Why Do You Need A CDL?

If you had enough trouble getting your regular driver's license you might sigh whenever the need for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) becomes a requirement for you to be a CDL Driver. But why do you need an extra driver’s license and what makes it so important? What does it allow you to do?

Well, depending on where you activated it, a commercial driver’s license allows you to operate different vehicles in different classes. These vehicles are traditionally heavier vehicles or vehicles that transport hazardous material in the U.S. The commercial driver’s license has several endorsements and classes attached to it, and here are some of the most common ones.

CDL Driver Classes

The first type of CDL is the class A CDL. This license is required whenever you want to drive a vehicle that has a combined weight of 26,001 pounds or more if the towed vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds. With a class A CDL, you can drive tractor-trailers, big rigs, and tanker vehicles.

The class B CDL is needed whenever you want to operate any single vehicle that is not attached to a trailer. Some of the eligible cars can include dump trucks, trucks with a detached towed cargo vehicle, and large buses.

The last class is a class C CDL, which is required to operate any vehicle that weighs less than 26,001 pounds. You will also need the license if your vehicle transports 16 or more passengers. Some of the vehicles you can drive with a class C include tank trucks, double and triple trailers, and most buses.

Also, most licenses cover for one another, especially since the vehicles can share properties from class to class. For example, a bus under the class C license might be covered if you only have a type B license, provided it is not attached to a trailer.

You don’t need to get all three CDLs, but can instead focus on the highest class (A) and then you will be able to drive most of the vehicles from lower classes.

Why Does It Matter?

Getting the proper license to become a CDL driver means that you can receive the training to drive larger trucks safely on the roads. If you want to be the best commercial truck driver that you can be, making sure that your commercial driver’s license is up to date is one of the best things that you can do.

The test itself is fairly standard, with a commercial knowledge test of 35 questions, and if it is applicable, an airbrake test for your vehicle. After you pass both, you will receive your license. Then you can drive any vehicle of your class on jobs and start earning money as a commercial driver.

A commercial driver’s license is one of those tools you need to be a good commercial driver, so make sure to find the proper company to get a license from. Contact Us Today!