To become a commercial driver in the United States, you will need a Commercial Driver’s License, also known as a CDL. However, not all CDLs are the same. There are three main types: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Each class allows you to drive different types of vehicles, depending on the size and what they carry.

In this guide, we will define what a Class A license is, as well as Class B and Class C, to determine which suits you best.

What Is a CDL?

A CDL is a license required if you want to drive large or heavy vehicles in the United States. This includes vehicles like trucks, trailers, buses, or tankers. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires commercial drivers to have a CDL to help ensure safety on the roads. The type of CDL you need depends on the weight of the vehicle you want to operate.

Class A CDL

This is the most flexible of all licenses. With this, you can drive any combination of vehicles that have a total weight, also called Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), of 26,001 pounds or more, as long as the vehicle you are towing is more than 10,000 pounds.

Therefore, with a Class A license, you can drive:

Tractor-trailers
Flatbed trucks
Tankers
Livestock carriers
Truck trailers

The license allows you to drive vehicles that fall under Class B and Class C, provided you have the right endorsements. This makes a Class A license a great option for drivers looking for more opportunities and the ability to be flexible in different kinds of commercial driving.

Class B CDL

This is mostly for operating large vehicles that weigh 26,001 pounds or more but tow no more than 10,000 pounds. So, unlike Class A, Class B is more about driving a heavy single vehicle where most of the weight is on the front side rather than a truck and trailer combination.

Examples of vehicles you can drive with a Class B license are:

Large buses
Dump trucks
Straight trucks with no detachable trailer
Delivery trucks

This license is perfect if you want to work locally, for example, city jobs, or for delivery companies that use large single vehicles.

Class C CDL

Class C CDLs are for vehicles that don’t meet the weight limits of Class A or B but are still used to carry 16 or more passengers or transport hazardous materials. It authorizes driving any vehicles with a GCWR of less than 26,000 pounds and towing less than 10,000 pounds.

With a Class C license, you can drive:

Small passenger vans or shuttle buses
HazMat vehicle if you have the proper endorsement
Vehicles that don’t fall under Class A or Class B

This is a good choice if you plan to work as a shuttle driver. Medical transport driver or driver for companies handling hazardous materials.

What Are Endorsements?

Endorsements are special permissions added to your CDL that allow you to drive certain types of vehicles that carry specific cargo. A CDL limits you to operating certain vehicles that fall under your class and don’t require endorsements. With endorsement, you can transport a larger variety of goods.

Common endorsements are:

P – for transporting passengers
T – to tow double or triple trailers
N – to operate a tank vehicle with gases or liquids
H – for hazardous materials like HazMat
S – to operate a school bus
X – a combination of N and H

To earn these endorsements, you need to pass extra tests, and some require background tests.

Conclusion

The CDL you need depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive and the job you are aiming for. Before you apply, make sure that you check your DMV for specific rules and testing requirements.

(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)

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