Who this is for: CDL holders, fleet managers
CDL Restrictions — Codes, Meanings, and How to Remove Them
CDL restrictions limit what vehicles or configurations a driver may legally operate. Common restrictions include air brakes (L) and manual transmission (E). Restrictions are listed on the CDL and can often be removed by passing the relevant test.
Common CDL restriction codes
Restriction L — No air brakes: Applied when an applicant takes the skills test in a vehicle without air brakes. Restricts the driver to vehicles without air brakes. Restriction E — No manual transmission: Applied when the skills test vehicle has an automatic transmission. Some states issue this restriction; others do not. Restriction O — No tractor-trailer: Applied to Class A holders who take the skills test in a non-tractor-trailer combination. Restriction M — No Class A passenger vehicle: Applied to Class B passenger endorsement holders. Restriction N — No Class A and B passenger vehicles: Applied to Class C passenger endorsement holders.
Restriction L (air brakes) — what it means
The air brake restriction is one of the most commonly encountered. If you took your CDL skills test in a vehicle without air brakes, restriction L is placed on your license. This prevents you from operating vehicles equipped with air brakes. Many commercial vehicles — including most Class A trucks — have air brakes, so this restriction significantly limits employment options for over-the-road driving.
How to remove a restriction
To remove most skill-based restrictions, you need to pass an additional skills test (or knowledge test, for air brakes) using a qualifying vehicle. For restriction L removal, you generally must pass the air brakes knowledge test and demonstrate a pre-trip inspection of an air brake-equipped vehicle. Contact your state CDL agency for the exact procedure — some states require scheduling a separate appointment while others allow it at the same visit as renewal.
Restrictions vs. disqualifications
Restrictions limit what you can drive. Disqualifications prevent you from holding a CDL entirely, at least for a period of time. See the CDL Disqualifications overview for information on how violations affect CDL eligibility.
Other restriction codes beyond L and E
The air brake (L) and manual transmission (E) restrictions are the most common, but other codes exist. Restriction O limits a Class A holder to a straight truck rather than tractor-trailer combinations. Restriction M prohibits Class A passenger vehicle operation. Restriction N prohibits Class A and B passenger vehicles. Restriction K limits the CDL to intrastate operations only. Restriction V indicates a medical variance applies. These appear on the CDL and are visible on MVR records — fleet managers should verify all restriction codes before assigning a driver to a specific vehicle.
Fleet implications — verifying restrictions at hire and annually
A driver's restrictions can change between the time they were hired and today. The CDL renewal process may add or remove restrictions depending on the test vehicle used. Annual MVR checks will surface restriction changes — but only if you actually read the MVR rather than filing it unreviewed. Make reviewing restriction codes a standard step in both onboarding and annual MVR review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hiring companies see my CDL restrictions?
Yes. CDL restrictions appear on your driving record and on the CDL card itself. Carriers who run MVR checks will see all restriction codes. Fleet managers should review restrictions as part of the annual MVR review, not just at hire.
Can I get restriction L removed at renewal?
Possibly — you can request to remove the restriction by scheduling the air brakes knowledge test and vehicle inspection at your state CDL office. Some states allow this at the same appointment as renewal; others require a separate scheduling. Plan ahead, since scheduling availability varies.
What happens if I operate a vehicle that my CDL restricts me from driving?
Operating a vehicle outside your CDL restrictions is a traffic violation and creates a federal compliance issue for the carrier. The driver may face citations, an out-of-service order, and CDL disqualification consequences. The carrier faces civil penalties for knowingly assigning a restricted driver to a non-compliant vehicle. Both parties share the exposure.
Does restriction O (no tractor-trailer) prevent me from driving any Class A combination?
Restriction O applies specifically to tractor-trailer combinations. A Class A holder with restriction O can drive other Class A combinations — for example, a truck with a heavy trailer pulled by a straight truck. The restriction targets the tractor-trailer configuration, not all Class A operations. Check with your state DMV for the precise definition applied to restriction O in your state.