A standard Class D license is enough to drive most everyday vehicles, but when it comes to operating larger trucks or buses, a commercial driver's license (CDL) is required. This special license ensures drivers are properly trained and equipped to handle these heavier, more complex vehicles.
What Is a CDL?
A commercial driver's license, or CDL, is a specialized type of license that’s required to operate heavy or large vehicles like trucks or buses in the United States. This federal requirement applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more or those designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver).1 The types of trucks that require a CDL are significantly different from basic passenger vehicles, and greater levels of skill and knowledge are required to operate them.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees these licenses to ensure safety on the roads, but individual states issue their own licenses. This is because in 1986, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act declared that drivers could no longer have CDLs in multiple states, which could be used to hide bad driving records.
In addition to passing various tests to get a CDL license, drivers must meet specific age, residency, and health requirements, along with demonstrating knowledge and skill in operating large vehicles safely.
Obtaining a CDL at the State Level
Before 1986, the requirements varied from one state to the other. Thus, some truck drivers were not properly trained or qualified. The federal requirement covers all states and includes three classes.
Classes
There are three main licensure classes, including:2
- Class A: To drive trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more and a towing capacity exceeding 10,000 pounds.
- Class B: For those driving vehicles rated at 26,001 pounds or more that don’t tow vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
- Class C: For operators of vehicles, or combinations thereof, with a capacity for 16 or more passengers or for drivers of small hazardous materials vehicles.
CDL license training varies slightly based on the class of license you're pursuing, with each class covering different vehicle types and safety requirements.
Variations in Commercial Driver’s License Requirements by State
There are slight differences among states. A CDL holder in New York can operate school buses, while anyone in California employed to drive must have a CDL (regardless of whether it’s a commercial vehicle). New Jersey law specifies anyone who operates a bus, van, or limousine for commercial purposes must have a CDL. See the Trucker Country website for more CDL requirements by state.
CDL Endorsements
CDL endorsements allow drivers to expand their qualifications and operate specialized commercial vehicles. Each endorsement requires additional testing to ensure the driver is capable of handling specific cargo or vehicle types:2
- H – Hazardous Materials (HazMat)
- N – Tank Vehicles
- P – Passenger Transport
- S – School Bus
- T – Double/Triple Trailers
- X – Combination of Tanker and HazMat
Having the right endorsements enables CDL holders to take on a wider range of job opportunities, ensuring they are equipped for various roles in the industry.
CDL Restrictions
CDL restrictions limit the types of vehicles a driver can operate or the conditions under which they can drive. These restrictions are often due to a lack of certain skills or training:2
- E – No manual transmission
- O – No tractor-trailer
- K – Intrastate only (within a single state)
- L – No air brakes
- Z – No full air brake system
Understanding these restrictions is essential to ensuring drivers stay compliant with their license requirements and safely operate their designated vehicles.
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