In order to be able to legally drive certain types of vehicles such as trucks and buses, you’ll need to have a commercial driver’s license. Whether you’re trying a new career or you’re taking a new direction, it’s important you understand what it means to get your CDL and the difference between a CDL class A and a CDL class B. If you love driving, you might be very interested in pursuing a career out of it. Having a CDL may open lots of doors for you.

For starters, a heavy commercial vehicle is significantly different than a regular car in terms of mechanics and driving. So, you need to have highly specialized training and skills to safely drive commercial motor vehicles. Since 1986, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act was signed into law and made it mandatory that all commercial drivers have a CDL. A commercial driver’s license is proof that you’re competent and skilled to drive these heavy vehicles.

CDLs Classes

There are three classes of commercial driver’s licenses. Each class determines the type of vehicle you’re allowed to drive.

CDL Class A: Required to drive any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 26,001 or more pounds as long as the weight of the towed vehicles is heavier than 10,000 pounds.

When you have a CDL class A with the proper endorsements, you’re able to drive:

· Flatbeds

· Tractor-Trailers

· Truck & Trailer combinations

· Tanker vehicles

· Livestock Carriers

CDL class B: Required to drive a single vehicle with a GVW of 26,001 or more pounds or a vehicle towing another vehicle that doesn’t surpass 10,000 pounds.

When you have a CDL class B with the proper endorsements, you can drive:

· Straight trucks

· Large passenger buses

· Segmented buses

· Box Trucks

· Tractor-Trailers

· Dump Trucks

· Tow Trucks

· Delivery Trucks

· Garbage Trucks

CDL Class C: Required to drive a single vehicle or combination of vehicles that don’t meet the Class A or B definition, but it’s designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including you) or is required to be placarded for hazardous material.

When you have a CDL class C you’re able to drive:

· Small Hazardous Material Vehicles

· Passenger Vans

· Combination Vehicles Not Covered by Classes A or B

Get your CDL with Detroit Training Center

We want to help our community by providing unrivaled vocational training. Whether you need a Class A CDL or a Class B CDL, rest assured you’ve come to the right place. Learn more about our commercial driver’s license program here.