15275.  (a) No person may operate a commercial motor vehicle
described in this chapter unless that person has in his or her
possession a valid commercial driver's license for the appropriate
class, and an endorsement issued by the department to permit the
operation of the vehicle unless exempt from the requirement to obtain
an endorsement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 15278.
   (b) An endorsement to drive vehicles specified in this article
shall be issued only to applicants qualified by examinations
prescribed by the department and that meet the minimum standards
established in Part 383 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
   (c) The department may deny, suspend, revoke, or cancel an
endorsement to drive vehicles specified in this article when the
applicant does not meet the qualifications for the issuance or
retention of the endorsement.


15278.  (a) A driver is required to obtain an endorsement issued by
the department to operate any commercial motor vehicle that is any of
the following:
   (1) A double trailer.
   (2) A passenger transportation vehicle, which includes, but is not
limited to, a bus, farm labor vehicle, or general public paratransit
vehicle when designed, used, or maintained to carry more than 10
persons including the driver.
   (3) A tank vehicle.
   (4) A vehicle carrying hazardous materials, as defined in Section
353, that is required to display placards pursuant to Section 27903,
unless the driver is exempt from the endorsement requirement as
provided in subdivision (b).  This paragraph does not apply to any
person operating an implement of husbandry who is not required to
obtain a driver's license under this code.
   (b) This section does not apply to any person operating a vehicle
in an emergency situation at the direction of a peace officer
pursuant to Section 2800, or to a driver issued a restricted
firefighter's license and driving a vehicle operated for the purpose
of hauling compressed air tanks for breathing apparatus that do not
exceed 2,500 pounds.