What the Heck is a CDL? Everything you need to know about a commercial driver's license.
Hey there, I’m Alex. With 8 years in the trucking industry and over a decade of investing experience, my goal is to help fellow drivers succeed on the road. Whether its your first year driving or you want to become an owner operator. I’m here to help you out.
Hey there! If you’re here, you’ve got questions about CDLs, and I’m here to help. Sure, you could just skim for the quick answers, but trust me, if you stick around, you’ll walk away with more insight than you expected. Who knows? You might even learn something about CDLs that surprises you.
So, who am I? My name’s Alex, and I’ve been in the trucking industry for over eight years. I’ve worked at a truck dealership and driven regional routes, gaining valuable experience on both sides of the industry. One of my proudest moments was helping three salesmen at the dealership earn their CDLs. A win for them and a proud accomplishment for me.
Now, let’s jump in and get you the information you’re looking for!
Table of Contents
What Is a CDL?
A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is a specialized license required to operate commercial vehicles. It’s the foundational step for anyone starting a career in trucking. CDLs come with different classes, restrictions, and endorsements, which can feel overwhelming for those new to the industry. Let’s break down the nuances to make it easier to understand.
How old do you have to be to get a CDL?
To get a CDL, you must be at least 18 years old. But there’s a catch: you can only drive within your home state. This is called an intrastate restriction. That restriction stays in place until you turn 21. At that point, you can apply for an interstate exemption, which allows you to drive out of state. More on that later.
What are the different classes of CDL?
CDLs are divided into three distinct classes, each tailored to specific types of commercial vehicles. The class you’ll need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive and the job you’re pursuing. Here’s a closer look at the CDL classes to help you determine which one fits your driving career.
Class A CDL
This is the highest level of CDL, offering the most options. A Class A CDL allows you to operate combination vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of over 26,000 pounds. Like a truck and trailer. It also qualifies you to drive vehicles covered under Class B and Class C licenses.
Class B CDL
Consider this the “younger brother” of the Class A license. A Class B CDL allows you to operate single (straight) vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 26,000 pounds, as well as tow trailers weighing less than 10,000 pounds. Examples of Class B vehicles include school buses, dump trucks, and garbage trucks.
Class C CDL
A Class C CDL is primarily designed for drivers who operate smaller commercial vehicles that don’t fall under the typical trucking category. This includes vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds and towing trailers weighing less than 10,000 pounds. Class C licenses are often required for transporting hazardous materials in smaller vehicles, like cargo vans, or for driving passenger vehicles, such as small buses designed to carry fewer passengers.
Common CDL Restrictions and How To Remove Them
When deciding which CDL is right for you, it’s important to consider potential restrictions on your license. These restrictions limit what you can do with your CDL unless you qualify to have them removed. Here’s a list of common restrictions and how they impact drivers:
Intrastate (K)
Interstate
The interstate option is the opposite of the intrastate restriction; this option allows you to drive commercial vehicles across state lines. This is only available for individuals who are 21 and older. Since this is also an elective choice, most drivers opt for the interstate designation, especially those pursuing over-the-road (OTR) or regional driving jobs.
No Air Brakes (L)
The no air brake restriction prevents you from operating vehicles equipped with air brakes. It’s applied if you don’t pass the air brake knowledge test or bring a truck with hydraulic brakes during your CDL testing. Removing this restriction is essential because the majority of commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks, are equipped with air brakes.
Automatic Transmission Restriction (E)
The automatic transmission restriction limits you to operating commercial vehicles with only automatic transmissions. It may reduce your job opportunities, especially with companies that primarily use manual transmission trucks. To remove this restriction, you’ll need to pass your CDL skills test in a truck with a manual transmission.
CDL Endorsements: How to get and keep them
CDL endorsements allow drivers to pull specialized trailers and open the door to higher-paying opportunities. Adding endorsements to your CDL boosts your value to trucking companies, especially when you have multiple. Here are four of the most common endorsements:
Hazmat Endorsement
The hazmat endorsement allows drivers to transport hazardous materials. This is one of the higher-tier endorsements, as hazmat loads typically pay more due to the increased qualifications and danger required to haul the loads.
To obtain this endorsement:
- Complete an Entry Level Hazmat Training Course
- Undergo a Background Check
- Pass The Written Test
Once you pass your hazmat test at the DMV, you can add it to your CDL. It is valid for two years and can be renewed for another two years by retaking the written test.
Tanker Endorsement
The tanker endorsement allows drivers to operate vehicles or trailers with large tanks that transport liquids. They test for this because liquids move around corners differently than normal cargo in a dry van. Unlike the hazmat endorsement, the tanker endorsement does not require you to take an entry-level driving (ELDT) training course. So all you have to do is study your state’s CDL manual before you take the test.
To obtain the tank vehicle endorsement:
- Pass the Written Test At The DMV
Once you have the tanker endorsement, it stays with your CDL as long as it stays valid.
Double/Triple Endorsement (T)
The Double/ triple endorsement allows drivers to haul multiple trailers at once. The most common configuration is two to three 28-foot trailers and, in some states, two 58-foot trailers. Doubles/ triples endorsement is like the tanker endorsement. All you have to do is study the CDL manual in your state and pass the written test.
To obtain your doubles/triples endorsement:
- Pass a Written Test At The DMV
Once you pass the doubles/ triples test, this endorsement stays on your CDL as long as it’s valid.
Tanker and Hazmat Endorsement (X)
The X endorsement combines the qualifications for both the tanker and hazmat, allowing drivers to haul hazardous liquids like gasoline or propane.
To obtain the tanker and hazmat endorsement:
- Complete a Hazmat ELDT
- Undergo a Background Check
- Pass The Hazmat Test
- Pass The Tanker Test
The X endorsement is valid for two years, just like the Hazmat endorsement. To renew it, you must retake and pass the Hazmat written test. If you drop the hazmat endorsement, you will still keep the tanker endorsement on your CDL.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CDLs are highly regulated licenses that are required to drive semi-trucks. I would recommend that if someone wants to get a CDL, they should get the class A CDL with interstate picked. This allows you to drive pretty much anything anywhere you want to drive. Start your next adventure by learning how to get your cdl.
Hey there, I’m Alex. With 8 years in the trucking industry and over a decade of investing experience, my goal is to help fellow drivers succeed on the road. Whether its your first year driving or you want to become an owner operator. I’m here to help you out.