Question about Texas license??? for a cop.

[motorman587]

I have stopped persons in the past, riding a motorcycle. They will hand me a driver license, Texas and claim to have a motorcycle license. However on the front the license has the letters DM under class. I know I have stopped two in past several years. One I wrote a ticket for no motorcycle license and the other I let go with a warning. Why I wrote the ticket was because on the back of the driver license it does not explain what the letters mean. The teletype operator could not explain it either. The one where a warning was issued the teletype operator stated what the owner stated, M was for motorcycle. So what is the real scoop? Any links to Texas license that explains all the classes. Lost in Florida. Thanks in advance. We have a lot of college students and I am sure will come across this again.

[swaanimal]

Try this site if you haven't already, http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/

An "operators license" is a Class C, with a motorcycle endorsement it would be a Class CM. I'm not sure what a Class D is.

Hope this helps.

[EdBruce]

Why I wrote the ticket was because on the back of the driver license it does not explain what the letters mean. The teletype operator could not explain it either.

As it turns out, you got lucky and were right. What disturbs me is how you figure you are able to go ahead and write a ticket without know what the classifications are. Basicaly it sounds like, write the ticket, If your wrong he/she can go back home and waste their time and money fighting it.
Im sure it would have taken all of 2mins for someone back at the office to call any TX Law Enforcement Agency to get the answer.

BTW: Glad you finally took the time to find out what the classifications were

[gdroege]

Letters for operator class will vary by state, but most will add an endorsement for other sub classifications. Generally an endorsment of M=Motorcycle, but again it can, I suppose, vary by state. I would suggest writing a warning if in doubt, or check with your dispatch if you really feel there is something suspicious.

Truck driver classifications are another issue as states use a wide variety of operater classifications depending on the type of truck being driven. There's another opportunity for you to consider! ;)

[andy]

I have stopped persons in the past, riding a motorcycle. They will hand me a driver license, Texas and claim to have a motorcycle license. However on the front the license has the letters DM under class. I know I have stopped two in past several years. One I wrote a ticket for no motorcycle license and the other I let go with a warning. Why I wrote the ticket was because on the back of the driver license it does not explain what the letters mean. The teletype operator could not explain it either. The one where a warning was issued the teletype operator stated what the owner stated, M was for motorcycle. So what is the real scoop? Any links to Texas license that explains all the classes. Lost in Florida. Thanks in advance. We have a lot of college students and I am sure will come across this again.

Axshooly if they had a 'CM' on their license they DID in fact have a MC endorsement. See attached, and I DO have a MC endorsement. Don;t worry about the name and the numbers and everything else, this is the scan I use for scambaiting LOL

[bustedknuckles]

I have a class "A" CDL with motorcycle indorsement which is shown as class "AM" on the front of the license. I noticed the last time I renewed that NO where on the license does it explain what the "M" is for. Could be cornfusing to a furriner. :confused:
Nice beard and mustash Andy! :eek:

[NOGILLS2]

Andy you wil have to use it for ID at CCR, almost had to buy a new notebook!

John Cash, I love it!!!

Almost as good as GRiffs

[motorman587]

As it turns out, you got lucky and were right. What disturbs me is how you figure you are able to go ahead and write a ticket without know what the classifications are. Basicaly it sounds like, write the ticket, If your wrong he/she can go back home and waste their time and money fighting it.
Im sure it would have taken all of 2mins for someone back at the office to call any TX Law Enforcement Agency to get the answer.

BTW: Glad you finally took the time to find out what the classifications were

In the state of Florida you must have a motorcycle license to ride a motorcycle. Ask a dispatch to call Texas to see how the wording is?????????? Never done that before and who they going to call, some PD somewhere in Texas?? We have time, but not that much time. That is why I posted it here. Plus why can't the great State of Texas, and I like Texas put on the back of the DL what the little codes are, like Florida.

[motorman587]

Try this site if you haven't already, http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/

An "operators license" is a Class C, with a motorcycle endorsement it would be a Class CM. I'm not sure what a Class D is.

Hope this helps.

