Commercial Driver's Licenses: Types, Eligibility, and Career Options

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is essential for pursuing a job in the transportation sector. Whether you want to drive livestock carriers, tanker vehicles, or trucks, you need a CDL. However, many people are unaware that different types of CDLs exist, each with its qualifications and limits.

A CDL is essential for delivering commodities or driving a passenger bus across state boundaries. However, individuals applying for a license must comply with the rules under CDL eligibility and documentation.

This article provides insight into the types of commercial driver’s licenses, eligibility requirements, and career options.

Types of Commercial Driver Licenses

Commercial driver’s licenses are categorized into three classes: A, B, and C. Each class comes with a set of eligibility and restrictions.

Class A

Drivers eligible to operate a conventional large rig with a vehicle and trailer will gain a Class A CDL. The CDL class is the highest level of licensure, allowing the driver to operate any vehicle covered by lower-level CDL classes. A Class A CDL holder may also operate combination vehicles (tractor-trailer) with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or greater. Other than that, they are eligible to drive:

● Livestock carriers

● Flatbeds

● Tanker trucks

Class B

A Class B CDL covers a significantly smaller range of vehicles than a Class A CDL. You must also meet certain age and state-specific restrictions to obtain a Class B CDL. Class B is for people who want to drive vehicles that aren’t combined units but weigh more than 26,000 pounds. There are specific vehicles that fall under this type:

● Straight trucks

● Large passenger buses

● Segmented buses

● Box trucks

Class C

This commercial driver’s license allows drivers to operate vehicles that transport 16 or more passengers. Hazmat vehicles may also fall under this category, but drivers typically require additional endorsements depending on the type of hazardous materials transported. Small buses and vans with fewer than 16 passengers can also fall under Class C, but buses seating 16 or more require a Class B CDL with a passenger (P) endorsement.

Eligibility Requirement for Commercial Driver License

Once you know the types of commercial driver’s licenses, having an insight into the eligibility criteria is essential to gain any of the licenses.

● Age: Drivers seeking a CDL must be at least 18 years old. This allows them to operate within a single state (intrastate), and at 21 years of age, to drive interstate or transport hazardous items.

● Medical Certification: A valid medical certificate from an FMCSA-approved physician must indicate physical fitness to drive a commercial vehicle.