycles and motor scooters except as an
2 endorsement to the basic license.
3 * * *
4 Section 2. R.S. 32:408(B)(7) is hereby repealed in its entirety.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
Page 4 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.