You are right it was CM not a D. And without knowing what C is, how would a cop know. Again we do not have the time or money to call States to see how the licensing works. Just my thinking, I guess.

[motorman587]

BTW thanks.

[McRuss]

As a retired LEO, I was curious about this thread, pulled my TX DL and took a look. Yep, CM class. But on the back, there is a place for Endorsements....and it says "No Endorsements." In CO where I copped, and in AZ, where I didn't, a motorcycle 'license' was an endorsement and it said so either on the front or on the back. I'll stick up for Motorman to a point but I guess I would have let them go at their word and then checked it out back at the office. Also, there are DL books available (dispatch should definately have one) that give all the info on every state's licenses including photos of them.

[motorman587]

As a retired LEO, I was curious about this thread, pulled my TX DL and took a look. Yep, CM class. But on the back, there is a place for Endorsements....and it says "No Endorsements." In CO where I copped, and in AZ, where I didn't, a motorcycle 'license' was an endorsement and it said so either on the front or on the back. I'll stick up for Motorman to a point but I guess I would have let them go at their word and then checked it out back at the office. Also, there are DL books available (dispatch should definately have one) that give all the info on every state's licenses including photos of them.

Damn, I got caught. No not really. I do not know what kind of people you have deal with, but here in Florida, folks tend not to tell the whole truth. I, do not believe people, sorry. However the first Texas person I stopped, and can not tell you the details I did write a "No motorcycle licence", yes that requires that person to prove they have a motorcyle license. Why I did not ask dispatch, I have no idea too busy, guy was a jerk etc........ Maybe the guy was a jerk, do not know. The second guy, which was just a couple of days ago and I let go was nice and check it with dispatch. Again, I do not trust dispatch either and that is why I posted this. I am not perfect and do make mistakes. I probably make a mistake writing the first guy and so am very sorry. I am set straight now. My point is that I probably not the only cop and pretty sure some poor Texasen, I love them remember, probably has spent the night in some jail because they could not prove the had a motorcycle license. wew.

[EdBruce]

I just looked at the back of mine.. Just gives you Height,weight,sex,hair,eye color.

On the front it gives you the class (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)


Typical Vehicles

http://www.icbc.com/Licensing/images/big_semi-small.gif
Class 1 Semi-trailer trucks - permits the holder to operate all motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles except motorcycles.
19 Age
http://www.icbc.com/Licensing/images/transit_bus-small.gif
Class 2 Buses, including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles - also permits the holder to operate vehicles in Classes 4 and 5.
19 Age
http://www.icbc.com/Licensing/images/yellow_truck-small.gif
Class 3 Trucks with more than two axles, including dump trucks and large tow trucks - also permits the holder to operate vehicles in Class 5.
18 Age
http://www.icbc.com/Licensing/images/ambulance-small.gif
Class 4 Taxis, limousines, ambulances, special buses used to transport people with disabilities and other special vehicles - also permits the holder to operate vehicles in Class 5.


19 Age
http://www.icbc.com/Licensing/images/passenger_car-small.gif
Class 5 or 7

Two-axled vehicles (except for Class 4 vehicles and motorcycles). These include cars, vans, two-axle trucks and utility vehicles. Motor homes (including those with more than two axles), limited speed motorcycles* (e.g., mopeds or mini scooters), all-terrain vehicles, construction vehicles, trailers 4,600 kg or less and buses or vans seating not more than 10 people.


16 Age
http://www.icbc.com/Licensing/images/motorcyclist-small.gif
Class 6 or 8

Motorcycles, all-terrain cycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV's).


16 Age

[dshealey]

My California license reads "C M1".

Class C is the normal drivers license, can drive any two axle vehicle up to 26,000 pounds gross, any motorhome up to 40 feet, and a van up to 15 person capacity, and any motorized scooter. (Class C is now required for scooters in CA)

M1 is for any two wheeled motorcycle.

M2 is for Moped type motorbikes, or bicyle with attached motor.

[motorman587]

Totally understand that, but in the State I work in the license will state "driver license" "class E" which is operator and on the bottom right hand corner hit has "motorcycle also"

Texas, I love that state, all it has CM and you must take the word of the driver because there no explanation on the back what the code are.

