Which vehicles require cdl

The gross vehicle weight rating does not necessarily means that the vehicle is carrying that amount of weight. Tractor-trailer vehicles may weigh less when empty. It's the rating that applies. Class B CDL vehicles commonly include dump trucks, fire trucks and garbage trucks. Work In House. Apply Now. Share on facebook. Share on linkedin. There are four scenarios where drivers are required to have a CDL: Driving a vehicle that weighs 26, pounds or more, excluding trailers Hauling a trailer that weighs more than 10, pounds Driving any vehicle designed to carry 16 or more people Transporting hazardous materials Because different types of commercial vehicles have different skill requirements, there are three categories of CDLs which are known as Class A, Class B, and Class C.

Getting a Class A CDL entitles you to operate a combination of vehicles — such as a semi-tractor and trailer — with a gross vehicle weight rating GVWR of 26, pounds or more. It also entitles you to haul a trailer that weighs 10, pounds or more.

Special endorsements can be obtained for hauling specific types of cargo, such as hazardous materials. The following types of vehicles may be driven with a Class A: Tractor-trailer, also known as a semi, big rig or wheeler Truck and trailer combinations, including double and triple trailers Tractor trailer buses Tanker vehicles Flatbed vehicles Most Class B and Class C vehicles, depending on endorsement requirements A Class B CDL lets you drive a single vehicle weighing 26, pounds or more without a trailer.

It also allows you to operate any vehicle towing a trailer that weighs less than 10, pounds. The following types of vehicles may be driven with a Class B: Straight trucks Large buses, such as city buses, tourist buses and school buses Segmented buses Box trucks, including delivery trucks and furniture trucks Dump trucks with small trailers Some Class C vehicles with the correct endorsements The Class C CDL applies to vehicles not covered by Classes A or B.

It is needed to drive vehicles that transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and for some smaller vehicles that haul hazardous materials. It is the preferred choice of most drivers wanting a long-term career on the road. It authorizes the driver to operate a greater variety of commercial vehicles. It typically allows drivers to travel longer distances and see the country. Trucking is seen as a short-term job before moving on to a more permanent career.

The driver wants to work a more limited geographic scope, such as within a single metro area or state. Have questions and want to speak with a Recruiter? Call today.

Recent Posts. Follow Us. 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 professional CDL training from the comfort of your home. Pass Guarantee. A Class A commercial driver's license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating GVWR of 26, or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10, pounds.

Tractor semi truck with flatbed trailer image credit. A Class B commercial driver's license is required to operate a single vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26, or more pounds, or tow a vehicle not heavier than 10, pounds. A Class C commercial driver's 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.

A Commercial Driver's License is required to drive commercial motor vehicles CMVs such as tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, dump trucks, and passenger buses. CDL classification is also determined by the vehicle's 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 , many states allowed anyone with an automobile driver license to operate a CMV.