CDL is the short form of the Commercial Driver's License. It is a requirement for any job in the transportation industry, and one that is strictly regulated by the State and Federal regulations of the United States. Truck drivers must acquire it issued by the state where they live.

 

Before obtaining a license, drivers should obtain the manual from their respective state to study. As with any other type of license, the applicant must pass a written exam with theory that includes rules of the road, and a practical exam where the driver must demonstrate that he/she is ready to drive safely and responsibly. There are different types of CDLs, they depend on the type of vehicle.

 

First of all, there are two types of certification, Type 1 for interstate commerce, and Type 2 for intrastate driving.

Then there are different classes of licenses that depend on the interest of the driver:

 

"Class A" License allows the driver to run any vehicle allowed for C and B licenses, since it allows a driver to run a car with more than 26,000 GVWR towing a trailer with more than 10,000 pounds.

 

"Class B" allows the driver to run a vehicle exceeding 26,000 GVWR towing a trailer weighing less than 10,000 pounds, and a school bus, or a vehicle with l6 or more passengers.

 

"Class C" license lets drivers run one vehicle weighing less than 26,000 pounds, or a bus or any vehicle with 16 or more passengers.

 

The requirements to obtain any of these licenses include being 18 or 21 years old, depending on the state and whether it is an interstate license, 18, or an intrastate one, 21.

 

The physical requirements are 20/40 vision with glasses or lenses and 70-degree field vision in both eyes, good hearing, no colorblindness is allowed, have no restrictions on the movements of the limbs, and have a normal blood pressure.

 

Drivers must be able to speak and read English and have no criminal records involving a felony due to the wrong use of a vehicle, being under the influence or the use of drugs.