Class B To Class A CDL
Topic 16802 | Page 1
I would imagine the necessary written tests, pre trip, and backing/road skills. I do not think there is a short cut from B to A. Its a completely different animal.
In Florida I went from a Class B w/air brakes to a class A w/tanker and had to take all the usual tests except air brakes. Had to study Rules & Regulations, Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Combination Vehicles, Pre-Trip Inspection , and Driving Exam for testing at DMV (also Tanker may not apply to you). Include air brakes if they don't have the endorsement already. The actual CDL A test I took consisted of a pre-trip inspection, 3 backing maneuvers, and a driving test. Check with your state DMV for details that may be different.
Kansas Commercial Vehicle Services by County
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
I'm going from a Class B to a Class A currently in Alaska. Basically the same way anyone would start on a Class A. Get your Class IA Permit by passing DMV written exams they have not previously completed, then passing the road test for Class A after the minimum amount of days.
Will have to start with combination vehicles written exam (and air brakes if not already completed). Like Bill said, double check with your State DMV.
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
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I have an applicant who has a Class B KS CDL license and wants to get a Class A CDL license so he can driver for our company. What does it take to upgrade your CDL from B to A?
Janice EJ Trucking LLC Canton KS
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: