§1252. Classes

A license is not valid for the operation of a vehicle unless a class or restriction is indicated on the license.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

1.  Classes.  There are 3 classes of licenses as follows:

A. A Class A license may be issued for the operation of a combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, if the gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

A holder of a Class A license may, with an appropriate endorsement, operate a vehicle in Class B or C;   [PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, §11 (AMD).]

B. A Class B license may be issued for the operation of a single motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds or such a vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

A holder of a Class B license may, with an appropriate endorsement, operate a vehicle in Class C; and   [PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, §11 (AMD).]

C. A Class C license may be issued for the operation of a single motor vehicle or a combination of vehicles that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B license.

A holder of a Class C license may, with an appropriate endorsement, operate all vehicles in that class.

A Class C license authorizes:

(1) A full-time or volunteer member of an organized municipal, state or federal fire department and a law enforcement officer who is a member of an organized municipal, state or federal law enforcement department to operate fire apparatus as described in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 383.3 (2005) and to operate a commercial motor vehicle as a mobile command unit. For purposes of this subparagraph, "mobile command unit" means a motor vehicle designed and used by a law enforcement agency primarily as a command and control platform for emergency response;

(2) A person to operate recreational vehicles for personal use;

(3) A person to operate commercial motor vehicles for military purposes as required in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 383.3 (2005);

(4) A person to operate registered farm motor trucks bearing the letter "F" on the registration plate when the vehicle is:

(a) Controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by the farmer's employees or family members;

(b) Used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies to or from a farm;

(c) Not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier; and

(d) Used within 150 miles of the registered owner's farm;

(5) A person, employed by a city, town, county, district or other unit of local government created by or pursuant to law that has a total population of 3,000 individuals or less, to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the boundaries of that unit of local government for the purpose of removing snow or ice from a roadway by plowing, sanding or salting, if:

(a) The properly licensed employee who ordinarily operates a commercial motor vehicle for those purposes is unable to operate the vehicle; or

(b) The employing governmental entity determines that a snow or ice emergency exists that requires additional assistance; or

(6) A person to operate a truck registered as an antique automobile, regardless of weight or combination weight, provided the vehicle is used for noncommercial recreational purposes or purposes pursuant to section 101, subsection 3.   [PL 2019, c. 345, §4 (AMD).]

[PL 2019, c. 345, §4 (AMD).]

2.  School bus or motorcycle.  Operation of a school bus or motorcycle, other than an autocycle, requires a special endorsement on a license.

A nonresident school bus driver picking up and discharging school children or driving in conjunction with school-related activities may operate a vehicle with a certificate issued by the Secretary of State.

A school bus certificate may be issued only after the applicant has successfully passed the required examination.

[PL 2019, c. 345, §5 (AMD).]

3.  Mopeds and motorized scooters.  A moped or motorized scooter may not be operated:

A. By a person who does not possess a valid license of any class or a license specially endorsed to operate a motorcycle or a moped; or   [PL 2005, c. 577, §15 (AMD).]

B. On an interstate highway or on a way on which a bicycle is prohibited.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

[PL 2005, c. 577, §15 (AMD).]

4.  Examination.  The Secretary of State shall examine an applicant for the class for which the applicant applies.

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

5.  Immediate examination.

[PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, §12 (AMD); MRSA T. 29-A §1252, sub-§5 (RP).]

6.  Endorsement.  The Secretary of State shall endorse each license with its class and a special endorsement for specific types of vehicles.

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

7.  Violation.  A person commits a Class E crime if that person operates a vehicle not included within the class of license issued to that person.

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

8.  Employer's requirements.  An employer may impose more stringent or additional qualifications, requirements or examinations than are imposed in this section or may require additional certificates.

[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 65, §§A153,C15 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 65, §B11 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 437, §29 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 197, §5 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 486, §2 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 577, §§14,15 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 679, §2 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 383, §20 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 165, §1 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 381, Pt. B, §§11, 12 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 345, §§4, 5 (AMD).