What is an endorsement on a drivers license

What’s a non-commercial endorsement and when do you need one?

If you want to drive a certain type of vehicle (e.g., taxi) that’s NOT considered a commercial vehicle with your CT driver’s license, you need to get an endorsement from the DMV. An endorsement is an indication on your driver’s license that authorizes you to drive that specific vehicle, and also confirms that you’ve completed any additional requirements (such as vehicle-specific driver training).

Additional testing or training may be required to get a non-commercial endorsement. Please see the table below for details on the different types of non-commercial endorsement, related requirements, and endorsement restrictions.

Note: Some vehicles also require a special license, such as a commercial driver’s license (CDL). View CDL-related endorsements and restrictions.

Note: The table below explains endorsements available for drivers with a non-commercial driver’s license (i.e., a license for driving any vehicle that does NOT require a CDL, such as a regular passenger vehicle/car/truck). A non-commercial license is also known as a Class D license.

Table of endorsement requirements:

Activity vehicle

You need an endorsement before you operate a student transportation vehicle.

If you apply or hold a Public Passenger Endorsement (PPE), also known as a public service license, you need an acceptable driving record. A “P” endorsement is required if the vehicle you drive requires a Class A, B, or C CDL and you transport passengers.

Taxi, livery, service bus, motor bus, or motor coach:

You need an “F” endorsement to operate a:

• Taxi

• Livery vehicle

• Service bus

• Motor bus

• Motor coach

Note: See commercial endorsements table for additional requirements if you have a CDL and you transport passengers.

Motorcycle

You need an “M” endorsement to drive a motorcycle on certain public highways. With this endorsement, you can drive a two- or three-wheel motorcycle on normal roads and public highways.

Learn more about specific restrictions for new motorcycle drivers, as well as the process to get a motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle learner’s permit in Connecticut.

Fire engine

Fire fighters are exempt from commercial driver’s license requirements. Active fire fighters that are issued a certificate of training to operate a fire apparatus or present Forms R-296 and R-297 that show a passed skills test are eligible to apply for a “Q” endorsement. This endorsement on a Class D driver’s license (i.e., a non-commercial license) authorizes a fire fighter to operate a fire apparatus or fire engine.

Student transportation vehicle

You need a “V” endorsement if you drive a vehicle that’s used to transport students to and from school, including vehicles transporting special education students. You are required to provide an R360 training certificate for this endorsement.

Note: See commercial endorsements table for additional requirements if you have a CDL and you transport students.

Important

A Medical Certificate (Form MCSA-5876) is required to be on file with the DMV to operate a vehicle with the following gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) with a non-commercial license—also known as a Class D license:

• Driving Intrastate:
  18,000 GVWR to 26,000 GVWR
• Driving Interstate:
  10,000 GVWR to 26,000 GVWR

If you want to drive a certain type of vehicle (e.g., a school bus or semitruck) that’s considered a commercial vehicle with your CT commercial driver’s license (CDL), you need to get an endorsement from the DMV.

An endorsement is an indication on your CDL that authorizes you to drive that specific vehicle, and also confirms that you’ve completed any additional requirements (such as vehicle-specific driver training).

Additional testing or training may be required to get a commercial endorsement. Please see the table below for details on the different types of commercial endorsements, related requirements, and endorsement restrictions.

Don’t have a CDL? Learn more about endorsements available for non-commercial license holders or how to get a commercial driver’s license.

Note: The table below explains endorsements available for drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Table of endorsement requirements:

You need an “A" endorsement to drive a student transportation vehicle.

Applicants or holders of a Public Passenger Endorsement (“P”), also known as a PPE or public service license, need an acceptable driving record.

You need an “F” endorsement to operate a:

• Taxi

• Livery vehicle

• Service bus

• Motor bus

• Motor coach

A Public Passenger Endorsement (“P”), also known as a PPE or public service license, is also required if the vehicle being driven requires a Class A, B or C CDL and is transporting passengers. Applicants or holders of a PPE need an acceptable driving record. 

You need an “H” endorsement if you drive a vehicle that transports hazardous materials, which are placarded. 
To get a hazardous material endorsement you must be:

• At least age 21 or older

• A U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or hold a valid Employment Authorization Document

Liquid bulk/tank cargo vehicle drivers

You need an “N” endorsement if the vehicle being driven requires a Class A, B, or C CDL and is designed to haul a liquid or liquid gas in:

• A permanently mounted cargo tank rated at 119 gallons or more

• A portable tank rated at 1,000 gallons or more

• A vehicle used to transport hazardous materials in liquid or gas form in rated tanks as described below (CDL vehicle classifications)

Passenger or transportation

You need a “P” Public Passenger Endorsement, also known as a PPE or public service license, if the vehicle being driven requires a Class A, B or C CDL and is transporting passengers. Applicants or holders of a PPE need an acceptable driving record.

School bus

You need an “S” endorsement to drive a school bus. Note that a Public Passenger Endorsement (“P”), also known as a PPE or public service license, is also required. Applicants or holders of a PPE need an acceptable driving record.

Doubles and triple tandem

You need a “T” endorsement if the vehicle you drive requires a Class A CDL and is towing more than one trailer. 

You need a “V” endorsement if you drive a vehicle that’s used to transport students to and from school, including vehicles transporting special education students. You are required to provide an R360 training certificate for this endorsement.

A Public Passenger Endorsement (“P”), also known as a PPE or public service license, is required if the vehicle you drive requires a Class A, B, or C CDL and you transport passengers. Applicants or holders of a PPE need an acceptable driving record. 

You need an “X” endorsement if you drive a vehicle that transports hazardous materials in a tank. To get a hazardous material endorsement you must be:

• At least age 21 or older

• A U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or hold a valid Employment Authorization Document

CDL classifications

There are different classes of commercial driver’s licenses, which authorize the driver to operate specific commercial vehicles based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and/or combination of vehicles.

Class A CDL: Class A CDL license-holders are authorized to drive any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B CDL: Class B CDL license-holders are authorized to drive any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess 10,000 pounds.

Class C CDL: Class C CDL license-holders are authorized to drive any single vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, or any such vehicle towing another vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of 10,000 pounds. This includes:

What are the 4 types of endorsements?

What is an example of an endorsement?

What is the purpose of a endorsement?