When thinking about getting a commercial drivers license (CDL), it can be hard to decide what kind of CDL you want and what additional endorsements you need on your license. Some of you might even be wondering about Class A vs Class B CDL licenses.
What kind of license is better, Class A license or Class B license, and why? How do these two things compare to each other? Is there one choice that stands out from the other ones? Are Class A CDLs seen as best option to Class B CDLs, or is it the other way around?
Read on to learn about commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) in general, the differences between a Class A CDL and a Class B CDL, and which CDL is best for your professional goals.
Class A CDL: What Is It, Its Advantage, and Cost?
The Class A commercial driver's license is essential if you want a successful career driving a semi-truck (CDL). Several types of vehicles need the Class A driver's license, including those with a gross combination weight rating of over 26,000 pounds and towing capacities above 10,000 pounds. To operate these vehicles, you must have this license. An 18-wheeler, a flatbed, a livestock carrier, and many more vehicles may all be operated with a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).
Having a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) gives you the freedom to drive on interstates, local roads, long distances, and over-the-road routes. To be eligible for a Class A driver's license, you must be at least 21 years old. If you have the proper endorsements, you may be able to drive Class B vehicles with a Class A license. This is because, in some ways, a Class A license could be thought of as a "do-it-all" license.
You may have to pay extra costs to cover the expense of items like materials and drug testing, as well as a permit test and a physical exam. Anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 is what you'll be accountable for paying for all of these items
Class B CDL: What Is It, Its Advantage, and Cost?
If you have a Class B commercial driver's license, you can drive a single vehicle with a gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds but no more than a 10,000-pound towing capacity.
If you have a Class B driver's license, you can drive a wide range of vehicles, such as trash trucks, delivery trucks, school buses, dump trucks, and more.
In order to get a commercial driver's license (CDL) for class B, you must be at least 18 years old. Also, drivers with a Class B commercial driver's license are only allowed to drive their vehicles in the state where they got the license.
Many schools charge from $2,000 to $5,000 for the Class B CDL training, which includes 80 hours of theory, knowledge test, air brakes, in-cab inspections, driving, pre-trip inspections, and other advanced driving skills. Some educational institutions may let people take part in the Class B program for free.
Why commercial driver’s license is required?
Getting a commercial driver's license is essential because it shows that you meet the requirements to drive heavy commercial motor vehicle and other large vehicles on public roads. To get a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), an applicant must first show that they can drive a vehicle according to the stricter rules that are in place and that they know how to do so. When driving a car on a public road, people with a CDL have more responsibilities and rules to follow. All kinds of vehicles are the same in this way. If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL) and are found guilty of major moving violations, you could lose your CDL.
Which Federal Agency issues this license?
Since April 1, 1992, people who want to drive certain commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) have had to have a commercial driver license (CDL). Even if they currently possess a regular driver's license for passenger vehicles, they will still be required to get a commercial driver's license. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is one organization with authority to set federal standards and out this license (FMCSA) in the United States.
This organization is responsible for developing and writing down state-level rules for how commercial driver's license (CDL) holders should be tested and licensed. Since this is a federal government requirement, states are compelled to hold off on granting CMV licenses until prospective drivers can show that they have the appropriate knowledge and skills to operate a CMV of a specific size and weight class.
Which commercial vehicles require a certain type of license (Semi trucks with trailers, straight trucks, etc.)?
The following are the vehicles you may drive along with a certain type of commercial driver’s license.
Class A CDL
* Tanker vehicles
* Tractor-trailers
* Livestock carriers
* Flatbeds
* Other truck and trailer combination type of vehicle
Class B CDL
* Box trucks (for example furniture and delivery trucks)
* Straight trucks
* Garbage trucks
* Dump trucks with small trailers.
* Large buses (for example School, city, and tourist buses)
* Segmented buses
What are typical weight limits for commercial vehicles and how they are related to CDL Class?
Commercial vehicles have different gross vehicle weight rating. This is why choosing which type of commercial vehicle you want to drive or are capable of driving determines your CDL license type, whether Class A or Class B.
Also, commercial vehicles that drive on the interstate system can't have a total gross weight of more than 80,000 pounds. This weight limit also applies to what's in the vehicle. This is the most weight a state can let a vehicle weigh.
The law says that a vehicle with one axle can weigh up to 20,000 pounds, while a car with two axles can weigh up to 34,000 pounds.
If the distance between a car's two axles is more than 40 inches, the vehicle is considered to have only one axle, even though it does have two axles. The distance between the axles of a vehicle with tandem axles is more than 40 inches but less than 96 inches.
Since it is not the federal government's job to deal with this, any state can give out overweight permits. The state in question may give the vehicle a license if the load can't be broken up into smaller loads for some reason, like if doing so would damage the cargo or take more than eight hours.
If you are interested in becoming a driver but have no idea what type of CDL to get, take your time and familiarize yourself first with the average weight restrictions for commercial vehicles. That way, you will know right away which category of CDL you would be eligible for.
Moreover, when you're already familiar with the various weight restrictions of commercial vehicles, it will be much simpler for you to add endorsements (such as hazardous materials endorsement) to your CDL license that best suits your needs.
Every aspiring commercial driver shouldn't miss taking any important detail into mind since it's a huge requirement to pass their CDL exams.
Conclusion
Professional truck driver has a very high level of job security compared to people who are not CDL holders because of the constant need for transportation services. When you get your commercial driver's license (CDL), there's no turning back in this business.
If you get a commercial driver's license (CDL), you may work in a field where you can go as far as you want. In other jobs, though, you can only go so far before you reach the top. Can you see a big difference?
Also, getting a commercial driver's license (CDL) is much cheaper than going to college for the same amount of time. You won't have to spend years paying off college loans, and it's one of the most affordable ways to start making money immediately.
You don't have to waste years of your life going to school for things that won't help you in real life. You won't have to wait for a long time to get your CDL and start working as a commercial driver. It shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks. You will have the chance to start making money from the very beginning, and the good thing is that you will also get help finding a job.
If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you can pretty much go anywhere. You can travel from one coast to another and see places that most people have only heard of.
This world is fun, and there are lots of chances to try new things and meet new people. Everything you encounter in life will provide you with a new perspective or set of skills. The work is not boring, and you will feel like you've accomplished something good when you get home. With the proper training, you may become a commercial driver and help make the transportation world a better place through your efforts.
How many people do you think getting their CDL would help them achieve their life goals? Since you are in charge of your life, you should live it the way that works best for you. Take on this responsibility. Why wait to start your training if it's the first step toward getting your CDL? Enroll now, start with your training, get your commercial driver's license as soon as possible, and hit the road finally!