Classes of Licenses
Classes of Licenses
Commercial driver licenses (CDLs) are divided into three classes: Class A, B and C. Please refer to Section 1 of the CDL manual for more information on deciding what class of CDL you may need.
- A Class A license is valid for operating either of the following:
- A motor vehicle that tows a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds if the gross combined weight rating is 26,001 or more pounds.
- A vehicle that requires a Class B, C or D license
- A Class B license is valid for operating any of the following:
- A single motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds.
- A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds that tows a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
- A vehicle that requires a Class C or D license for operation.
- A Class C license is valid for operating any of the following:
- A single motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less.
- A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less that tows a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 or less.
- A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less that tows a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds, if the gross combined weight rating is less than 26,001 pounds.
- A vehicle that is required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
- A bus or school bus.
- A vehicle that requires a class D license for operation.
"Gross Vehicle Weight Rating" means the weight that is assigned by the motor vehicle manufacturer to a motor vehicle and that represents the maximum recommended total weight, including the vehicle and the load for the vehicle.
"Gross Combined Weight Rating" means the sum of the gross vehicle weight rating of a motor vehicle and the trailer or semitrailer the motor vehicle tows.