HOME >> ARIZONA


Request Free Information on Arizona Truck Driving Schools In Your Area

APACHE JUNCTION AVONDALE BUCKEYE BULLHEAD CITY
CASA GRANDE CASAS ADOBES CATALINA FOOTHILLS CHANDLER
DREXEL HEIGHTS EL MIRAGE FLAGSTAFF FLORENCE
FORTUNA FOOTHILLS GILBERT GLENDALE GOODYEAR
KINGMAN LAKE HAVASU CITY MARANA MARICOPA
MESA ORO VALLEY PEORIA PHOENIX
PRESCOTT PRESCOTT VALLEY QUEEN CREEK SAHUARITA
SAN LUIS SAN TAN VALLEY SCOTTSDALE SIERRA VISTA
SUN CITY SURPRISE TEMPE TUCSON
YUMA

Which Commercial Drivers License Is Required?

Arizona cement mixer truck

To operate commercial vehicles lawfully within the USA and Arizona, a driver needs to obtain a CDL (Commercial Driver's License). The 3 license classes that one can qualify for are Class A, Class B and Class C. Given that the subject of this article is how to choose a truck driving school, we will discuss Class A and B licenses. What distinguishes each class of CDL is the type of vehicle that the driver can operate as well as the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating). Following are brief explanations of the 2 classes.

Class A CDL. A Class A CDL is needed to operate any vehicle that has a GCWR of more than 26,000 lbs., including a towed vehicle of more than 10,000 lbs. Several of the vehicles that operators may be able to drive with Class A licenses are:

  • Interstate or Intrastate Tractor Trailers
  • Trucks with Double or Triple Trailers
  • Tanker Trucks
  • Livestock Carriers
  • Class B and Class C Vehicles

Class B CDL. A Class B CDL is required to drive single vehicles having a GVWR of greater than 26,000 lbs., or a GCWR of greater than 26,000 lbs. including a towed vehicle weighing up to 10,000 lbs. Several of the vehicles that drivers may be qualified to operate with Class B licenses are:

  • Tractor Trailers
  • Dump Trucks
  • Cement Mixers
  • Large Buses
  • Class C Vehicles

Both Class A and Class B CDLs might also require endorsements to drive certain kinds of vehicles, such as passenger or school buses. And a Class A licensee, with the proper required endorsements, can drive any vehicle that a Class B license holder is qualified to operate.

Find Out More About Arizona Truck Driving Schools