Truck drivers are in high demand, and if a job on the road interests you, truck driving provides a variety of different roles and responsibilities. From gas tankers to passenger busses, drivers must have certain licenses, endorsements, and education to become a successful driver. If you’re looking for local CDL jobs Charlotte NC, learn more about the different requirements based on your driving interests.
What is a CDL?
A CDL, or commercial driving license, is a license specifically for driving commercial vehicles like tractor trailers and busses.
CDLs have three distinct classes that are based on vehicle weight, and any special considerations like carrying passengers or hazardous material. A Class A CDL is for the lightest vehicles and allows operation of flatbeds, tractor-trailers or livestock carriers. With a Class B CDL, a driver can now handle box trucks, dump trucks or passenger buses. Class C CDL drivers can transport hazardous materials and passenger vehicles that can hold more than sixteen people.
While these distinct classes are the starting point to how CDLs are classified, if you’re interested in driving more specialized commercial vehicles, you will also need to have an endoresement on your license. The following are common endorsements to place on your CDL to open up more options for your career:
- H for hazardous materials
- P for passengers
- S for school busses
- T for liquid tankers
Obtaining Your CDL
The first step to obtaining your CDL is to receive your commerical driving permit from your local DMV. Just like a regular license, you must pass a written exam before being handed a permit, and this permit will aloow you to practice the skills you will need to pass the exams necessary to receive your CDL. While the federal guidelines for receiving a CDL are strict and consistent across state lines, each state designs their own written and driving exam to test content knowledge and skills. The federal minimum age for obtaining a CDL is 21, but some states allow a person as young as 18 to apply. In these situations, they have a CDL that only allows them to drive within the state of their residency, but once they turn 21, this restriction on their CDL is removed and they can travel across state lines.
With the proper training, you can be on the pathway to a job that provides solid benefits, areas of growth and opportunity, and a chance to see the country.