New York CDL Handbook 2026: CDL-10 Sections & MV-79

New York applicants use two different official manuals that the old version of this page incorrectly treated as one document:

• CDL-10 is the main New York State Commercial Driver’s Manual. It covers core knowledge, vehicle classes, endorsements and the skills test.
• MV-79 is a separate cargo-securement manual used for New York’s Metal Coil (M) endorsement test.

This page helps you select the correct official section. For exam modules and the 80% passing score, use the New York CDL practice-test guide. For eligibility, fees, medical certification and road-test steps, use the New York CDL requirements guide.

Verified September 9, 2026: Manual titles, section assignments, Metal Coil threshold and A3/K restriction descriptions were checked against NY DMV’s current CDL-10, MV-79 and MV-44.5 publications.

Official New York CDL Manual Downloads

• CDL-10 manual page: NY DMV’s current index for every commercial-manual section.
• CDL-10 table of contents (PDF): use it to confirm section numbers before downloading individual chapters.
• CDL-10 Sections 11–13 (PDF): vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving.
• MV-79 Metal Coil and cargo-securement manual (PDF): separate study source for the M endorsement.
• MV-44.5 driving-type instructions (PDF): explains NI, EI, NA, EA and the resulting A3/K restrictions.

Which CDL-10 Sections Should You Read?

Section 1 is the routing table for the rest of the handbook. It explains license classes, endorsements, restrictions and which chapters apply to each test. All knowledge questions are multiple choice with three choices, and CDL-10 specifies an 80% passing score.

MV-79 and the Metal Coil (M) Endorsement

MV-79 covers general cargo securement and commodity-specific metal-coil rules. A driver licensed by New York needs the M endorsement when operating a qualifying CMV and transporting metal coils that individually or together weigh 5,000 pounds or more within the state. A CMV operator licensed by another state does not need this New York endorsement merely to transport coils through New York.

To obtain M, a New York applicant must hold Class A, B or C and pass a written test based on MV-79. Study:

• general cargo-securement performance criteria;
• aggregate working load limit and how to use the table;
• coils with eyes vertical, crosswise or lengthwise;
• blocking, bracing, chocks, cradles and friction mats;
• rows of coils and coils in sided vehicles or intermodal containers;
• the definitions in MV-79 Section 4.

NY DMV supplies the Working Load Limit Table at the test site for questions that require it. Learn how the table is applied rather than memorizing unsupported shortcuts.

A3 and K Restrictions in MV-44.5

The old version of this page incorrectly said A3 appears when DMV has not received a medical card. NY DMV’s current MV-44.5 defines it differently:

• NI — Non-excepted interstate: certified medical status required; no A3 or K.
• EI — Excepted interstate: medically exempt qualifying operation; A3 applies.
• NA — Non-excepted intrastate: certified medical status required; K applies.
• EA — Excepted intrastate: medically exempt qualifying operation in New York only; A3 and K apply.

A3 means Med Cert Exempt. It reflects the certified operating category; it is not a temporary placeholder for a missing paper certificate. Read MV-44.5 before certifying because selecting the wrong type can limit legal operation.

New York Parkway and Truck-Route References

Parkway restrictions are operating rules, not a separate CDL-10 knowledge-test chapter. They still belong in a New York reference guide because they affect route planning immediately after licensing.

NYC DOT states that trucks and commercial vehicles cannot travel on most New York City parkways and publishes both the current restriction list and the New York City Truck Route Map. The word “most” matters: follow the official list and posted signs rather than an absolute rule copied from a blog. Trucks within New York City generally use the Local or Through Truck Route Network, deviating only as needed to reach the origin or destination.

• NYC DOT Truck Routing and current Truck Route Map
• NYC DOT Parkway Truck Restrictions
• NYSDOT Highways for Commercial Traffic

Use route publications for planning, a truck-appropriate navigation tool as assistance, and posted clearance, weight and commercial-vehicle signs as the controlling field information.

Road-Test Reading Plan

Sections 11 through 13 cover vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving. NY DMV specifically asks applicants to focus on the air-brake check on page 11-4. The inspection starting point may be randomized, including starting at the trailer for a Class A test.

The Vehicle Inspection Memory Aid shown in Section 11 may be brought to the test if it has no notes or markings. Use it as an order aid—not as a substitute for recognizing unsafe parts and explaining what you are checking.

What Not to Duplicate Here

This manual page intentionally does not repeat the application workflow or sell a made-up universal license price. See New York CDL requirements for current application fees, medical certification, ELDT and road-test scheduling. See New York CDL practice test for module selection, the 80% passing standard and a study workflow.

Official Sources

• NY DMV: Commercial Driver’s Manual (CDL-10)
• NY DMV: CDL-10 Section 1
• NY DMV: CDL-10 Sections 11–13
• NY DMV: MV-79 Metal Coil and Cargo Securement Manual
• NY DMV: MV-44.5 Federal Requirements for CDL Applicants
• NYC DOT: Truck Routing and Parkway Restrictions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MV-79 the main New York CDL handbook?

No. CDL-10 is the main Commercial Driver’s Manual. MV-79 is the separate cargo-securement and Metal Coil study manual.

When does a New York driver need the M endorsement?

A New York-licensed driver operating a qualifying CMV needs M when metal coils transported within the state individually or together weigh 5,000 pounds or more. MV-79 explains an exception for operators licensed by another state who transport coils through New York.

Which sections should every applicant study?

CDL-10 says every applicant should study Sections 1, 2, 3, 11, 12 and 13. Add the section for each additional test required by the vehicle and endorsements.

What does A3 mean?

A3 means Med Cert Exempt. Under MV-44.5 it applies to qualifying excepted operation: EI receives A3, while EA receives A3 and K. It does not merely mean DMV is waiting for a medical card.