What is a Commercial’s Drivers License?
A CDL, also known as a commercial driver’s license, is a driver’s license you must earn if you wish to drive a large or heavy vehicle within the United States. Sometimes a CDL will be needed if you plan to drive with any hazardous chemicals as well. You may not know this, but there are multiple different types of CDL’s. Class A, B, and C licenses will allow you to do separate things. Here are some exampabl les of what you can do with the different types of CDLs.
What is a Class A CDL?
A Class A-CDL is required if you plan to operate any combined vehicles with a gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds. Usually, you will be using a vehicle that already has 10,000 pounds of weight, which will be added to the total weight you carry on the vehicle. Some of the vehicles you may drive with a Class A license includes semis, big rigs, flatbeds, livestock carrier, and more.
What is a Class B CDL?
A Class B-CDL is required if you plan on operating a single vehicle with a gross weight greater than 26,000 pounds, including any attachments. Class B drivers will usually drive straight trucks, large buses, catering trucks, small delivery trucks, and box trucks.
What is Class C-CDL?
A Class C-CDL is needed to operate a singular vehicle with a gross weight of fewer than 26.001 pounds or if you plan to tow a vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 lbs. This also includes when carrying 16 or more passengers. This is usually common for buses and or trailers.
What type of endorsements are there for a CDL License?
Suppose you are interested in driving certain commercial vehicles such as a bus, tank, or vehicle traveling with hazardous materials. In that case, you will need to get specific endorsements along with your CDL. Endorsements help make it easier for you to get a commercial driver’s license for your particular needs.
Some of the different types of endorsements are (P) Passenger, (H) Hazardous materials, and (T) Tanks. Below tells you what these endorsements may do for you should you wish to get them added to your license.
- You can drive with passengers inside the vehicle.
- You are licensed to operate while carrying dangerous materials.
- You can have loads containing liquids.
What do I need to get a CDL license?
You need to be over the age of 21 and then submit an application with fees included. You will also need to provide an ID of some sort as well as a social security number. You must also be a U.S. resident with proof of state. As well, you will need to pass medical reports and eye exams for safety. You will then be required to pass an exam to see if you’re ready to drive on the roads. If you pass, you will be given a permit to operate, and after 14 days, you can take a road examination. Then you must pass all the required tests, after which you will pay all fees for our CDL, and you’re ready to go.
