May 7, 2025 | Personal Injury
Driving a large, heavy truck or vehicle carrying hazardous materials presents special dangers and therefore requires unique training and skills. A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a special type of driver’s license that allows trained professionals to operate these sorts of vehicles without endangering the public. Although every US state issues its own CDL, in most cases, you can drive throughout the country on any state’s CDL.
CDL Classes
Pennsylvania, as well as many other states, recognizes three types of CDLs—Class A, Class B, and Class C. Distinctions are as follows:
- Class A CDL: A Class A CDL allows you to drive a combination of a cab and trailers with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of over 26,000 pounds, even if the towed vehicle (a trailer) weighs more than 10,000 pounds. If the towed vehicle weighs 10,000 pounds or less, you don’t need a Class A license to drive it, but you might need a Class B license.
- Class B CDL: A Class B CDL allows you to drive a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or a combination of a cab and trailer with a GVWR of no more than 10,000 pounds.
- Class C CDL: A Class C CDL allows you to drive a single vehicle or combination of cab and trailer that does not require a Class A or Class B license, but is designed to transport hazardous materials or at least 16 passengers (including the driver).
Each CDL class authorizes the operation of different types of vehicles, based primarily on weight and usage.
CDL Requirements
Each type of CDL has different requirements. Here’s what you’ll need to do to obtain each in PA:
Class A CDL Requirements
To obtain a Class A CDL, you must:
- Pass a general knowledge test (70 questions)
- Complete entry-level driver training
- Pass a skills test in the class and the type of vehicle you intend to drive
Successfully meeting these requirements qualifies you to operate the largest and most versatile combination vehicles on the road, including tractor-trailers and long-haul rigs.
Class B CDL Requirements
To obtain a Class B CDL, you must:
- Pass a general knowledge test (50 questions)
- Complete entry-level driver training
- Pass a skills test in the class and type of vehicle you intend to drive
Once completed, these steps allow you to legally drive heavy single vehicles such as straight trucks, buses, and dump trucks within Pennsylvania.
Class C CDL Requirements
To obtain a Class C CDL, you must:
- Pass a general knowledge test (50 questions)
- Pass a skills test in the class and type of vehicle you intend to drive
Meeting these requirements certifies you to drive smaller commercial vehicles that don’t fall under Class A or B.
CDL Restrictions
Restrictions prevent you from engaging in certain activities or from driving certain types of vehicles. They include:
- Restriction A: Limits the driver to operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) only within specific local areas
- Restriction E: Automatic transmission only
- Restriction K: Intrastate only (only within Pennsylvania)
- Restriction L: Vehicles with air brakes cannot be operated.
- Restriction N: Can drive only Class C passenger vehicles (16 or more passengers).
- Restriction O: Cannot drive tractor-trailers.
- Restriction Z: Vehicles with full air brake systems cannot be operated.
Other restrictions exist as well. In many cases, these restrictions are based on the features of the vehicle in which the license testing occurred. If the vehicle did not have air brakes, for example, Restriction L would apply.
CDL Endorsements
An endorsement allows you to legally perform driving activities that are otherwise prohibited, even for CDL holders. These activities require special permission because they are particularly difficult, dangerous, or sensitive (carrying schoolchildren, for example).
- Endorsement H (hazmat): Transportation of hazardous materials such as petroleum. Endorsement H requires a TSA background check.
- Endorsement N (tank vehicles): Operation of a vehicle hauling liquid, gas, or empty tanks.
- Endorsement P (passenger transport): Transportation of 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
- Endorsement S (school bus): Requires a prior P endorsement and allows the operation of a school bus. Requires a background check and additional testing.
- Endorsement T (double and triple trailers): Operation of double and triple trailer combinations.
- Endorsement X: A single endorsement that allows the holder to drive both a Tanker (N) and a Hazmat (H) vehicle. Extensive testing is required.
These endorsements allow a CDL holder to have special privileges when it comes to driving.
How An Attorney Can Help
If you have been in an accident involving a commercial truck or bus, a Kingston truck accident attorney can help. Commercial drivers are held to strict safety regulations due to the nature of their responsibilities. If a violation of these rules caused an accident and/or injuries, it may strengthen your case and make it easier to establish fault.
Contact the Scranton Personal Injury Lawyers of Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC for Help Today
For more information, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC to schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys. We proudly serve clients in Scranton, Kingston, Honesdale, Berwick, PA, and Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne Counties. We’re here to fight for your rights with trusted, experienced legal support. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Scranton
436 Spruce St Suite 100, Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Kingston
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Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Honesdale
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Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Berwick
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