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CDL LICENSE GUIDE

CDL Classes
explained clearly.

Class A, B and C are based on the vehicle’s weight, configuration and use—not simply its size. Compare what each license covers, the vehicles you can drive, common careers, testing, ELDT and endorsement requirements.

Compare classes How to choose
COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE
UNITED STATES • CLASS GUIDE
A • B • C
VEHICLEWeight + use
AUTHORITYState issued
BASELINEFederal rules
A
Class A CDLCombination vehicles
B
Class B CDLHeavy single vehicles
C
Class C CDLPassenger or hazardous-material vehicles
THE CORE DISTINCTION

Weight determines the class. Use may trigger an endorsement.

A CDL class defines the category of commercial motor vehicle you may operate. Endorsements add authority for specific operations such as passengers, school buses, tank vehicles, doubles/triples or hazardous materials. Restrictions can limit equipment you may use.

01
CDL CLASS A

Class A CDL

The broadest CDL class for drivers who want to operate tractor-trailers and other heavy combination vehicles.

LICENSE THRESHOLDGCWR 26,001+ lb, with a towed unit over 10,000 lb

Vehicles you may operate

  • Tractor-trailer / semi-truck
  • Truck and trailer combinations
  • Tank vehicles and livestock carriers
  • Flatbeds and vehicle transporters

Common career paths

  • Over-the-road driver
  • Regional or local tractor-trailer driver
  • Specialized freight driver
  • Owner-operator

Typical testing path

  1. 1General Knowledge
  2. 2Combination Vehicles
  3. 3Air Brakes, when equipped
  4. 4State CDL skills test
Practice for your state
02
CDL CLASS B

Class B CDL

Designed for large single vehicles and certain straight-truck careers, with endorsements available for passenger and school bus work.

LICENSE THRESHOLDGVWR 26,001+ lb, towing 10,000 lb or less

Vehicles you may operate

  • Straight truck / box truck
  • Dump truck
  • Large delivery vehicle
  • Transit, motorcoach or school bus with endorsements

Common career paths

  • Local delivery driver
  • Dump or refuse truck driver
  • Utility or construction driver
  • Bus driver with the required endorsement

Typical testing path

  1. 1General Knowledge
  2. 2Air Brakes, when equipped
  3. 3Applicable endorsement tests
  4. 4State CDL skills test
Practice for your state
03
CDL CLASS C

Class C CDL

Applies when a smaller commercial vehicle is designed to transport regulated passenger counts or requires hazardous-material placards.

LICENSE THRESHOLDVehicles outside Class A/B that meet passenger or HazMat criteria

Vehicles you may operate

  • Small passenger vehicle
  • Shuttle or passenger van
  • Small HazMat vehicle
  • Specialized community transport

Common career paths

  • Shuttle driver
  • Passenger transport driver
  • Hazardous-material driver
  • Specialty service driver

Typical testing path

  1. 1General Knowledge, as required
  2. 2Passenger and/or HazMat knowledge
  3. 3Vehicle-specific skills test
  4. 4Any state-required tests
Practice for your state
SIDE-BY-SIDE

Quick CDL class comparison

Use this as an orientation guide. Your state licensing agency makes the final classification and testing determination.

FeatureClass AClass BClass C
Primary vehicle type

Combination

Heavy single

Passenger / HazMat use

Power unit or vehicle rating

26,001+ lb GCWR

26,001+ lb GVWR

Below A/B thresholds

Towed unit

Over 10,000 lb

10,000 lb or less

Does not define the class

Typical example

Tractor-trailer

Straight truck

Shuttle / HazMat vehicle

ELDT for first-time license

Yes

Yes

Depends on endorsement path

ADD THE RIGHT AUTHORITY

CDL endorsements

Your license class and endorsements work together. Some operations also require ELDT before the state knowledge or skills test.

H

Hazardous Materials

Knowledge test, TSA security threat assessment and first-time H ELDT

P

Passenger

Passenger knowledge and skills testing; first-time P ELDT

S

School Bus

School Bus plus Passenger requirements; first-time S ELDT

N

Tank Vehicle

Required for certain liquid or gaseous cargo tanks

T

Doubles / Triples

Required to pull double or triple trailers where permitted

X

Tank + HazMat

Combined tank vehicle and hazardous materials endorsement

Explore all endorsements
DECISION GUIDE

Which CDL class should you choose?

Start with the heaviest and most complex vehicle you realistically plan to operate. A broader license can create more options, but training should match your actual career goal and equipment.

Choose Class A if…

You want to drive tractor-trailers, pull trailers rated over 10,000 pounds, or keep the widest range of heavy-vehicle career options.

Choose Class B if…

You plan to operate heavy straight trucks, local vocational vehicles, or buses and do not need a heavy combination vehicle.

Choose Class C if…

Your vehicle falls outside Class A and B but its passenger capacity or hazardous-material use requires a CDL.

FROM GOAL TO LICENSE

Your CDL roadmap

01

Choose class

Match the license to the vehicle and career.

02

Meet prerequisites

Check age, medical and state application rules.

03

Earn your CLP

Pass the required state knowledge tests.

04

Complete ELDT

Use a listed provider when federal ELDT applies.

05

Pass skills testing

Complete inspection, control and road portions.

COMMON QUESTIONS

CDL class FAQs

Is Class A automatically better than Class B?+

No. Class A authorizes heavier combinations and often offers broader career flexibility, while Class B is the direct fit for many local, construction, municipal, delivery and bus careers.

Can a Class A driver operate Class B vehicles?+

Generally, a properly licensed Class A driver may operate vehicles in the lower classes when the required endorsements are held and no restriction prevents it. Confirm the exact rule with your state.

Do I need ELDT for every CDL class?+

Federal ELDT applies to first-time Class A and Class B applicants, Class B-to-A upgrades, and first-time H, P or S endorsements. Training must be completed with a provider listed on the Training Provider Registry.

What are CDL restrictions?+

Restrictions limit the type of equipment or operation allowed—for example, air-brake, manual-transmission or tractor-trailer restrictions. The vehicle used for testing can affect the restrictions placed on your license.

Who issues the CDL?+

Your state driver licensing agency issues the CDL and administers the testing process. Federal rules establish the national baseline, while application steps and fees vary by state.

READY FOR HANDS-ON TRAINING?

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Review available CDL programs, training options and the next steps toward enrollment.

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