As a truck driver, you have a lot of opportunities in front of you. While you can stick to hauling general freight, you can significantly increase your earning potential by accepting different types of cargo. Depending on the class of your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you may be able to obtain other trucker endorsements that can help you earn more for less work.
But what does CDL stand for? What’s a CDL endorsement useful for? And how do I get CDL endorsements? We’re going to delve into the different types of CDL endorsements and CDL endorsement codes so you can give your career a jump start. We’ll also explore the main methods for adding an endorsement to a CDL in CA and other states.
What are the Different CDL Classes?
Before you can start earning trucker endorsements, you need to have the proper CDL to legally drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). The type of CMV you plan to operate will dictate which CDL class you need. CDLs are broken into three classes that determine the type and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the CMV you’re legally permitted to operate.
Truckers have been required to hold a CDL since April 1, 1992. This mandate was instituted to stop unqualified drivers from operating large vehicles. Be aware that some states offer more classes of CDL, such as ones that make exceptions for farming vehicles or first response trucks. The three primary CDL types, or permit classes, are:
Class A CDL
Holding a Class A CDL grants you the authority to pilot a vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds. This includes a towed object/vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Vehicles you’re permitted to operate with a Class A CDL include:
- Tractor-trailers and flatbeds
- Livestock carriers
- Tank vehicles
- Truck and trailer combinations
- Tractor-trailer buses
- Semi-truck with a flatbed trailer
You can even be authorized to operate some Class B and Class C trucks, granted you’ve earned the appropriate CDL Class A endorsements.
Common occupations for CDL Class A holders include:
- Heavy truck drivers
- Couriers
- Bus drivers
A Class A is the most common CDL issued.
Class B CDL
After you receive a Class B CDL, you are allowed to drive a vehicle at or in excess of 26,001 pounds in gross combination weight rating. If the vehicle is used for towing, the gross vehicle rating cannot surpass 10,000 pounds.
If you are towing, the GVWR of the vehicle being towed may not exceed 10,000 pounds.
Vehicles you’re permitted to operate with a Class B CDL include:
- Straight trucks
- City and tourist passenger buses
- Segmented buses
- School buses
- Box trucks (designed for delivery services)
- Dump trucks with a small trailer
- Tractor-trailers
Similar to how Class A CDL endorsements allow you to operate different vehicles, if you take the time to get the right Class B endorsements you can operate some Class C vehicles. Commercial drivers with this license type have a broader range of specific types of vehicles they can operate, although there are still restrictions.
Class C CDL
A Class C CDL and the appropriate driver training are required to operate a single vehicle with GVWR of fewer than 26,001 pounds or a vehicle towing another vehicle that has a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 pounds as well as a passenger vehicle with 16 (including the driver) or more people. This class of CDL is also required to operate a truck hauling dangerous cargo labeled as hazardous material (HAZMAT) under federal guidelines.
With a Class C CDL and the correct endorsements, you can operate:
- Small trucks equipped to transport HAZMAT
- Passenger vans
- Small truck towing a trailer
How Many CDL Endorsements are There?
As described in the classes section, different CDL endorsements can affect which CMV you can operate and whether you can drive passengers. When applying for your CDL, you must also apply for the endorsements you seek. Once you’ve declared which ones you want, you’ll be issued the appropriate CDL endorsements test, which you can take in one of the designated testing center locations near you.
As is the case for the different CDL Classes between states, you can also expect different endorsement requirements for CDLs per state, which you can find online. It can differ from state to state, but there are commonly six endorsements on a license available for a CDL.
Additional tests exist to obtain federal CDL endorsements outside of Class A, B, or C CDL requirements. You can find the different types of CDL endorsements you can pursue in the CDL endorsements list below:
H Endorsement
An H endorsement permits the CDL holder to operate a vehicle that is loaded with HAZMAT. To receive a HAZMAT endorsement, you first need to pass a written knowledge test that will ensure you are capable of transporting hazardous materials.
