A complete breakdown of the US Commercial Drivers Licenses

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A complete breakdown of the US Commercial Drivers Licenses

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In the United States of America to operate any type of large automobile, you need a license. This is called a CDL-Commercial Drivers License. You need a CDL to operate any Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV’s), which includes tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, dump trucks, and passenger busses. Before 1986, drivers in all states could operate any vehicle with a basic automobile driver’s license, no additional training or certification was required. In 1986 Congress passed a Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act which made it mandatory for every commercial vehicle driver to have a CDL, this law improved highway safety drastically because it ensured that those who operated large scale trucks and other such vehicles were specifically trained to do so. With the increase in demand for driver jobs.

CDL Eligibility and Requirements

CDL’s are usually taken by people who wish to have a job that allows them to be on the road. The first step towards getting a CDL is to obtain a CLP or Commercial Learners Permit. Just like your regular learners permit, this allows you to practice driving commercial vehicles to obtain a CDL. The minimum age to apply for a CDL in most states is 21. However, between the ages of 18-20, you can apply for an intrastate CDL. As the name suggests, this allows you to drive your vehicle within your state limits, the restrictions are lifted once you turn 21. You can apply for a CDL at your local DMV office. Every state has its own set of rules and regulations for CDL applicants, you have to go through a written test and a set of driving skills tests set by your local authorities in order to be authorized. However, now with the labor, especially long haul driver shortage in full peak, multiple states are petitioning to reduce the required age limit.

Types of CDLs

The CDL’s are given out based on the size of the vehicle you want to operate with further specifications made according to type and material transported. The state law requires you to have a commercial license to operate any automobile whose combined weight or Gross Vehicle Weight Rate (GVWR) is 26,001 pounds or more.

Class A CDL:

A Class A license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds. With a Class A CDL, you can drive- Tractor-trailers, Truck and trailer combinations, Tank Vehicles, Livestock Carriers, and Flatbeds. With some additional endorsements depending on your state, you may be allowed to drive Class B and Class C vehicles with your Class A CDL.

Class B CDL:

With a Class B CDL, you can operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or two vehicles not heavier than 10,000 pounds. The type of vehicles you can operate with a Class B CDL includes- Straight Trucks, Large Passenger Buses, Segmented Buses, Box Trucks, Dump Trucks with small trailers, and Tractor-Trailers. With proper endorsements, a Class B CDL owner can be allowed to drive a Class C vehicle.

Class C CDL:

A Class C CDL allows you to drive a vehicle that has the capacity to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver. You can also transport materials that are deemed as hazardous or HazMat under federal law. With a Class C CDL, you can drive Small HazMat vehicles, Passenger vans, Combination of vehicles not covered by A or B.

A complete breakdown of the US Commercial Drivers Licenses