Class A CDL License

If you’re considering a career as a professional truck driver, you’ll first need to obtain a Class A CDL license. Holding this type of license gives you the legal ability to apply for and hold down an array of truck driving jobs, whether you want to deliver cargo across the country or locally. With a Class A CDL, the open road is yours to explore, and the pavement is lined with great benefits, high earning potential, and the chance to travel to all sorts of new locations.

Here we’ll define what a Class A CDL license is, explore the advantages of getting this type of truck driving license, go over the other types of CDLs you might consider getting, and explain how you can obtain your Class A CDL. Click below in the table of contents if you want to jump to that section of our guide for more information.

At TDI, we make sure you’re prepared for the open road from start to finish. Unlike many other CDL schools, we provide third-party CDL testing to you right away after you complete your training (at every campus where state law allows it). It can take weeks or even months to obtain testing off-site, but at TDI, we’re committed to helping you get your CDL license and get on the road as quickly as possible.

When you’re ready to get started, call (800) 848-7364 or contact us online and TDI will help you get trained, earn your license, and even find a job!

Table of Contents:

A driver stands with arms folded in front of a yellow commercial truck

What Is a Class A CDL License?

A Class A CDL license is a national license that gives you legal permission to operate many types of large trucks. More specifically, a Class A CDL means that you can both:

  1. Drive a vehicle of any gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and
  2. Tow a vehicle of any weight.

While other CDL licenses may be restricted by GVWR or towing weight, a Class A CDL gives you free range. If you aspire to become a professional trucker, getting a Class A CDL license opens up the most possible doors for your future career options.

Advantages of Getting a Class A CDL License

Obtaining a Class A CDL can offer you an array of benefits, including:

Job Stability

There is currently a shortage of truck drivers nationwide. To meet current supply chain demands, the U.S. needs to hire about 80,000 more truck drivers, which is excellent news for truck-driving hopefuls like you. Since the U.S. is in great need of more professional truckers, you’ll have fantastic job security if you pursue this career path. And at TDI, we provide lifelong career assistance with a job placement rate of over 80%, helping you make the most of the demand for drivers.

Few Accessibility Barriers

Since truck driving doesn’t require a college degree, there aren’t as many potential accessibility barriers compared to other jobs with similar earning potential. Rather than taking four years to acquire a more expensive degree, you could complete your truck driving education in just three weeks for much less money.

Great Salary and Benefits

Entry-level truck drivers typically get a high starting salary, especially compared to other entry-level roles that don’t require college degrees. Plus, a professional trucker’s earning potential continues to grow over the years. On average in the U.S., truck drivers earn $70,000–$80,000 a year. Truck drivers also usually receive excellent benefits like health insurance, 401ks, life insurance, and dental insurance.

Travel

Most jobs are pretty stationary, but that’s a far cry from life as a trucker. Whether you want to travel within your state or all across the country, every day will be a new adventure when you’re a professional truck driver. You’ll get paid to see new places, which is not a benefit most jobs can boast. If you have friends and family across the U.S., professional trucking also gives you a way to visit them without breaking the bank.

Career Options

Professional truck drivers have a lot of options when it comes to customizing their ideal career. You can choose to apply for jobs doing mostly local trips, for example, or you can decide that you’d rather travel across the nation and explore. There are also lots of both part-time and full-time trucking jobs out there.

One thing to keep in mind is that some CDL schools are contracted with a specific carrier, so if they help you find a job, you won’t be able to pick your employer. TDI believes in giving you the freedom to choose your own employer. We have relationships with over 20 major carriers that we can introduce you to—no obligations, no contracts.

Career Options for Class A CDL License Holders

Earning a Class A CDL license opens up a world of career possibilities. Here are just some of the jobs you become eligible for after obtaining a Class A CDL:

  • Long-haulers: A long-haul trucker is what most people think of when they imagine professional truck driving: going cross-country to pick up or deliver various goods while seeing the nation. This is a great job option for people who enjoy having diverse work environments and tasks every day.
  • Refrigerated drivers: A refrigerated driver specializes in transporting goods that need to be kept at certain temperatures, such as ice or milk.
  • Delivery drivers: Delivery drivers might deliver groceries, restaurant takeout, cargo, or any number of items. A delivery driving job might involve just local driving or going longer distances.
  • Construction drivers: A construction driver operates heavy machinery in the construction industry to pave roads, create buildings, and more. You can also get delivery jobs moving construction equipment from one locale to another.

What Other Types of CDL Licenses Are There?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers three types of CDLs to truckers across the nation. Each one gives drivers legal permission to operate different kinds of large vehicles. Let’s learn more about the other types of CDLs in addition to CDL Class A below.

