What is a Class B CDL Truck?

A Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) allows drivers to operate single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or a vehicle towing another unit that does not exceed 10,000 pounds.

Types of Vehicles You Can Drive with a Class B CDL

With a Class B CDL, you can operate:
✅ Straight trucks (box trucks, dump trucks, etc.)✅ Large buses (school buses, city buses, tour buses, etc.)
✅ Delivery trucks (such as those used by FedEx, UPS, and other freight carriers)
✅ Cement mixers
✅ Tow trucks (for heavy-duty towing)
✅ Smaller tractor-trailers (with trailers under 10,000 lbs)

Requirements to Obtain a Class B CDL

  1. Minimum age: 18 for intrastate driving, 21 for interstate driving.
  2. Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP): Must pass a written knowledge test.
  3. Skills test: Includes vehicle inspection, basic maneuvers, and an on-road driving test.
  4. DOT medical exam: A physical exam to ensure fitness to drive.
  5. Optional endorsements:
    • P (Passenger) Endorsement – Required for driving buses.
    • S (School Bus) Endorsement – Needed for driving school buses.
    • H (HazMat) Endorsement – Required for transporting hazardous materials.

Benefits of a Class B CDL

✅ More local and regional job opportunities – Many Class B CDL jobs involve shorter routes, allowing for more home time.
✅ Competitive pay – Good salaries, especially for bus drivers and specialized truck operators.
✅ Easier to obtain than a Class A CDL – The training and testing process is generally shorter.

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