Operating a large commercial vehicle is different from driving a standard four-wheel car in every way. These trucks are more difficult to maneuver, are challenging to bring to a stop, and pose a variety of safety hazards due to their size. So it’s essential that drivers of commercial vehicles know how to operate them safely. That’s why all commercial vehicle drivers are required, by law, to obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
To earn a CDL, drivers must go through comprehensive training and testing to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed to operate large commercial vehicles safely. However, multiple types of CDLs correspond to the different vehicles and cargo loads a driver might be handling.
It’s essential to know which types of CDL you or your drivers need to obtain to keep the roads safe and remain compliant. Otherwise, you open yourself up to lost driving time, fines, or in the worst-case scenario, a truck accident lawsuit.
Let's explore the various types of commercial driver's licenses and which types of commercial vehicles they enable someone to drive, so you can identify a safe truck driver, should you ever be in a crash.
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No other law firm knows trucks quite like us. Our trucking law expertise and trial experience allow us to win multi-million-dollar results year after year.
Involved in a Crash?
Our team of truck accident attorneys works tirelessly to help your family find justice in the wake of a catastrophic truck crash.
Class A CDL: The Getaway to Heavy Loads
There are three primary types of CDLs – Class A, Class B, and Class C. Those CDLs can also come with various endorsements for driving certain types of cargo. Determining which commercial driver’s license you need starts with the vehicle's weight. The heaviest trucks will fall under Class A, while drivers of the smallest vehicles will likely need a Class C license.
A Class A CDL is required for drivers who operate vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is more than 10,000 pounds. Trucks that require a Class A license include but are not limited to:
- Tractor-trailers: Also known as semi-trucks, big rigs, or 18-wheelers, these vehicles are the backbone of interstate freight transport.
- Tanker trucks: Designed to carry liquid or gaseous materials, these trucks also require special endorsements due to the hazardous nature of some cargoes.
- Flatbed trucks: These vehicles are used to transport oversized goods or equipment.
- Livestock carriers: This includes all specialized vehicles for transporting live animals.
A Class A CDL offers the greatest flexibility for commercial drivers because it covers the highest weight limits. With the appropriate endorsements, this license also permits drivers to operate vehicles classified as Class B or Class C.
Class B CDL: For Heavier Straight Vehicles
The Class B CDL is for drivers operating single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any vehicle towing another that does not exceed a GVWR of 10,000 pounds. Vehicles covered by a Class B CDL include:
- Straight trucks: This includes larger cargo trucks that are not coupled with a trailer.
- Large passenger buses: These vehicles include city buses, tourist buses, and school buses, but they are also subject to additional passenger endorsements.
- Box trucks: These trucks are commonly used for delivery and moving services.
- Dump trucks: Used in construction, mining, or similar industries, dump trucks are used for transporting materials.
While Class A vehicles tend to cross the country on interstate highways, Class B vehicles are used in more localized commercial driving and include school buses, local delivery trucks and vans, and garbage trucks. The driver of a tractor-trailer may need to be highly trained in how to maneuver speeding vehicles and navigate complex roadways, but bus, van, and delivery truck drivers need to understand how to move their vehicles through stop-and-start traffic and ensure the safety of vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists.
Much like a Class A CDL, a Class B CDL allows the holder to drive vehicles belonging to a smaller class (Class C), provided they obtain the necessary endorsements for their cargo.
Class C CDL: Vehicles for Specialized Cargo
A Class C CDL is required for operating vehicles that don’t fit into the Class A or Class B categories. This includes any commercial vehicle with a GVWR that’s less than 26,001 pounds, vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or vehicles used to transport hazardous materials (HazMat), which also require a special endorsement. Drivers with a Class C CDL often work in niche areas of transport, focusing on passenger services or the careful handling of hazardous substances.
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What are the Different Types of CDL Endorsements?
While a commercial driver's license broadly allows individuals to operate large and heavy vehicles, CDL endorsements can be tacked onto Class A, B, or C licenses to enable drivers to operate certain types of commercial vehicles or transport specific goods. Drivers hoping to obtain one of these endorsements will need to undergo additional training and testing to prove they have the specialized skills needed to operate these vehicles and comply with safety regulations.
Here are the most common types of CDL endorsements set at the national level:
H Endorsement: Hazardous MaterialsAny item or agent (biological, chemical, physical) that has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors. Can be referred to as HAZMAT. (HazMat)
If you are transporting hazardous materials that need to be placarded under Department of Transportation rules, you’ll need the H endorsement. Obtaining an H endorsement involves passing a Transportation Security Administration background check and a test to prove you know how to handle hazardous materials.
N Endorsement: Tank Vehicles
Drivers carrying liquids or gaseous materials in tanks will need an N endorsement. This generally applies to tanks that hold more than 119 gallons or are hauling an aggregate of 1,000 gallons or more. This includes tank trucks and drivers hauling portable tanks.
P Endorsement: Passenger Vehicles
This endorsement is required for anyone driving a vehicle that carries 16 or more passengers (including the driver). This can include school buses, city buses, tour buses, and more. The P endorsement requires passing both a knowledge test and a skills test that needs to be taken in a passenger vehicle.
State-specific endorsements
In addition to the federally mandated endorsements, states can create their own list of endorsements that drivers must meet to earn their CDL for certain types of vehicles.
Below are a few of the more common state-specific endorsements:
- Air Brakes (endorsement F): Some states require an F endorsement for vehicles equipped with air brakes. This endorsement is obtained by passing a written air brakes knowledge test. Depending on the state's requirements, a practical skills test may be required as well.
- Farm endorsements: Some states require farm endorsements for those who want to drive specific agricultural vehicles. For instance, in New York, drivers with Class A and B CDLs need F and G endorsements to drive agriculture equipment. Michigan requires Class B and C CDL holders to acquire a farm endorsement to transport agricultural goods and machinery. These endorsements demand that drivers understand the unique requirements of farming operations, streamlining the process for those in the agricultural sector. The process for obtaining these endorsements may vary by state depending on the nature of the farming community.
- Recreational vehicle (RV) endorsements: State-specific RV endorsements are sometimes necessary in order to drive larger RVs. In California, for example, Class C CDL holders need a special endorsement to operate fifth-wheel recreational trailers weighing between 10,001 and 15,000 pounds. This endorsement ensures drivers can safely handle the nuances of larger RVs. Earning an RV endorsement typically involves a state-mandated knowledge test focused on RV operation.
Do I Need a Commercial Driver's License to Drive a Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck?
Heavy-duty pickup trucks like the Ford F250 and the RAM 3500 represent a class of vehicles designed for more strenuous tasks than their light-duty counterparts. These trucks are engineered to handle substantial towing capacities, heavy payloads, and more demanding work environments, making them a preferred choice for a variety of commercial and personal applications. For the most part, operating a heavy-duty pickup truck for personal use does not require a commercial driver's license. However, when used in certain commercial capacities or under conditions that exceed specific weight thresholds, a CDL may be necessary.
Here are a few of the key factors that may influence the need for a CDL:
GVWR: If the combined GVWR of the truck and any towed unit exceeds 26,001 pounds, you will need a CDL.
Hazardous materials: If you are transporting hazardous materials in quantities that require placarding, you will need a CDL.
Passenger capacity: If you plan to modify the vehicle to carry more than 15 passengers, you will likely need a CDL.
Because there are some variances in these rules, it’s essential that drivers — and transportation companies hiring drivers — are aware of the nuances of pick-up truck regulations, especially if the trucks are used for commercial purposes. Regulations can also vary by state, so check with local laws and requirements to ensure you meet state and national regulations.
The Importance of Getting the Right CDL
Whether you’re an independent driver looking to get licensed or a hiring manager at a transportation company searching for the best candidate, it’s essential to know the ins and outs of CDLs. The training required to obtain a CDL and driving endorsements teaches drivers how to handle their vehicle and cargo safely, which keeps everyone safe — including you.
Hiring drivers with a valid CDL not only keeps our roads safer, but it also limits the chances of a costly accident or lawsuit against your company. If found driving without a CDL, your driver could lose their license or, in some cases, be imprisoned. In the case of a commercial vehicle accident, it’s also possible that your truck accident attorney will want to sue the trucking company for negligence if they hired a driver without a CDL or without the proper type/endorsements.
To learn more about how to better protect our roads through obtaining the right CDLs, contact the attorneys at the Law Firm for Truck Safety today.