N Endorsement
Having an N CDL endorsement allows an operator to drive a tanker vehicle (vehicles that haul resources in the form of liquid and gasses). A driver must complete a written knowledge test for a tanker CDL endorsement N.
P Endorsement
If you want to operate a vehicle or bus that seats 16 (including you, the driver) or more people, you first need to get a P endorsement. The passenger P endorsement is only issued to those who have passed both a written knowledge test and a road test. If you want to drive a school bus, separate forms and a federal background check are needed because school bus drivers require two different endorsements.
S Endorsement
The second endorsement a school bus driver needs is the S endorsement. To receive an S endorsement, you will first need to pass a written knowledge test, road skills test, and a background check.
T Endorsement
The T endorsement permits you to drive either a double or triple trailer. To get a T endorsement, you will need to take a written knowledge test.
X Endorsement
The X endorsement allows you to operate a vehicle hauling HAZMAT within a tank. To get this combination endorsement, you will need to pass a written knowledge test.
CDL Restrictions
Similar to how your CDL driver’s license endorsements grant you access to different vehicle types and loads, you can receive restrictions marked on your CDL, meaning that you can’t operate certain types of vehicles without additional training to upgrade your license.
E Restriction
The E restriction refers to the type of transmission you’re allowed to operate in terms of a CMV. If you perform your road skill test using an automatic transmission, your CDL will be marked with an E restriction. This E restriction prohibits you from driving a CMV with a manual transmission.
L Restriction
An L restriction dictates what type of braking system your CMV can have. An L restriction on your CDL will prohibit you from operating a vehicle with a full air brake system. An L restriction is obtained by either driving a vehicle without a full air brake system or failing to pass the air brakes knowledge exam.
M Restriction
An M restriction is placed on any Class A CDL that passed their P (passenger) or S (school bus) endorsements with a Class B or C passenger vehicle. This M restriction excludes the driver from operating any Class A passenger vehicles.
N Restriction
The N restriction is reserved for Class B CDL holders who obtained their P (passenger) or S (school bus) endorsement in a Class C passenger vehicle. The Class B CDL holder is prohibited from operating a Class B passenger vehicle.
O Restriction
The O restriction is issued to Class A CDL drivers who took their road skill test in a vehicle not equipped with a fifth-wheel connection or pintle hook. It limits the driver to only CMVs without a fifth-wheel connection.
V Restriction
The V restriction is marked on a CDL when the holder has a reported medical variance by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Medical variances are impairments that can present a hazard on the road. Some medical variances include:
- Diabetes
- Hearing issues
- Seizures
- Eyesight impairment
Z Restriction
A Z restriction on your CDL means you are not authorized to operate any CMV with full air brakes. The Z restriction is issued if you performed the road skills test in a vehicle outfitted with air-over hydraulic brakes. To remove this restriction, you will need further skills testing to become a fully licensed driver.
Which endorsements for CDL are available for each CDL Classification?
Different types of CDL endorsements, such as passenger endorsements or tanker endorsements, allow drivers to drive certain types of vehicles, transport hazardous materials, or even drive school buses.
Class A CDL holders have access to the following CDL endorsements:
- H endorsement (Hazardous Materials)
- N endorsement (Tanker Vehicles)
- P endorsement (Passenger Vehicles)
- S endorsement (School Bus Transport)
- T endorsement (Double and Triples)
- X endorsement (Combination endorsement covering both Tanker and Hazardous Materials)
Class B CDL holders have access to the following CDL endorsements:
- H endorsement (Hazardous Materials)
- N endorsement (Tanker Vehicles)
- P endorsement (Passenger Vehicles)
- S endorsement (School Bus Transport)
- X endorsement (Tanker and Hazardous Materials)
Class C CDL holders have access to the following CDL endorsements:
- H endorsement (Hazardous Materials)
- P endorsement (Passenger Vehicles)
- S endorsement (School Bus Transport)
Tenstreet can help put your endorsements to work!
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