Skip to main content

Driver, CDL Required

Position Description

Duties

  • Operates cargo vans, stake trucks, buses with capacity of more than 20 passengers, etc., having gross vehicle weight between 16,000 and 32,000 pounds or requires a commercial driver’s license.
  • Operates vehicles that usually have air brakes and two or more gear ranges capable of providing six or more forward speeds.
  • Drives vehicles on and off roads, through all kinds of traffic, terrain, and weather to haul cargo or passengers.
  • Loads and unloads vehicle, and sees that cargo is loaded properly and protected.
  • Responsible for operator maintenance, vehicle servicing, and vehicle record keeping.
  • Delivers supplies and equipment to the fireline, base and spike camps.
  • Drives personnel to and from base camp, fireline, and airports.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
  • Medical certificate or card.
  • CDL Class A or B with the appropriate endorsements or lack of restrictions as follows (source:  ID Dept of Transportation)
    • Class A – Combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds.  Drivers with a Class A license may, with the proper endorsements, operate vehicles requiring a Class B, C or D license.
    • Class B – Single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle 10,000 pounds GVWR or less.  Drivers with a Class B license may, with the proper endorsements, operate vehicles requiring a Class C or D license.
    • Endorsements –  you must have the appropriate endorsement on your CDL if you haul hazardous materials, pull double or triple trailers, or drive tank or passenger vehicles.
  • Hazardous Materials (H) –  Required for drivers of vehicles transporting hazardous materials requiring placards per the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.  A written test and Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment is required at each driver license renewal date.
  • Double/Triple (T) – Required for drivers of vehicles pulling two or three trailers.  (A dolly or load divider, sometimes referred to as a “jeep”, is considered to be one trailer.)
  • Tank Vehicles (N) – Required for drivers of vehicles designed to transport liquids or gaseous materials within a tank that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or chassis.  Such vehicles include, but are not limited to, cargo tanks and portable tanks, as defined in hazardous materials regulation.  This definition does not include portable tanks having a rated capacity under 1,000 gallons.
  • Passenger (P) – Required for drivers of vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers including driver.  Both written and skills test are required to obtain this endorsement.
  • School bus (S) – Required for drivers of vehicles transporting primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events.  Both written and skills tests are required to obtain this endorsement.
    • By federal regulation, an applicant cannot be issued a CDL with the school bus endorsement only; they must always have both the school bus endorsement and passenger endorsement to drive a school bus.
    • Restriction
  • L Restriction – Prohibits driving of vehicles with air brakes.  The CDL will carry this restriction unless you pass an air brakes knowledge test and a skills test in a vehicle equipped with air brakes.
  • N Restriction – Prohibits the driver from operating Class A or B passenger vehicles (buses).  A Class A or B CDL with the passenger endorsement will carry this restriction unless the driver obtains a passenger endorsement by successfully completing a skills test in a Class B passenger vehicle (bus).

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2026

Date:  September 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Health and Wellness Subcommittee

The NWCG Health and Wellness Subcommittee (HWSC) and Safety/Risk Management Committee (SRC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The HWSC and SRC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2026 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2026 Letter from Leadership

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Health and Wellness Subcommittee

Safety and Risk Management Committee

2025 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  August 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

The NWCG Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) and Leadership Development Subcommittee (LDSC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Hunter Bell, U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Shannon Deane, U.S. Wildland Fire Service— Initiative and Innovation
  • Chris Delaney, U.S. Wildland Fire Service — Motivation and Vision
  • Sean Peterson, U.S. Forest Service — Mentoring and Teamwork

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Development Subcommittee

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91