Get Cdl Class B License Classes Overview

This law made it mandatory for all drivers of commercial vehicles to have a CDL.

There are a several different types of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that require a driver to hold a valid commercial drivers license.

To drive certain specialized types of vehicles such as buses or tank trucks or carry hazardous materials, you must also apply for the proper endorsements on your CDL.

Endorsements include Passenger (P), allowing you to carry passengers; Tank (T), allowing you to drive trucks containing liquid cargo; and H (Hazardous Materials), allowing you to drive trucks containing such hazardous materials as flammable liquids, explosives, or radioactive substances.

To obtain an endorsement, you will need to pass a specialized knowledge exam and possibly a specialized driving skills test.

To obtain a School Bus (S) endorsement, you must also undergo a thorough background check.

Get Cdl Class B License Classes Overview

CDL License Classes Overview (March 2021): Type of License Description Vehicles You May Drive Class A CDL Required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds.

Tractor-trailers (also known as Semi, Big Rig or 18-wheeler), Truck and trailer combinations, Tanker vehicles, Livestock carriers, Flatbeds.

Most Class B and Class C vehicles, depending on endorsement requirements Class B CDL Required to operate operate any single vehicle that isnt hitched to a trailer (commercial trucks that have an attached cab and cargo area with a combined weight greater than 26,000 pounds, as well as trucks with a detached towed cargo vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds).

Straight trucks, Large buses (city buses, tourist buses, and school buses), Segmented buses, Box trucks (including delivery trucks and furniture trucks), Dump trucks with small trailers.

Class C CDL Required to operate a single vehicle with GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds or a vehicle towing another vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds, or transports 16 or more passengers, including the driver.

DoubleTripe Trailers, Buses, Tank Trucks, HazMat Vehicles Below is a list of all Commercial Drivers License classes.

What is a Class A CDL A Class A commercial drivers license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds.

What is a Class B CDL A Class B commercial drivers license is required to operate a single vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or tow a vehicle not heavier than 10,000 pounds.

With a Class B CDL and the appropriate endorsements, you may drive the following types of vehicles: Straight trucks Large passenger buses Segmented buses Box trucks Dump trucks with small trailers Tractor-trailers Young man entering a HARTs passenger bus (image credit) With the proper endorsements, your Class B CDL may also allow you to operate some Class C vehicles.

What is a Class C CDL A Class C commercial drivers license is required to operate a vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more occupants (including you, the driver) or transport hazardous materials (HazMat), materials that are classified as hazardous under federal law.

With a Class C CDL and the proper endorsements, you may drive the following types of vehicles: Small HazMat vehicles Passenger vans Combination vehicles not covered by Classes A or B HazMat Tanker truck of Sodium Hydroxide Solution (image credit) What is a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) A Commercial Drivers License is required to drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) such as tractor trailers, semi-trucks, dump trucks, and passenger buses.

If you long for a career on the road rather than in an office, youll most likely need a CDL.

There are three classes of CDLs that determine the kinds of vehicles youre permitted to drive: Class A, Class B, and Class C.

CDL classification is also determined by the vehicles gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and other specific requirements.

It takes highly specialized knowledge and skills to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

But prior to 1986, many states allowed anyone with an automobile driver license to operate a CMV.

As a result, many drivers throughout the country were driving CMVs without proper training.

On October 27, 1986, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act was signed into law.