Driving Academy

There are several classes of licenses for driving commercial vehicles. A Class A CDL is one of the most common. Obtaining this license allows you to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of over 26,000 pounds, assuming the towed trailer weighs more than 10,000 pounds. With a Class A CDL, you can also legally operate Class B vehicles, which opens even more opportunities.

One of the most popular vehicles you can drive with a Class A CDL is a tractor-trailer. Tractor-trailers (also called semi-trucks) are large vehicles used for transporting goods. Their containers don’t connect to the frame of the truck. These vehicles come with different types of trailers based on the goods they’re transporting. Types include dry van trailers, flatbed trailers, refrigerated trailers, Conestoga trailers, standard RGN trailers, lowboy trailers, and drop-deck/step-deck trailers.

A Class B CDL, or commercial driver’s license, qualifies you to drive any Class B vehicle. These are defined as any vehicle that weighs over 26,000 pounds without a trailer. If a Class B truck does pull a trailer, it must weigh less than 10,000 pounds. A wide variety of vehicle types fit under this category, opening the door to all kinds of job opportunities.