With a class c license a person may drive

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required to operate large, heavy, or placarded hazardous material vehicles in the United States in commerce. There are several different types of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that require a driver to hold a valid commercial driver's license. Employers actively look for CDL drivers with one of these license classes, so we recommend you get the one you need before applying for your dream job.

To drive certain specialized types of vehicles such as buses or tank trucks or carry hazardous materials, you must also apply for the proper endorsements on your CDL. Endorsements include Passenger (P), allowing you to carry passengers; Tank (T), allowing you to drive trucks containing liquid cargo; and H (Hazardous Materials), allowing you to drive trucks containing such hazardous materials as flammable liquids, explosives, or radioactive substances. To obtain an endorsement, you will need to pass a specialized knowledge exam and possibly a specialized driving skills test. To obtain an H, P, or School Bus (S) endorsement, you must successfully complete training from FMCSA-approved training providers. To obtain an S endorsement, you must also undergo a thorough background check.

Get professional CDL training from the comfort of your home - from a trusted FMCSA-approved ELDT provider. Pass Guarantee.

CDL License Classes Overview (December 2022):

Type of LicenseDescriptionVehicles You May DriveClass A CDLRequired to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds.Tractor-trailers (also known as Semi, Big Rig or 18-wheeler), Truck and trailer combinations, Tanker vehicles, Livestock carriers, Flatbeds. Most Class B and Class C vehicles, depending on endorsement requirementsClass B CDLRequired to operate any single vehicle that isn’t hitched to a trailer (commercial trucks that have an attached cab and cargo area with a combined weight greater than 26,000 pounds, as well as trucks with a detached towed cargo vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds).Straight trucks, Large buses (city buses, tourist buses, and school buses), Segmented buses, Box trucks (including delivery trucks and furniture trucks), Dump trucks with small trailers. Some Class C vehicles with the correct endorsements.Class C CDLRequired to operate a single vehicle with GVWR of less than 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.Double/Tripe Trailers, Buses, Tank Trucks, HazMat Vehicles

Below is a list of all Commercial Driver’s License classes.

What is a Class A CDL?

A Class A commercial driver's license is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds.

With a Class A CDL and the proper endorsements, you may drive the following types of vehicles:

  • Tractor-trailers
  • Truck and trailer combinations
  • Tank vehicles
  • Livestock carriers
  • Flatbeds

With a class c license a person may drive

Tractor semi truck with flatbed trailer image credit

With the proper endorsements, your CDL Class A may also allow you to drive some Class B and Class C vehicles.

What is a Class B CDL?

A Class B commercial driver's license is required to operate a single vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or tow a vehicle not heavier than 10,000 pounds.

With a Class B CDL and the appropriate endorsements, you may drive the following types of vehicles:

  • Straight trucks
  • Large passenger buses
  • Segmented buses
  • Box trucks
  • Dump trucks with small trailers
  • Tractor-trailers

With a class c license a person may drive

Young man entering a HART’s passenger bus (image credit)

With the proper endorsements, your Class B CDL may also allow you to operate some Class C vehicles.

What is a Class C CDL?

A Class C commercial driver's license is required to operate a vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more occupants (including you, the driver) or transport hazardous materials (HazMat), materials that are classified as hazardous under federal law.

With a Class C CDL and the proper endorsements, you may drive the following types of vehicles:

  • Small HazMat vehicles
  • Passenger vans
  • Combination vehicles not covered by Classes A or B

With a class c license a person may drive

HazMat Tanker truck of Sodium Hydroxide Solution (image credit)

What is a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)?

A Commercial Driver's License is required to drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) such as tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, dump trucks, and passenger buses. If you long for a career on the road rather than in an office, you’ll most likely need a CDL. There are three classes of CDLs that determine the kinds of vehicles you’re permitted to drive: Class A, Class B, and Class C. CDL classification is also determined by the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and other specific requirements.

It takes highly specialized knowledge and skills to operate a commercial motor vehicle. But prior to 1986, many states allowed anyone with an automobile driver license to operate a CMV. As a result, many drivers throughout the country were driving CMVs without proper training. On October 27, 1986, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act was signed into law. This law made it mandatory for all drivers of commercial vehicles to have a CDL. By ensuring that bus drivers and operators of large trucks are highly trained and qualified, this law has improved highway safety significantly. A further upgrade of driver training standards took place on February 7, 2022. Effective that date, applicants seeking to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL or an H, P, or S endorsement must successfully complete training from FMCSA-approved training providers listed in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR).

What is a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)?

A commercial learner’s permit (CLP) is a permit given by your state that authorizes you to practice driving a commercial motor vehicle. Obtaining a CLP is the first step towards earning a commercial driver’s license.

The minimum age to apply for a CDL is typically 21. However, some states allow drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 to apply for a single-state CDL. A single-state CDL allows the driver to only operate a commercial vehicle within the driver’s state of residence (intrastate driving). When the driver turns 21, that restriction is automatically removed.

You can apply for a CDL at a local DMV office. There are strict federal guidelines for obtaining a CDL, and each state has its own requirements that need to be also met. You must pass both a written knowledge exam and a driving skills test, which are designed by your state.

What does C allow you to drive?

A category C license allows drivers to drive vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, but must not exceed 32 tonnes. Category C (or Class 2 as they are otherwise known) licenses typically cover a vehicle with a cab and trailer fixed permanently together. In other words, what we would consider a 'standard lorry'.

What does class C mean on driver's license in NC?

Class C: Required to operate any noncommercial single vehicle with a. GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds; and a vehicle towing a vehicle which has. a combined GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds operated by a driver 18 years. old or older. Most drivers need only a Regular Class C license to operate.

What does class C mean on Texas license?

Class C. Authorizes an individual to drive: Single vehicle or combination of vehicles that are not included in Class A or B. Single vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds towing a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 pounds. Designed to transport 23 or less passengers including the driver.

What does C mean on Colorado driver's license?

This class permits the operation of all vehicles in Class C, but does not permit the operation of a motorcycle, motorscooter, motor-driven cycle, or a bus equipped for carrying ten or more persons. Class C - This is the basic drivers' license and permits the operation of any two-axle vehicle.