Yes, I shoud've could've but I don't.

I just had question, about Texas.

[munson]

I just had question, about Texas.
On the back of mine there is a number for Texas Roadside Assistance. Just for fun I called and talked to nice lady. I asked her what M stands for. She said "Motorcycle". Now I know what to do when I'm in another state and an officer needs to know.

[motorman587]

Ditto, hey cops are human too. I learn you learn, we are all one big family. :)

[mkmpflugerville]

It is not my responsibility to prove the state's method of classifying a DL.
IT IS LAW ENFORCEMENTS DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE LAW-
REGARDLESS OF THE STATE.
So, I guess the idea here is ; LOL ignorance mandates a citation!
Sad state of affairs when the law abiding citizen knows more law than LOL.
Give em a badge and a gun and they think they are GOD.
Signed,
CONTEMPT IN TEXAS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

[Jerrod Maguire]

It is not my responsibility to prove the state's method of classifying a DL.
IT IS LAW ENFORCEMENTS DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE LAW-
REGARDLESS OF THE STATE.
So, I guess the idea here is ; LOL ignorance mandates a citation!
Sad state of affairs when the law abiding citizen knows more law than LOL.
Give em a badge and a gun and they think they are GOD.
Signed,
CONTEMPT IN TEXAS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

I'm still laughing at this guy's logic... at least his "contempt" assessment is accurate.

[grifscoots]

Aw c'mon, man. You've never gotten a ticket and when claiming ignorance of said broken law been told that ignorance was no excuse? Especially if you're from out of state.

No contempt here, I list a lot of LEO's as bud's.

[Jerrod Maguire]

This is a dramatization...

I had an accountant make a mistake on my taxes once, but I realized the mistake and showed it to him. Now it's clear that I know more than him about tax preparation. I was right and I've never been wrong about anything to this day and I'm still pissed off about it. So the next accountant I come across on a friendly motorcycle web page is going to be put in his place. This accountant is not the responsible accountant but all accountants are the same and he deserves my vitriol. The only reason I found a vulnerable accountant to attack in the first place was because he was asking questions to improve himself.

Now this is realty...

The other cops that haven't pissed you off yet are busy trying to keep your possessions intact and your friends and family from being run down, robbed, or murdered.

[wjhanna]

As it turns out, you got lucky and were right. What disturbs me is how you figure you are able to go ahead and write a ticket without know what the classifications are. Basicaly it sounds like, write the ticket, If your wrong he/she can go back home and waste their time and money fighting it.
Im sure it would have taken all of 2mins for someone back at the office to call any TX Law Enforcement Agency to get the answer.

BTW: Glad you finally took the time to find out what the classifications were

Ed,
You shouldn't be disturbed by this, at all. We both live in big countries containing lots of jurisdictions. Plainly and simply, if you're a visitor to another municipality, you must be able to prove that your driving privileges are supported by a license to operate. In this case, the Great State of Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and/or the Legislature did not provide the needed documentation for this. For you to impugn the Lawman who stops a person to try to insure the motorist is in compliance is wrong and to expect phone calls to be made around the Country for this is wrong, as well. He DID take his own time to find out, to his credit. The simple answer is for either Texas DMV (my best guess) or the Leg. to correct the issue for, if one FL Lawman has faced this issue, you can bet hundreds of others around the Country have, as well. Absent documentable proof of fitness to drive (ie. a "legend" of symbols, if you will), the burden for this will always rest with the operator.

[bmwjason]

And the Kansas DL has this as the first line on the front:
"Comm CLS N COMM CLS"
which I guess is shorthand for "Commercial Class" and "Non-Commercial Class"

and mine has "CM" after the "N COMM CLS".

And on the back, below the mag stripe and above the anatomical donor section, clear as day _and_ in big type:
Class A: Any vehicle except motorcycle
Class B: Any vehicled except Class A combination and motorcycle
Class C: Any vehicle with a GVWR or GCWR of 26,000 lbs or less except motorcycle
Class M: motorcycle.


So now you have Kansas and Texas. Gary Droege, how about Mizzurra?

J.