CDL
Commercial Driver's License — a license required to operate large, heavy, or hazardous materials vehicles in the United States.
A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is a specialized driver's license required by federal law to operate certain categories of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the United States. The CDL program was established by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 to create uniform standards for commercial drivers across all states, replacing a patchwork of inconsistent state requirements.
CDLs are issued in three classes: Class A permits operation of combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 pounds — this covers tractor-trailers, truck and trailer combinations, and most tanker vehicles. Class B covers single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, such as straight trucks, large buses, and dump trucks. Class C is for vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers or carrying hazardous materials requiring placards.
Endorsements expand CDL privileges for specific vehicle types or cargo: H (Hazardous Materials), N (Tank Vehicle), P (Passenger), S (School Bus), T (Double/Triple Trailers), and X (combined Hazmat and Tank). Each endorsement requires passing an additional knowledge test, and the H endorsement also requires a TSA background check.
Obtaining a CDL involves passing both a written knowledge exam and a skills test that includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control maneuvers, and an on-road driving test. Federal regulations also require completing an entry-level driver training (ELDT) program from a registered training provider before taking the skills test. CDL holders are subject to stricter rules than regular drivers, including lower BAC limits (0.04%), mandatory drug and alcohol testing, and comprehensive medical certification requirements.