CDL License Classes - GR TRUCKING - Concrete Recycling and Aggregate Material Transport

CDL License Classes

Gr Trucking | Concrete Recycling | Material Trucking | Sacramento

A CDL is a commercial driver’s license and this type of license is required if you want to operate large, heavy, or placarded hazardous material vehicles in the U.S. Under the CDL umbrella there are different commercial classes: Class A, B, and C. Today we are going to go over what differentiates each class.

Class A:

A Class A CDL is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds. Vehicles that you can drive with a Class A license are tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, tanker vehicles, livestock carriers, and flatbeds. With a Class A license, you might be able to drive most Class B and Class C vehicles depending on endorsement requirements.

Class B:

A Class B CDL is required to operate any single vehicle that is not hitched to a trailer. This essentially means any vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds, or a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 pounds. Vehicles that you can drive with a Class B license are straight trucks, large buses, segmented buses, box trucks, and dump trucks with small trailers.

Class C:

A Class C CDL is required to operate a single vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 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. Vehicles that you can drive with a Class C license are double/triple trailers, buses, tank trucks, and hazmat vehicles.

If you are looking for a career on the road rather than in an office, obtaining a CDL is a great route to take. With each license obtained you will have the highly specialized knowledge and skills to operate a commercial motor vehicle and can definitely make a good career out of it!

For more information on CDL licenses please reach out to us here at Gr Trucking.