What is a CDL (Commercial Drivers License)?

A commercial driver’s license or CDL is a license that allows drivers to operate heavy vehicles on the roadway. CDL’s are broken down into different classifications or “classes” of vehicles based on their weight and are defined by letters. In addition, drivers can earn endorsements for different types of vehicles within those weight classifications. These endorsements are also defined by letters.

CDL Classifications

Class A CDL

This license allows you to operate a combination vehicle, most commonly associated with a tractor pulling a trailer, with a GCWR of 26,001 or more pounds, with the GVWR of the trailer weighing in excess of 10,000 pounds. (GCWR = Gross Combined Weight Rating, or the total weight of both the tractor and trailer. GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or the total weight of any given vehicle.)

Note – If a driver has a CDL A, they can drive a Class B or D (common car or SUV) vehicle.

Class B CDL

This license allows you to operate any single vehicle, most commonly associated with a straight truck, with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds. It also allows you to operate a single vehicle towing a trailer that is less than 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Note – A driver with a Class B license can also drive a Class D vehicle, but NOT a Class A vehicle.

Passenger

This license allows you to operate any single vehicle, most commonly associated with a bus, such as charter buses, or buses such as NJ Transit or PennDot buses with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds. Bus drivers transport people between various places — including work, school, and shopping centers — and across state or national borders. Some drive regular routes, and others transport passengers on chartered trips or sightseeing tours.

Endorsements

Endorsements are categorizations that allow a driver to operate special vehicles within the above classifications. As an example, a Class A license with an N endorsement allows a driver to operate a tractor pulling a tanker trailer. And a Class B license with a P endorsement allows a driver to operate a bus that carries more than 16 passengers including the driver. This is often associated with motor coaches and city buses.
To obtain an endorsement, you must pass an additional written commercial driver’s license test, and for some, an additional road skills exam.
T – Double/Triple Trailers

Written test only.

P – Passenger

Written test and road skills examination.

N – Tank vehicle

Written test only.

H – Hazardous Materials

Written test only.

X – Combination

Combination of tank vehicle and hazardous materials endorsements.

S – School Bus

Written test and road-skills examination.