Class A CDLClass B CDLClass C CDL
Vehicle TypesTractor-trailers, large tankers, flatbeds, and double/triple trailers, as well as all Class B and Class C CDL vehicle typesStraight trucks, dump trucks, cement mixers, and buses (including school buses with proper endorsements), as well as all Class C CDL vehicle typesPassenger vans and shuttle buses
Vehicle WeightGVWR of 26,001 pounds or moreGVWR of 26,001 pounds or moreGVWR of 26,001 pounds or less
Towing CapacityOver 10,000 poundsUp to 10,000 poundsUnder 10,001 pounds

Class A CDL

As we said earlier, a Class A CDL license certifies you to drive vehicles of any weight or towing capacity, meaning you can drive all the same vehicles that Class B CDL and Class C CDL holders do—and then some! The Class A CDL allows you to drive vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. As you’ll see below, this is the same weight class that a Class B CDL allows and more weight than a Class C CDL allows. The Class A CDL license gives you permission to tow a vehicle that is over 10,000 pounds, which is more than either the Class B CDL or Class C CDL allows. This makes a Class A CDL license well-suited for large-articulated trucks.

Class B CDL

Like a Class A CDL, a Class B CDL license allows drivers to operate vehicles that have a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or greater. However, unlike a Class A CDL, a Class B CDL only gives drivers permission to tow a vehicle that is up to 10,000 pounds. In other words, with a Class B CDL you’re limited to 10,000 pounds towing capacity, while a Class A CDL gives you unlimited towing capacity. This makes the Class B CDL license best suited for large, single-unit vehicles.

Class C CDL

A Class C CDL is the most restrictive license. Class A and Class B CDL drivers can do everything a Class C CDL driver can and more. Meanwhile, a Class C CDL only gives drivers the ability to:

  1. Drive a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or less, and
  2. Tow a vehicle that weighs under 10,001 pounds.

In other words, the weight limit of the vehicles you can drive or tow is lower with a Class C CDL compared to both Class A and Class B CDLs. So what exactly can you do with a Class C CDL? This license is often used to allow drivers to transport more than 16 passengers at a time, such as in passenger vans or shuttle buses.

What Do You Need to Get a Class A CDL License?

Before you buckle up on your new career as a professional trucker, let’s learn more about what you’ll need to obtain your Class A CDL.

1. Non-Commercial Driver’s License

You’ll need to have a non-commercial driver’s license before you get a CDL. Both the FMCSA and your state’s DMV want to make sure you understand the basic rules of the road and ways of operating a vehicle.

2. Good Driving Record

When you request your CDL permit, the FMCSA and DMV will also check if you have a good driving record. Both organizations want to ensure that you know how to keep others and yourself safe while driving before giving you permission to operate heavier vehicles.

3. Age

In most states, you’ll need to be at least 21 years old to get a Class A CDL. However, some states let drivers get their CDL at 18. If you’re under 21, check in with your state’s DMV to make sure that you’re eligible to get a CDL permit before applying.

4. Proof of Residency

Class A CDL holders need to be either U.S. citizens or have permanent residency in the U.S. When you apply for your CDL permit, you’ll need to show your proof of citizenship or residency. If you don’t have proof of residency, it’s best to speak with an immigration lawyer before applying for your CDL on what your best options are.

5. Health

A truck driver needs to be in good enough health to protect both themselves and others while operating heavy machinery on shared public roads. While it is possible to drive a truck if you have a disability or a chronic illness, it can make things more complex.

All truck driving hopefuls undergo a DOT physical before getting their CDL permit. This exam is run by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and evaluates aspects of your health such as your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and more. At TDI, we help arrange for your DOT physical and include its cost in your tuition so the experience is as hassle-free as possible.

If you do have chronic conditions, bring medical records from your current doctors to your DOT exam. For instance, if you have a history of heart disease, bring documentation from your doctor stating that it does not affect your ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. If you use assistive devices to help you hear or see, like glasses or hearing aids, bring these along to your DOT test too. This way, the medical examiner can have all the information as they evaluate if your health might pose a physical threat to you or someone else while you’re operating a truck.

6. Education

Although most states don’t have any educational requirements for getting your Class A CDL license. It’s important to get in touch with your state’s DMV and ask to review their CDL permit manual so you’ll know exactly which, if any, education requirements you’ll need to meet.

Do You Need to Pass a Background Check?

While you don’t need to pass a background check to get your CDL, you may need it to get certain jobs, depending on which state you live in. Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you from becoming a professional truck driver, but it can make the process more complicated depending on your history.

Tests Required to Get a Class A CDL License

After you’ve passed the initial screening requirements, gotten a CDL permit, and completed training, it’s time to apply for your Class A CDL license. To obtain your Class A CDL, you’ll need to pass two tests. Just like when you got your non-commercial driver’s license, one test is a written exam and the other tests your practical driving skills. Below is more information about both exams you’ll need to pass to earn your Class A CDL license, as well as where you can test.

Written Test

The Class A CDL written exam assesses your knowledge of the rules of the road and the principles of operating heavy vehicles. It covers topics like traffic laws, truck maintenance, cargo management, pre-trip inspections, and safety evaluations. The written exam is typically between 20 to 50 multiple choice questions.

