Beginers Question
Topic 6401 | Page 1
what's the diffence in class a and class b cdl
Class A is a combination vehicle license (ie. a tractor and a trailer) and is what most longhaul truck drivers obtain. Class B is for single vehicles (like a straight truck) and is often used in local trucking or construction applications. Many times people will get a Class B with a passenger endorsement, allowing them to drive a bus.
Of course, there are exceptions; for example many local daycab drivers use a Class A. Also, Class A drivers may operate Class B vehicles; but Class B license holders cannot operate Class A vehicles. This page explains more about different license classes, weight limits, etc.: Classifications
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Welcome Clinton!
You'll want to dive into our amazing High Road Training Program if you decide you'd like to get started in trucking. That program contains the entire CDL manual and will prepare you for the written CDL permit exam and all of the endorsement exams.
Here's an excerpt from Driver's License Classifications on page 2 of the program:
1.5 Driver's License Classifications
Class A - Combination vehicles - GCWR* of 26,001 or more pounds providing the GVWR** of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B - Single vehicle with a GVWR** of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class C - Single vehicle with a GVWR** of at least 16,001 pounds but less than 26,001 pounds.
Class D - Single vehicle with a GVWR** of less than 16,001 pounds.
*GCWR - Gross Combined Weight Rating
**GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
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.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GVWR is the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer, minus any trailers.
GCWR:
Gross Combined Weight Rating
The GCWR refers to the total weight of a vehicle, including all trailers.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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what's the diffence in class a and class b cdl
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: