COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE TYPES

For the Commercial Driver's License (CDL), licenses are divided into various categories to suit different driving needs. Before applying, it's crucial to identify the specific type of license you require. We've provided a detailed breakdown of license classes, endorsements, and restrictions to assist you in selecting the correct license for your professional driving requirements.

The class of license you need is generally determined by the size of the vehicle (or the trailer) you intend to drive. We have outlined the various license classes below to guide you in choosing the appropriate one based on your vehicle's specifications:

Classes of Commercial Driver's Licenses
EXAMPLES NAME DESCRIPTION PERMIT CLASS LICENSE CLASS

GVWR is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

GCWR is the Gross Combination Weight Rating
trucks and trailers Combination Vehicles May operate a combination vehicle when the GCWR is 26,001 pounds or more and the GVWR of the towed unit is 10,001 pounds or more IA A
motor coaches, box trucks, dump trucks Heavy Straight Vehicles May operate any vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. A trailer may be towed if the GVWR of the trailer is 10,000 or less IB B
buses Small Vehicles May operate any single motor vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 pounds or less,  or a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials IC C

An endorsement on a commercial driver's license permits the holder to operate specialized types of motor vehicles. Obtaining each endorsement involves passing a knowledge test, and for some endorsements, a road skills test may also be necessary.

Endorsements for Commercial Driver's Licenses
NAME REQUIREMENTS DESCRIPTION PERMIT ENDORSEMENT / RESTRICTION LICENSE ENDORSEMENT
Hazardous Materials Vehicles transporting hazardous materials none H
Tank vehicles knowledge test Required for drivers of vehicles designed to transport liquids or gaseous materials within a tank N/x N
Passenger
  • knowledge test road skills test
 Required for drivers of vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver P/P P
School Bus
  • knowledge test
  • Completion of ELDT for first issuance
  • road skills test
  • 3 years driving experience
  • 21 years old and older
 Required for drivers of vehicles transporting preprimary, primary or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events S S
Double/Triple knowledge test Required for drivers of vehicles pulling two or three trailers. (A dolly or load divider, sometimes referred to as a "jeep," is considered to be one trailer.) none T
Combination Tank & Hazardous Material
  • knowledge tests
  • Completion of ELDT for first Hazmat issuance
  • TSA background check (or valid TWIC card)
  • 21 years old and older
 Required for drivers of vehicles transporting tank and/or vehicles used to transport hazardous materials

Tank: N/X

Hazmat: None

 X

A restriction on a commercial driver's license restricts the driver from operating specific types of vehicles.

Permit Restrictions: Certain restrictions apply to learner's permits to ensure safe driving practices during the learning phase. For instance, the passenger restriction (P) prohibits permit holders from driving with passengers.

License Restrictions: To obtain certain endorsements, a road skills test with specific vehicles is necessary. If the vehicle used for your road test lacks the required capabilities, you must retest with an appropriate vehicle to remove the restriction.

Restrictions for Commercial Driver's Licenses
NAME TEST(S) TO REMOVE DESCRIPTION PERMIT RESTRICTION LICENSE RESTRICTION
Air Brakes knowledge & road skills You may not drive vehicles with air brakes L L
Automatic Transmission road skills You may only drive commercial vehicles with automatic transmissions   E
Empty Tank knowledge You may only drive with an empty tank (for N endorsement) X  
Intrastate Commerce special, see self-certification You may only drive for intrastate commerce   K
Medical Waiver special, see medical card You have a Federal medical waiver or Skills Performance Evaluation (SPE)   V
Off-Highway road skills You may only drive in rural communities where road tests are not administered.   7
ELDT Exemption road skills You may only drive in either Bethel, Prince of Wales Island, Haines, Ketchikan, King Salmon, Kodiak Island, Kotzebue, Nome, Mitkof Island (Petersburg), Sitka, Skagway, Unalaska Island, Utqiavik, Wrangell Island where you took the abbreviated road test.   8
Passenger road skills You may not drive a Class A bus   M
Passenger road skills You may not drive a Class A or B bus   N
Passenger or School Bus road skills You may not drive with passengers in your bus P  
Tractor/Trailer knowledge & road skills You may not drive a tractor-trailer combination.   O
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