Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
Like a regular drivers’ license, a CDL is regulated by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, but also must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules. CDLs come in 3 classes, A, B, and C, and also with a variety of specialized endorsements for specific vehicles or cargo, such as to drive tanker trucks or cranes, or to carry hazardous materials or passengers. Click here for more information from the FMCSA website.
CDL Class A
This license allows a driver to operate a “combination vehicle” that includes both a truck or tractor and one or more trailers. This is the most comprehensive and sought-after license class. The FMCSA requires a new driver to pass a CDL Learner’s permit exam, complete a training program of at least 144 hours in order to earn a Class A license, pass a medical exam specifically designed to assess fitness to drive a large truck, and pass a Vermont DMV driving test.
You must renew a CDL license regularly just like a normal driver’s license.
For more information on wages, job descriptions, and job opening projections, click here.
CDL Class B
This license allows a driver to operate a “straight truck” or bus with a weight of over 26,000 pounds and without a trailer. The FMCSA requires a new driver to pass a CDL Learner’s permit exam and complete a training program of at least 72 hours in order to earn a Class B license. You must also pass a medical exam specifically designed to assess fitness to drive a large truck, and pass a Vermont DMV driving test.
For more information on wages, job descriptions, and job opening projections, click here.
