04/13/2022 00:05
Whether
you’ve been driving trucks for years or you’re just starting out, you know that
earning a CDL is the first step toward an exciting career as a truck driver!
But did you know you could be missing out on certain truck driving jobs because
you don't have any endorsements or restrictions on your driver's license?
Commercial
truck driver jobs are at an all-time low. If you have certain endorsements,
remove any restrictions, and build a strong portfolio, you'll be able to get
hired by a great company. Licensing endorsements also allow you to carry specific
types of cargo, rather than just transporting general freight. As you continue
driving CMVs, you should continue earning endorsements and having restrictions
removed.
CDL Classes
First, let’s
talk about the three different CDL classifications you can earn before you add
endorsements.
Class A CDL
This is the
most common CDL.or more pounds, including a towed object/vehicle
with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 10,000
pounds.
You can
operate the following vehicles with a Class A CDL:
If you've earned the appropriate Class A
licenses, you can even be licensed to operate some Class B or Class C trucks.
You can operate a vehicle at or above 26,000 in GCRW
with a Class B commercial driver’s license.cannot exceed 10,000
pounds.
Vehicles you can drive with a Class B CDL
include:
·
Straight trucks
·
Public transport and tourist passenger
buses
·
Segmented buses
·
School buses
·
Delivery service box trucks
·
Dump trucks with small trailers
·
Tractor-trailers
Like you're allowed to drive different
types of vehicles with a Class A license, you can operate some types of Class C
vehicles with the proper Class B endorsements.
You need a Class C CDL to drive any vehicle
with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 26,001 pounds, a truck
towing another vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds, and a passenger
vehicle with 16 or more people.
You must also hold a Class A CDL to drive a
truck carrying hazmat under federal guidelines.
With a Class C license, you can drive any kind of truck.
·
Small trucks equipped to transport HAZMAT
·
Passenger vans
·
Small trucks towing trailers
Your CDL endorsements determine the
different types of vehicles you can drive and the freight you can transport
within them. How much does a CDL endorsement cost?
Holding more endorsements only makes you a more
desirable hire and increases the likelihood of earning more money and being a
successful driver. Once you earn additional endorsements, you need to
remember to renew them when you renew your CDL to keep them valid.
Holding more endorsements only increases your
desirability as a driver and increases the likelihood of making more money and
being a successful driver.
Applicable classifications: Class A
(commercial drivers), B (combination drivers), and C (non-trucking)
Drivers who hold an N CDL endorsement can
drive tanker trucks or vehicles that transport liquid and gas.
Applicable CDL classifications: Class A and B
Required testing: written knowledge test
If you want to operate a vehicle or a bus
that seats up to 16 passengers, you’ll first need to get your P (passenger),
endorsement.
Applicable CDL classes: Class A, B and C.
Required testing: written knowledge test,
road skills test.
The S (school bus) endorsement is the second endorsement
noted above that’s required to be a school bus driver.
Applicable CDL classifications: Class A, B, and C
Required testing: written knowledge test, road skills test, and background
check
Once you’ve earned your T endorsement, you’ll be able to
haul double or triple trailers.
Applicable CDL classifications: Class A
Required testing: written knowledge test
A combination endorsement by nature, the X endorsement
permits you to transport HAZMAT within a tank.
Applicable CDL classifications: Class A and B
Required testing: written knowledge test
You can also receive CDL limitations during
the testing periods of your trucking career if you're not going to be able to
pass the test.
The type of transmission your car has
during your road skill tests determines whether you’ll be restricted from
driving for six months.
An L restriction on your commercial
driver's license (CDL) means you cannot operate a truck with a full air
brake.
If you have a class A CDL and passed your P
or S endorsements in a Class B or C passenger vehicle you’ll receive an M
restriction on your license and you’ll be excluded from operating any class A
passenger vehicles.
If you have a Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL)
and obtained your P or T endorsement in a Class C truck, you’ll get an N
restriction on your Class B CDL and be prohibited to operate a Class B
passenger vehicle (truck). Removing it involves passing the skills test in a Class
B passenger vehicle.
If you're a Class A CDL truck driver and you took your
road test in a vehicle without a fifth-wheel connection, such as a gooseneck, a
ball and chain hookup, or a pintle hook, you may be required to have an O
restriction added.
If you have a medical variance as defined by FMCSA, your
CDL will have an M restriction on it.
The most common medical variances are:
·
Diabetes
·
Seizures
·
Hearing problems
·
Eyesight impairment
As long as your medical certificate states
you have any of these conditions, the restriction will remain on your license;
however, the FMCSA may provide you with an exemption.
If your medical certificate states you suffer from any
of the following conditions, the restriction will stay on your license;
however, the FMCSA may grant you an exemption.
To become a successful truck driver, you
need to know which types of trucks you want to drive and the best ways to
legally do so, prevent license restrictions as much as possible, and work
towards the endorsements you can earn. Speaking of legality, we can support
you further on some drug and alcohol-related testing, Clearinghouse compliance,
and more. Feel free to reach out to us at Labworks
USA here.