N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 15, § 3.2
(1) Statutory endorsements. The endorsements established in statute are T, N, P, X, H, S, W, covered farm vehicle, and personal use vehicle endorsements. A covered farm vehicle endorsement or a personal use vehicle endorsement shall only be added to a license which is not a CDL. T, N, P, X, S or H endorsement shall only be added to a CDL. A W endorsement may be added to a CDL license or to a license that is not a CDL.
(i) CDL endorsements. A P endorsement which is needed to operate a bus or any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating of more then 26,000 pounds which is designed to transport passengers in commerce requires passage of both a special knowledge test and a skills test in a representative vehicle. An S endorsement which is needed to operate a school bus requires passage of both a special knowledge test and a skills test in a representative vehicle. The holder of an S endorsement must also hold a P endorsement. T, N, H, W, or X endorsements which are needed to operate the following vehicles or combinations require only the passage of a knowledge test for each endorsement by the licensee:
T - double and triple trailers
N - tank vehicles
H - vehicles transporting hazardous materials which are required to be placarded
W - tow trucks
X - combines H & N endorsements
(iii) Personal use vehicle endorsement. An R endorsement is the personal use vehicle endorsement. It is required on a non-CDL for operation of recreational vehicles and rental vehicles over 26,000 pounds GVWR or over 40 feet in length for transportation of personal household goods. It shall be issued upon passage of a skills test in a recreational vehicle over 26,000 pounds GVWR or over 40 feet in length when the licensee has not passed a CDL skills test.
(c) Restrictions.
Paragraph (c) of subdivision two of section 501 specifically provides for three types of restrictions which may be placed on license classes or endorsements and further provides that the commissioner may by regulation establish additional restrictions. A restriction on a license limits the type of vehicles or combinations which can be operated with the license on which the restriction appears or specifies prosthetic devices or equipment which are required in order to operate a vehicle. A license may contain multiple restrictions.
(3) The following is a listing of restrictions and codes for each restriction:
| CODE | RESTRICTION |
|---|---|
| A | ACCEL LEFT OF BRAKE |
| A2 | PROBLEM DRIVER |
| A3 | MED CERT EXEMPT |
| A4 | INTERLOCK DEVICE |
| B | CORRECTIVE LENSES |
| C | MECHANICAL AID |
| D | PROSTHETIC DEVICE |
| E | NO MANUAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED CMV |
| E1 | AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION |
| F | OUTSIDE MIRRORS |
| F1 | HEARING AID/FULL VIEW MIRROR |
| G | DAYLIGHT DRIVING ONLY |
| H | LIMITED TO EMPLOYMENT |
| I | LIMITED USE AUTO |
| I1 | LIMITED USE MCY MAX 40 MPH |
| I2 | LIMITED USE MCY MAX 30 MPH |
| I3 | LIMITED USE MCY MAX 20 MPH |
| I4 | THREE WHEEL MCY |
| J | OTHER |
| K | CDL INTRASTATE ONLY (DOES NOT PERMIT OPERATION OUTSIDE OF NYS IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE) |
| L | NO AIR BRAKES EQUIPPED CMV |
| M | NO CLASS A PASSENGER VEHICLE |
| N | NO CLASS A OR B PASSENGER VEHICLE |
| N1 | NO VEHICLE WITH DESIGNED ADULT SEATING CAPACITY OF 15 OR MORE PASSENGERS |
| N2 | NO VEHICLE WITH DESIGNED ADULT SEATING CAPACITY OF 8 OR MORE PASSENGERS |
| O | NO TRACTOR TRAILER CMV |
| O1 | NO TRACTOR TRAILER CMV/TRUCK NOT OVER 26,000 GVWR |
| P | NO PASSENGERS IN CMV BUS |
| P1 | POWER BRAKES |
| Q | POWER STEERING |
| R | BUILT UP SEAT/PED/SHOE |
| T | CMV TRACTOR ONLY |
| U | HAND OPERATED BRAKE |
| V | MEDICAL VARIANCE |
| V1 | FOOT OPER PARKING BRAKE |
| X | NO CARGO IN CMV TANK VEHICLE |
| X1 | FULL HAND CONTROL |
| Y | SHOULDER HARNESS USE |
| Z | NO FULL AIR BRAKE EQUIPPED CMV |
| Z1 | WHEEL SPINNER |
| 3 | TELESCOPIC LENS |
| 5 | NO LIMITED ACCESS ROADS |
Subdivision one of section 501 provides that a driver license shall be valid only for the operation of the vehicles specified for each class of license but shall not be valid for the operation of any type of vehicle for which an endorsement is required unless the license contains such endorsement and further that such license shall also be subject to any restrictions contained on the license.
(a) License classifications.
Paragraph (a) of subdivision two of section 501 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law establishes eight classes of driver licenses and sets forth the vehicles which may be operated with each such class subject to any required endorsements and any restrictions which may be made to any such license. The license classes are: A, B, C, D, E, DJ, M and MJ. Class A, class B and class C licenses which contain an H, P, S or X endorsement are commercial driver licenses or CDLs. Any other class license is not a CDL. No license may contain more than one class except that any license may contain a motorcycle M class in addition to its other class. A license which has both a motorcycle and a DJ class will be designated as a DMJ license. No person shall apply for a commercial learner’s permit unless such person holds a class D license. A commercial learner’s permit may not be issued with an endorsement authorized by Federal regulation, other than a P, S or N endorsement.
(b) Endorsements.
Paragraph (b) of subdivision two of section 501 specifically establishes endorsements which may be added to one or more classes of licenses and further provides that the commissioner may by regulation establish additional endorsements. An endorsement is required on a license in order for the licensee to operate the type of vehicle or combination of vehicles or to transport passengers for the type of cargo specified in the endorsement. A license may contain multiple endorsements.