Written by the America’s Driving Force team · Reviewed by Joel Curtis, retired professional truck driver · Published September 29, 2026 · Last reviewed September 29, 2026 · Sources are listed at the end
A CDL is a state-issued license that federal rules require for larger commercial motor vehicles. Federal regulations define three classes: Class A for heavy combinations, Class B for heavy single vehicles, and Class C for smaller vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials. Getting one means a learner's permit, entry-level training where it applies, and a three-part skills test.
Looking for a driving job? Tell us your CDL and location and we will match you with hiring carriers. Comparing carriers? Browse trucking companies in all 50 states.
What a CDL is and who issues it
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is the license a driver needs to operate the larger commercial motor vehicles covered by federal rules. The federal rules set the standards, but the license itself comes from your state. As FMCSA’s CDL page puts it, FMCSA does not issue CDLs; state governments do. That is why the exact forms, fees and office visits differ from one state to the next, while the vehicle groups and testing standards come from the federal regulations.
FMCSA’s page (last updated December 8, 2025) describes three basic steps: get a commercial learner’s permit, complete entry-level driver training if it applies to you, and then pass the CDL skills test. Before any of that, it says the first step is to get a copy of your state’s CDL manual and decide which type of vehicle and kind of driving you want the license for.
The three CDL classes in the federal rules
The federal regulation on commercial motor vehicle groups, 49 CFR 383.91, defines the three classes. Each driver applicant is tested on the vehicle group they want to be licensed for. The regulation calls them groups, and they appear on the license as the letters A, B and C.
| Class | Federal description | Letter on the license |
|---|---|---|
| Class A (combination vehicle) | Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds (11,794 kilograms) or more, provided the vehicle being towed has a GVWR above 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) | A |
| Class B (heavy straight vehicle) | Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR | B |
| Class C (small vehicle) | Any single vehicle or combination that meets neither the Class A nor the Class B definition but is designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is used to transport hazardous materials | C |
In plain terms, Class A is the tractor-trailer class, Class B covers large single vehicles such as a straight truck, and Class C is a catch-all for smaller vehicles that still carry enough passengers or hazardous materials to need a CDL.
How the classes relate to each other
The same regulation explains how the classes relate. A driver who has passed the knowledge and skills tests for a combination vehicle (Class A) may operate a heavy straight vehicle (Class B) or a small vehicle (Class C), as long as they hold the endorsements required for that vehicle. A driver who passed the tests for Class B may operate any Class C vehicle, again with the needed endorsements. A driver who wants to operate in a different group than the one on their license, and does not fit one of those exceptions, must retake and pass all the related tests.
This is why many new drivers aim for Class A: it covers the most vehicles. It is not automatically the right choice for everyone, though, because the regulation defines a representative vehicle for each group and your driving test is taken in a vehicle that meets the definition of the group you want. If you want a plain-language comparison written for job seekers, see our guide on the difference between Class A and Class B CDL licenses.
Endorsement and restriction letters on the license
A class is only part of what is printed on a CDL. Under 49 CFR 383.153, the license also lists any endorsements and restrictions. The endorsement letters are:
- T for double or triple trailers
- P for passenger vehicles
- N for tank vehicles
- H for hazardous materials
- X for a combination of tank vehicle and hazardous materials endorsements
- S for school bus
The regulation also lists restriction codes, including L (no air brake equipped commercial motor vehicle), Z (no full air brake equipped vehicle), E (no manual transmission equipped vehicle), O (no tractor-trailer), M (no Class A passenger vehicle), N (no Class A and B passenger vehicle), K (intrastate only) and V (medical variance). States may add their own codes, but each must be explained on the license. To learn what each endorsement requires, see the testing rules in 49 CFR 383.93. We explain each endorsement in a separate guide on CDL endorsements.
How to get a CDL: the three steps FMCSA describes
FMCSA describes the path to a CDL this way. Each state has its own process, so use your state’s CDL manual as the working guide.
- Get a commercial learner’s permit (CLP). The permit lets you practice on public roads only with a qualified CDL holder sitting next to you. FMCSA says your driving record is checked for the last 10 years in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. You bring proof your state accepts that you are medically qualified, since most commercial driving requires a DOT medical card, plus any documents your state wants for proof of name and residency. There are fees.
- Complete entry-level driver training when it applies. Drivers applying for a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time who were issued a CLP on or after February 7, 2022 must complete training with a registered training provider before testing. FMCSA notes that some states add requirements beyond the federal training rules.
- Pass the skills test and get the CDL. You must hold the CLP for 14 days and complete any applicable training to be eligible for the skills test. The test has three parts: the vehicle inspection test, the basic controls test and the road test. FMCSA cautions that taking the test is no guarantee you will pass, and that you should check every detail at the counter before you leave.
FMCSA also stresses that each type of CDL and endorsement requires a skills test and, in some cases, a written test, and that missing a required test can leave you with restrictions on your license.
Training rules and what to confirm with your state
Who has to complete entry-level driver training? According to FMCSA’s ELDT page, last updated February 4, 2026, it applies to people seeking a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, people upgrading an existing Class B CDL to Class A, and people getting a school bus, passenger or hazardous materials endorsement for the first time. The rules are not retroactive: someone issued a CDL or one of those endorsements before February 7, 2022 does not have to complete training for it. We cover the details in a separate guide on entry-level driver training.
Because states run their own licensing, always confirm current fees, documents, and any extra state rules with your state’s licensing agency and the state CDL manual before you start. Federal pages describe the minimum national standards, and the FMCSA page itself reminds readers to consult the text of the regulations for a full account of the requirements.
If you are still deciding whether trucking is right for you, read our guide on becoming a truck driver with no experience, then browse the directory of trucking companies in all 50 states to see who is hiring near you.
Frequently asked questions
Does FMCSA issue CDLs?
No. FMCSA sets federal standards, but state governments issue CDLs. Each state has its own process, forms and fees, so use your state CDL manual and licensing agency.
What is the difference between a Class A and a Class B CDL?
Under 49 CFR 383.91, Class A covers combinations with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more where the towed vehicle is over 10,000 pounds GVWR. Class B covers a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or one towing a vehicle of 10,000 pounds or less.
Can a Class A holder drive Class B vehicles?
Yes. The regulation says a driver who passed the Class A tests may operate a Class B or Class C vehicle if they hold the endorsements required for it. A Class B holder may operate Class C vehicles the same way.
How long must I hold a learner's permit before the skills test?
FMCSA says you must hold the CLP for 14 days and complete any applicable entry-level driver training before you are eligible to take the CDL skills test.
What are the three parts of the CDL skills test?
FMCSA lists the vehicle inspection test, the basic controls test and the road test. You must pass all three.
Related guides
- Class A vs Class B CDL licenses compared
- How to get a CDL without going to a traditional truck driving school
- What to know before taking CDL classes
About the reviewer
Joel Curtis is a retired professional truck driver with more than 30 years of over-the-road experience in Canada and the United States. He reviews our guides for practical accuracy from a driver’s point of view. Every guide is built from the official sources listed below.
Sources
- How do I get a Commercial Driver's License?, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (last updated December 8, 2025)
- 49 CFR 383.91 Commercial motor vehicle groups, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- 49 CFR 383.153 Information on the CLP and CDL documents and applications, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (last updated February 4, 2026)
- 49 CFR 383.93 Endorsements, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules, fees and requirements change, so confirm current details with the agencies listed above and your state before you act.