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Chapter 6
Class D License
Who Needs a Class D License?
- Anyone who operates a truck or truck tractor
that weighs 8,000 pounds or more but less than 26,001 pounds or
is more than 80 inches wide.
- Farmers and drivers of authorized emergency
vehicles who drive commercial motor vehicles, but are exempt from
obtaining a commercial driver license, must obtain a Class D license.
Speed Limits
 All motor vehicles, with the exception
of mopeds, must obey the same speed limits.See SPEED LIMITS.
Following Distance
A truck or any vehicle towing another
vehicle may not follow within 300 feet of another truck or vehicle
towing a vehicle. This law does not apply to overtaking and passing,
and it does not apply within cities or towns.
Stopping Distance
By law, the following vehicles must
be able to stop within the distances listed.
Within 30 feet at 20 mph:
- single-unit vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds
or less.
Within 40 feet at 20 mph:
- single-unit vehicles weighing more than 10,000
pounds.
- all buses.
- combination of two-axle towing vehicle (such
as a truck tractor) and a trailer, with the trailer weighing 3000
pounds or less.
- all combinations of vehicles in tow-away operations.
Within 50 feet at 20 mph:
- all other vehicles except passenger vehicles
with seating capacity of 10 people or less, including the driver.
Every trailer or semi-trailer weighing
3000 pounds or more must have brakes which can be operated
by the driver in the towing motor vehicle. The brakes must be designed
and connected so that they will automatically stop the trailer if
it breaks away from the towing vehicle.
Lights, Side Marker Lamps,
and Reflectors
Buses, trucks, truck tractors and trailers
must have the following equipment:
- Every bus or truck: On the rear, two reflectors,
one at each side, and one stop light.
- Every bus or truck 80 inches or more wide: On
the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side. On each side,
two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or
near the rear. On each side, 2 reflectors, one at or near the
front and one at or near the rear. These vehicles must also have
electric turn signals if built after January 1, 1972.
- Every truck tractor: On the front, two clearance
lamps, one at each side. On the rear, one stop light.
- Every trailer or semi-trailer weighing more
than 3,000 pounds: On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each
side. On each side, two side marker lamps, one at or near the
front and one at or near the rear. On the rear, two clearance
lamps, one at each side, and two reflectors, one at or near the
front and one at/or near the rear. There shall also be two stoplights
on the rear of these vehicles. One stoplight is permitted on vehicles
built before January 1, 1972.
- Every pole trailer weighing more than 3,000
pounds: On each side, one side marker lamp and one clearance lamp
(which may be in combination), to show to the front, side and
rear. On the rear of the pole trailer or load, two reflectors,
one at each side.
- Every trailer, semi-trailer or pole trailer
weighing 3,000 pounds or less: On the rear, two reflectors, one
on each side.
Required Placement
Reflectors must be mounted not less
than 24 inches and not more than 60 inches above the ground. If
the highest part of the vehicle is less than 24 inches, the reflector
should be mounted at the top of the vehicle. The rear reflectors
on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the load. Any required reflector on the rear of
a vehicle may be part of the taillamp.
Clearance lamps must be mounted on the
permanent structure of the vehicle to show its extreme height and
width.
Side marker lights may be mounted at
any height unless mounted in combination with clearance lamps. Then
both must be able to be seen from front, side and rear.
Limitations
on Towing
The following rules apply to the drawbar
or towing connection:
- It must be strong enough to pull all towed weight.
- It must not be more than 15 feet long unless
you are towing poles, pipes, machinery, or other objects that
cannot be easily taken apart.
- If a chain, rope, or cable is used as the towing
connection, you must have a white flag at least 12 inches square
attached to it.
Limitations
on Loading; Securing the Load
You may not drive or move any loaded
vehicle on the highway if the load is not secure. The load must
not be able to drop, shift, leak, or otherwise escape.
- You must use a close-fitting cover when hauling
loads which could fall or blow onto the roadway. Examples: dirt,
sand, lime-rock, gravel, silica, trash or garbage.
- Every truck carrying logs or pulpwood must use
proper equipment, including lock chains that will securely fasten
the load.
Rearview Mirror
No matter what kind of load you are
carrying, you must have a rearview mirror that allows you to see
the highway at least 200 feet behind you.
Projecting Load
When a load extends to the rear 4 feet
or more beyond the bed or body of the loaded vehicle, it must be
clearly marked.
Nighttime
At night or when you cannot see clearly at least
1000 feet ahead, the following markers must be used:
- Two red lamps on the back of the load which
can be seen from at least 500 feet to the rear.
- Two red reflectors on the rear which can be
seen at night from all distances between 100 and 600 feet when
directly in front of low-beam headlights. These reflectors should
be placed to show the full width of the load.
- Two red lamps, one on each side of the load,
which can be seen from at least 500 feet. These lamps should be
placed near the end of the projecting load.
Daytime
In the daytime, red flags at least 12 inches square must be placed
on the projecting load where red lamps are used at night (extreme
rear and sides).
Directional Signal Requirements
Your vehicle must have directional signals
under the following conditions:
- When the driver's hand signals cannot be seen
from both the front and rear because of the way the vehicle is
built or loaded.
- When the nearest distance from the center top
of the steering post to the outside of the cab, body or load is
more than 24 inches.
- When the distance from the center top of the
steering post to the rear limit of the body or load is more than
14 feet. (This applies to a single vehicle or combination of vehicles.)
Warning Devices
Vehicles 80 inches or more wide or 30
feet or more long must carry warning devices when they are being
operated on any highway outside a city or town or on any divided
highway at night (from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before
sunrise). This rule applies to such vehicles as trucks, buses, truck
tractors, and vehicles towing house trailers.