Driving Test

The driving test is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on abilities as a budding truck driver. A representative from your state’s DMV will sit in the passenger seat as they assess your ability to operate a truck on public roads. There are three sets of skills you’re tested on: pre-trip, basic controls (such as backing), and road tests.

Where to Test

When you’re ready to take your CDL exam, the most common places to test are at your local Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) or an approved third-party testing site. Keep in mind that while most OMVs have CDL testing, not all do. Unfortunately, many people end up waiting weeks or even months for an appointment to take their CDL exam, wasting valuable time they could be on the road earning money. At TDI, we provide on-site testing for our students at every campus where it is allowed by state law, which means you can take your CDL exam as soon as you finish your training.

Is It Hard to Get a Class A CDL License?

Although getting a Class A CDL does involve proper preparation, it isn’t overly difficult to accomplish. As long as you understand the basic pre-requisites to getting your CDL and receive your education from a qualified truck driving school, you’ll be hitting the open road in no time at all.

Types of CDL Endorsements

Looking for ways to maximize your job options or advance your career as a professional truck driver? Getting one or more CDL endorsements is a great way to do so. Not only will these endorsements give you the legal ability to drive more types of vehicles or transport various cargo, but they’ll also expand your skill set and increase your employability. We’ll take a closer look at just some of the CDL endorsements you might want to earn alongside your Class A CDL.

Tanker Endorsement

Tankers are a specific type of truck that carry liquids or gases in bulk containers. A tanker can transport an array of materials, including fuel, water, and non-hazardous chemicals. To earn this endorsement, you’ll need to pass a written test at the DMV that tests your knowledge related to safe cargo transportation, loading and unloading strategies, and more.

Passenger Endorsement

A passenger endorsement means you can legally transport other people inside your truck, large van, or bus. This is a great endorsement if you want to drive passengers in a vehicle like a transportation shuttle or interstate bus. Truckers looking to earn this endorsement will need to complete additional ELDT training, as well as pass a practical skills test that includes pre-trip, backing, and a road test.

Hazmat Endorsement

Hazmat is shorthand for hazardous materials. With a hazmat endorsement, a Class A CDL holder can legally transport materials like flammable substances or chemicals. In addition to passing ELDT training and a written exam at the DMV, drivers hoping to obtain this endorsement will also need to undergo a background check and have their fingerprints taken.

School Bus Endorsement

As the name implies, a school bus endorsement lets you become a school bus driver. If you want to pursue this professional option, you’ll need to undergo ELDT training, pass the written test at the DMV, and pass a practical test that covers pre-trip, backing, and other skills.

Doubles or Triples Endorsement

A doubles or triples endorsement means that you can drive trucks with two or three trailers attached. These types of trucks are also sometimes referred to as combination vehicles. Drivers hoping to earn a doubles or triples endorsement will need to pass a written test at the DMV.

Which CDL Jobs Pay the Most?

Your salary as a professional truck driver can vary based on a lot of factors, including where you live, how long you’ve been in the industry, if you’re a long haul driver or generally travel shorter distances, and what type of trucker you become. In general, though, more specialized jobs requiring a Class A CDL pay higher. These specialized jobs can include hazmat, tanker, and ice truck drivers.

Which CDL License Is the Best?

Most aspiring truckers opt for the Class A CDL license because it opens up the widest range of career options. The vast majority of available trucking jobs in the U.S. require Class A CDLs, since this CDL allows you to drive vehicles with the heaviest GVWR and tow weight. Getting your Class A CDL means you can do everything someone with a Class B or Class C CDL can do, plus even more than that. That said, the best CDL will depend on your professional and personal goals.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Class A CDL?

To get a Class A CDL, you’ll typically pay a fee to your state DMV when you apply for your permit and take your exams, which usually costs between $50–$250 in total. You’ll also typically have insurance fees in the $100–$200 range.

The biggest cost of getting a Class A CDL is usually your professional training, but there are lots of ways to save on your tuition even while getting an incredible education from experienced truckers. For instance, at TDI, we offer an array of tuition reimbursement, scholarship, and grant options. If you’re a veteran, you might also have tuition covered through your GI Bill®.

Get Your Class A CDL in 3 Weeks with TDI

Ready to get your Class A CDL license and open up dozens of roads for your career? For over 50 years, TDI has been helping aspiring truckers just like you fuel their dreams with the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to cruise into the world of professional truck driving. Give us a call at (800) 848-7364 or fill out our contact form today so we can help you get started.

*For Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch 33) students and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch 31) students, our tuition policy complies with 38 USC 3679(e) which means Post 9/11 and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment students will not be charged or otherwise penalized due to a delay in VA tuition and fee payments.  For eligibility consideration, a Post 9/11 GI Bill® student must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Student must provide a VAF 28-1905 form. Students must provide school with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) prior to beginning class, but not later than the first day of training. A print screen of Statement of Benefits page will be accepted in lieu of COE and verification of benefits will be required.  Please see 38 USC 3679(e) for complete details. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.