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RISK MANAGEMENT
MARCH 2014
ACT
Classes of CDL
Federal regulations divide commercial
vehicles into groups or “classes” based
on size and type of load. Any commercial
driver’s license allows a driver to operate
vehicles only within his or her
designated vehicle class or any of the
lower levels of classification.
There are three basic classifications
of CDL: “A,” “B” and “C.” A Class “A”
CDL requires the most skill and
knowledge testing and permits the
holder to drive all vehicles allowed with
the two lower classifications. Similarly,
a Class “B” CDL would entitle the
holder to operate both Class “B”
allowable vehicles and Class “C”
allowable vehicles.
Pursuant to Federal standards,
States issue CDLs to drivers according to
the following license classifications:
CLASS A:
Any combination of vehicles
which has a gross combination weight
rating or gross combination weight of
11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds
or more) whichever is greater, inclusive
of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle
weight rating or gross vehicle weight
of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000
pounds) whichever is greater.
CLASS B:
Any single vehicle which
has a gross vehicle weight rating or
gross vehicle weight of 11,794 or more
kilograms (26,001 pounds or more), or
any such vehicle towing a vehicle with
a gross vehicle weight rating or gross
vehicle weight that does not exceed
4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).
CLASS C:
Any single vehicle, or
combination of vehicles, that does not
meet the definition of Class A or Class
B, but is either designed to transport 16
or more passengers, including the driver,
or is transporting material that has been
designated as hazardous under 49 U.S.C.
5103 and is required to be placarded
under subpart F of 49 CFR Part 172 or is
transporting any quantity of a material
listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR
Part 73.
Specialized endorsements
In addition to the three classes of CDL,
operators must also obtain special
“endorsements” allowing for the operation
of specialized vehicles or transportation
of dangerous materials. If granted, the
following endorsements will appear on
the CDL itself:
T
This designation allows the driver to haul
double or triple trailers.
P
This allows the driver to operate
passenger vehicles commercially.
N
This allows the driver to operate tank
vehicles.
H
This endorsement is required for all
drivers hauling hazardous material
commercial loads.
X
This indicates a driver with combined
“H” and “N” designations that permit
the operation of tank vehicles containing
hazardous materials.
S
This is a designation for drivers of school
buses.
Situations requiring a CDL
It is important to remember that it is a
violation of law in every state (as well
as within CSA) for a CMV driver to
operate a vehicle without a valid CDL or
outside his/her designated class of CDL or
without the appropriate endorsements.
Given the day to day challenges of
running your business, navigating
through an always changing regulatory
environment, and knowing and
understanding the federal and state
regulations, sometimes makes it difficult
for motor carriers and/or drivers to
determine who does or does not require
a CDL and equally important what class
of CDL is required.
Simply put. The determination of
whether or not a CDL (and what class)
is required is not an easy task. And
having a tool to help assist in making this
determination is essential and can make
the difference between compliance versus
non-compliance with the regulations.
NBIS is a leader in regulatory compliance
for the Transportation industry. Next
month’s article will focus on providing
useful tools to help transportation
companies operate safer and therefore
more profitably.
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For a copy of the CDL Decision Tree tool
and/or additional information about the
NBIS Risk Management Support System
please call: 770-257-1111 or email:
Is the vehicle a
combination vehicle?
Is the trailer(s) GVWR
greater than 10,000 lbs?
CLASS A CDL REQUIRED
CLASS B CDL REQUIRED
CDL NOT REQUIRED
CLASS A or B or C
CDL REQUIRED
Is the combination GVWR
greater than or equal to
26,001 lbs.?
Is the vehicle transporting a quantity
of hazardous materials that requires
placards as defined in 49 CFR?
Is the vehicle designed to transport
16 or more passengers including
the driver?
Is the GVWR of the
power unit 26,001 lbs.
or greater?
FIND OUT IF YOU NEED A CDL
Use the diagram below to see if a CDL is needed, and what class of CDL you need.
A higher-class CDL allows you to drive vehicles in any of the lower classes if you
have the correct endorsemnents
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