The following equipment must be carried:
- Three flares, three red electric lanterns, or
three red emergency reflectors.
- Three red-burning fuses (unless lanterns or
reflectors are carried).
These warning devices must be displayed
when the vehicle is stopped on a roadway or on the side of a road
outside a city or town for more than 10 minutes. The vehicle's four-way
flashers may be used until the warning devices can be placed.
ANY VEHICLE USED TO CARRY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS,
COMPRESSED FLAMMABLE GASES OR EXPLOSIVES MUST NOT CARRY ANY FLARES,
FUSES, OR OTHER SIGNALS PRODUCED BY FLAME. THESE VEHICLES MUST USE
ELECTRIC LANTERNS, REFLECTORS, AND FLAGS ONLY.
Placement of Warning Devices
warning device display: two-way roadway
All disabled trucks, truck-tractors, and buses must display emergency
warning signals as shown if parked outside the city limits of a
municipality.
WARNING DEVICES REQUIREMENTS
Flares
- Able to be seen from 600' under normal conditions
at night.
- Built to burn for at least 12 hours in 5 mph
wind.
- Able to burn in winds up to 40 mph.
- Able to withstand shock without damage.
Electric Lanterns
- Able to be seen from Lanterns 600' under normal
conditions at night.
- Able to operate for at least 12 hours.
- Able to withstand shocks without damage.
Free-Standing Reflectors
- Able to reflect low-beam headlights from 100'
away to 600' away
- Able to withstand shocks without damage.
Fuses
- Able to burn at least 15 minutes.
- Meets specifications of The Bureau of Explosives
(N.Y.)
Flags
- A red flag, not less than 12 inches square.
DAYTIME/NIGHTTIME PLACEMENT
Nighttime On Two-Way Roadway.
- One 100' ahead, one 100' behind in the center
of the lane where the vehicle is.
- One on traffic side 10' to the rear or ahead
of vehicle.
On Divided Highway.
- One 200' to the rear, one 100' to the rear in
the center of the lane where the vehicle is stopped.
- One 10' to the rear on traffic side.
Electric Lanterns-Nighttime-same as flares.
Free-Standing Reflectors-Nighttime-same as flares.
Fuses-Nightime-On Two-Way Roadway
- One lighted fuses, lantern or reflector should
be placed on the traffic side of the vehicle right away. All other
signals should be placed before the fuses burns out.
Flags-Daytime
- 100'ahead and 100' behind the stopped vehicle
Maximum Weights
The gross weight on the highway from
the wheels of any one axle of a vehicle must not be more than 22,000
pounds.
The total weight allowed on all axles
of a vehicle or combination of vehicles is determined by the number
of axles and the distance between them. Vehicles with longer wheel
bases and 5 or more axles may weigh up to 80,000 pounds including
tolerances. For more information, see Section 316.535, Florida Statutes,
or contact the Florida Department of Transportation, Bureau of Weights
and Safety, Douglas Building, Room 208, 2540 Executive Center Circle
West, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450, or telephone (850) 488-7920.
Maximum Width, Height
and Length
Other Vehicles:
- Maximum height of a vehicle including load:
13 feet, 6 inches.
- Maximum width of a vehicle including load: 96
inches (8 feet). On roads with traffic lanes 12 feet wide or more,
vehicles may be 102 inches (8.5 feet). Maximum length including
load overhang (load overhang over front or front bumper of vehicle
cannot exceed 3 feet):
- Single unit, 2 axles - 35 feet
- Single unit 3 axles - 40 feet
Class D License
Exam Questions
The Class D License examination has
20 questions and 20 road signs. Some of the test questions will
come from the list below; others will come from the Class E test questions in Chapter
5. You are allowed to miss not more than five questions and five
road signs.
First Aid
If you come upon an accident, activate
the Emergency Medical System (EMS) to insure prompt response. Then
apply four first aid rules:
- Protect yourself from possible injury or infection
- use barrier devices such as gloves and a mask.
- Start the breathing. If the injured person
has stopped breathing, start artificial respiration right away.
Do not stop until another qualified person relieves you or the
victim is breathing normally.
- Stop the bleeding. Most bleeding can
be stopped by pressing down on the wound. If possible you should
place a gauze pad, a clean cloth or even your fingers (if wearing
protective gloves) will have to be used. Bleeding from an artery
should always be stopped first. The blood from an artery will
be bright red and will come out of the wound in spurts. If the
blood is darker in color and flows evenly, it is from a vein.
Once the gauze or cloth is in place - DO NOT REMOVE IT.
- Treat for Shock. Persons who have
been injured may go into shock. When someone is in shock, all
of the body functions slow down. Shock can be very serious. It
can cause death. Shock may develop right after a crash or later.
Injured persons must be treated for shock regardless of whether
or not they appear to be in shock.
- Reassure the injured person. Your calmness
will help. Do not give them anything to drink.
- Cover the person with blankets or coats
to hold body heat. Have the person lie flat.
- Keep onlookers back so that the injured
person has air.
- Keep their head as low as possible unless
there is a head injury.
- Loosen tight collars to make breathing easier.
DO NOT MOVE AN INJURED PERSON
IF THE PERSON CANNOT MOVE OR COMPLAINS OF PAIN IN THE BACK OR
NECK OR HAS A HEAD INJURY.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE HELMET OF AN
INJURED MOTORCYCLE RIDER.
USE PRUDENT CARE AND GOOD JUDGEMENT. WORK ONLY WITHIN THE SCOPE
OF CARE YOU ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE.
Return to Table of Contents
Contents
| Foreword | Chapter
1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter
3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter
5 | Chapter 6
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