Classes of license

Tractor semi truck with flatbed trailer image credit. A Class B commercial driver's license is required to operate a single vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of 26, or more pounds, or tow a vehicle not heavier than 10, pounds. A Class C commercial driver's license is required to operate a vehicle that is designed to transport 16 or more occupants including you, the driver or transport hazardous materials HazMat , materials that are classified as hazardous under federal law.

A Commercial Driver's License is required to drive commercial motor vehicles CMVs such as tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, dump trucks, and passenger buses. CDL classification is also determined by the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating GVWR and other specific requirements. It takes highly specialized knowledge and skills to operate a commercial motor vehicle. But prior to , many states allowed anyone with an automobile driver license to operate a CMV. As a result, many drivers throughout the country were driving CMVs without proper training.

This law made it mandatory for all drivers of commercial vehicles to have a CDL. In addition, a Class B license may allow you to operate some Class C vehicles if you possess the correct endorsements. For more information, visit our guide to CDL endorsements. Examples of vehicles you might be able to operate with a Class C CDL with proper endorsement include:. Classes for commercial driver licenses are: Class A. Class B. Class C. While your towing allowances will depend on which endorsements you obtain, a few of the vehicles you MAY be able to drive with a Class A CDL with proper endorsements include: Tractor-trailers.

Truck and trailer combinations. Double and triple trailers. This type of license applies for the same classes of vehicles that a Class D driver can drive. In addition, for-hire vehicles with the capacity of carrying a maximum of 14 passengers can be driven by those with this type of license.

This type of license authorizes a person younger than 18 to drive motorcycles, but with restrictions. The full details of the eligibility for this type of license can be found on your local DMV's website. These licenses are meant for people younger than 18 and are issued by the DMV with restrictions.

You can get full information about them in the learner permits and junior section of your state's licensing agency. Authorizes an individual to drive any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26, pounds or more if the GVWR of the vehicle s towed exceeds 10, pounds.

Authorizes an individual to drive any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not a Class A or B if the vehicle is:. Classes of Driver Licenses September 25, The class of a Texas driver license is determined by the: Type of vehicle operated on a Texas roadway Gross vehicle weight rating GVWR of the vehicle or the gross combination weight rating GCWR of the vehicles towed Number of passengers the vehicle can hold Unless prohibited by the Commercial Driver License Act, the holder of a valid driver license may drive all vehicles in the class for which that license is issued and all lesser classes except motorcycles.