What’s The Difference Between Class A and Class B CDL?

Are you interested in a career in the transportation industry? Or does your employer require you to have a Commercial Driver’s License or CDL? If you’ve been researching different CDL classes, you likely have questions related to the licensing process and the requirements to start a truck driving career. Understanding the difference between Class A and Class B CDL can help you better understand which license you need to become a commercial truck driver. Ultimately, determining which CDL class is best for you depends on your individual career goals and interests. This article takes a closer look at the difference between CDL-A and CDL-B classifications to help you understand which is right for you.

CDL Class A and CDL Class B Defined

To break it down, if your commercial vehicle weighs over 26,001 pounds (excluding trailers), you need a Commercial Drivers License or CDL, to drive that vehicle. Driving a commercial vehicle requires greater knowledge, experience, and physical ability than simply driving a car.

Class A CDL or CDL-A

CDL-A allows the driver to operate any vehicle with a semi-trailer or a trailer with two or more axles. A common Class A vehicle is a tractor trailer, also known as a semi.
This includes combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B CDL or CDL-B

CDL-B allows the driver to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR greater than 26,001 pounds. Common vehicles include school buses, dump trucks and straight trucks.
Can tow a vehicle as long as it does NOT exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Differences Between Class A and Class B CDL

Vehicle Weight

Class A: If you are pulling a commercial trailer that weighs over 10,000 pounds (most commercial trailers do), you will need a Class A CDL. Combination vehicles, such as tractor trailers or semi-trailers, always meet the requirements for CDL-A.
Class B: A CDL-B is typically only for lighter vehicles, such as a straight truck or bus. With a class B license, you will not be permitted to drive a trailer that exceeds 10,000 pounds. So, a CDL-B could be considered more “limiting” in regards to the type of commercial driving career opportunities you can pursue.

CDL Vehicle Type

Types of Class A Vehicles include:

Tractor trailers
Truck & trailer combinations
Double and triple trailers
Tractor trailer buses
Tanker vehicles
Livestock carriers
Flatbeds

Types of Class B Vehicles include:

Limousine
Transit bus
Cement truck
School bus
Dump truck
Boom truck
Garbage truck

CDL Job Opportunities

We’ll now explore the difference between CDL A and CDL B careers, including the benefits and considerations for each.

Common Jobs for CDL-A Operators

Truck Driver
Line Haul Driver
Log Truck Driver
Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver)
Production Truck Driver
Semi Truck Driver
Tractor Trailer Operator
Tow Truck Drivers

If you’re interested in pursuing virtually any commercial driving career, this may be the best option for you. Also, iIf you hold a CDL-A, you are also authorized to operate any vehicle that requires a CDL-B license. This allows you to operate a wider variety of commercial vehicles and have broader career opportunities, which can potentially increase your earning potential.

Common Jobs for CDL-B Operators

Local Delivery Driver
Construction Driver/Operator
School or Transit Bus Driver
Limousine Driver

If your job only requires operating in one of the above vehicles, you may not need to earn your CDL-A. These types of CDL B driving jobs may be ideal for those who want to work in a more limited geographical area (stay close to home), or if trucking is not a long-term career path.

CDL Endorsements

(N) Tanker Endorsement: Class A & B
(H) Hazardous Materials: Class A & B
(T) Doubles/Triples Endorsement: Class A
(P) Passenger: Class A & B
(S) School Bus: Class A & B, only available if P endorsement complete

Interested in Learning More About Truck Driving?

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Why should I earn a CDL-A License at MTI?

CDL-A vehicles and trailers require greater training and skill to maneuver.The first step toward earning your CDL-A is enrolling in a FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) approved ELDT (Entry Level Driver Training) training program. MTI’s CDL Schools in Illinois and Missouri offer a CDL Training Course. At MTI, students learn truck driving procedures and techniques through classroom learning and behind-the-wheel driving practice from instructors with real-world trucking experience. Here’s what you can expect when you attend MTI to train for your CDL license:

Classroom theory focusing on CDL A requirements, driving safety, combination vehicles, air brakes, trip planning, and more.
Behind-the-wheel experience operating commercial vehicles on the driving range to learn driving skills such as backing, parking, docking, managing speed and space relations, how to handle driving conditions, driving hazards, and more.