In the United States, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 established minimum requirements that must be met when a state issues a CDL.[1] In some states, a CDL may be required to drive a recreational vehicle or agricultural vehicle. However, such vehicles are federally exempt from having to obtain a CDL. The following types of CDL licenses are:
Class A – Allows the cardholder to operate combination of vehicles in commerce. This includes vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds (11,794 kg) or more provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the trailer is more than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg). Vehicle examples that fall under Class A are tractor trailers and trailer buses (Passenger endorsement required).