CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is a specialized license required by federal law for the operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) including tractor-trailers, large buses, and vehicles transporting hazardous materials. CDLs are issued by individual states but must meet minimum federal standards established by the FMCSA under 49 CFR Part 383.

There are three classes of CDL: Class A, which authorizes operation of combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds; Class B, for single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds; and Class C, for vehicles transporting hazardous materials or designed to carry 16 or more passengers. Most over-the-road truck drivers hold a Class A CDL.

Obtaining a CDL requires passing both knowledge tests and a skills test that includes a pre-trip inspection demonstration, basic vehicle control maneuvers, and an on-road driving test. Additional endorsements are available for specialized operations such as tanker vehicles (N), doubles and triples (T), hazardous materials (H), and passenger transport (P). The Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule implemented in 2022 requires CDL applicants to complete training from a registered training provider before taking their skills test.