What Type of CDL License Do I Need?

What Type of CDL License Do I Need?

Short answer: You need a Class A CDL with as many endorsements as you can get.

Class A vs. Class B

There is virtually no reason to get a Class B CDL. The only slight advantage is that it takes a little less time to get, and training will be a little cheaper. This is what each license involves:

Class A CDL:

  • 5 weeks of driving school
  • $2,500 driving school cost
  • $38,000 per year (starting pay)
  • $80,000 per year (after several years experience)

Class B CDL:

  • 4 weeks of driving school
  • $2,000 driving school cost
  • $28,000 per year (starting pay)
  • $50,000 per year (after several years experience)

Note: These numbers are approximate

With a Class A CDL, you can drive:

  • Class A trucks
  • Class B trucks
  • Class C trucks
  • Class D private cars

With a Class B CDL, you can drive:

  • Class B trucks
  • Class C trucks
  • Class D private cars

There are more Class A jobs than Class B jobs (except for buses, which is a special case).

The advantages of having a Class A CDL should be obvious.

Company Training

If the company that employs you is paying for your training, you might be stuck with whatever training they are willing to provide. This might seem like a disadvantage, but they are giving you free training (in the case of busses: Class B). Depending on your employment situation, you might ask if you could pay the difference in cost. In the example above, you would be effectively getting a Class A CDL for $500.

Bus

Full-sized busses almost always require a Class B CDL with a passenger endorsement. A bus company would probably not be interested in helping you get a Class A CDL—but you can ask.

Seeing the Future

You might be thinking that you will only drive a Class B truck or bus, and that you will never need a Class A CDL. This assumes that you can predict the future. This assumes that you will never decide—in 4 or 5 years—to drive a full-sized truck. Having your Class A CDL in hand means more options for the future.

Note: If you get your Class B CDL, then decide to switch to a Class A CDL. This would mean taking your driving school all over again—taking another 5 weeks and spending another $2,500.

All Endorsements

Get as many endorsements are you can. Some endorsements are obvious: combination vehicle, airbrake, etc. Other endorsements you might never use: tanker, doubles and triples, etc. But having all the endorsements on your license increases the number of jobs you are qualified for. You never know what opportunity will present itself.

HazMat

The HazMat endorsement is (by far) the most difficult endorsement to get, but consider these points:

  • HazMat jobs pay more than non-HazMat jobs.

  • Even jobs that involve rarely driving HazMat pay more. Some companies will pay an extra penny per mile for drivers that have a HazMat endorsement, whether the load is HazMat or not.

  • Some companies will only hire drivers with a HazMat endorsement.

Other than the actual Driving Test, the written HazMat test is the most complicated part of getting your CDL.

Summary

The message remains the same: the best advice is to get your Class A CDL with as many endorsements as possible.

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