The class of CDL you need is determined entirely by the vehicle you will drive. FMCSA defines vehicle classes by weight and configuration — not by the type of freight or the industry.
The key question is whether you'll operate a combination vehicle (tractor pulling a detached trailer) or a straight truck (single unit). Combination = Class A. Straight truck or bus = Class B.
| Factor | CDL Class A | CDL Class B |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle definition | Combination vehicles with GCWR over 26,001 lbs where the towed unit exceeds 10,001 lbs | Single vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR, or towing a vehicle under 10,001 lbs |
| Typical vehicles | 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, doubles, triples, flatbeds, tank trucks | Straight trucks, box trucks, school buses, transit buses, dump trucks, concrete mixers |
| Skills test complexity | Harder — includes coupling/uncoupling, backing, on-road with combination vehicle | Simpler — no coupling component; straight truck skills test |
| Written tests | General knowledge + endorsements needed for your vehicle | General knowledge + endorsements (P, S, N as applicable) |
| Includes Class B? | Yes — Class A includes Class B and C privileges | Yes — Class B includes Class C privileges |
| Median driver salary | ~$58,000–$90,000 (long-haul OTR; regional) | ~$45,000–$65,000 (local delivery, school bus, transit) |
| Job market size | Largest — OTR trucking, regional, LTL, tanker, flatbed | Strong — school bus, transit, local delivery, construction |
| Time spent away from home | High for OTR; lower for regional and local Class A | Low — most Class B jobs are local, home daily |
| ELDT requirement | Yes — required for first-time Class A | Yes — required for first-time Class B |
| Cost to train | $3,000–$10,000 (CDL school) or company-sponsored | $2,000–$6,000 (CDL school) or employer-sponsored |
Class A jobs — the long-haul and freight backbone
A CDL Class A opens the most jobs and the highest pay ceiling in commercial driving. The major job categories: OTR (Over The Road) long-haul — weeks away from home, highest per-mile rates; Regional trucking — home weekly or more often, slightly lower rates; LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) — multiple deliveries per day, local or regional; Tanker — hazardous liquids, fuel, food-grade (requires Tanker endorsement); Flatbed — oversized loads, construction materials; Refrigerated (Reefer) — temperature-controlled freight; Owner-operator — after gaining experience, some drivers purchase their own truck and lease to carriers or operate independently.
Starting pay is typically $0.45–$0.65/mile for OTR, $55,000–$65,000/year for regional. Experienced drivers and owner-operators earn significantly more.
Class B jobs — local, consistent, home every night
Class B is the right choice if you want predictable hours, home-daily work, and no coupling/uncoupling complexity. Major job categories: School bus driver — student transport, split shifts, school calendar; Transit bus — city or regional bus, union positions, strong benefits; Straight truck delivery — furniture, appliances, beverage, building materials; Dump truck — construction, aggregate, waste hauling; Concrete mixer — ready-mix delivery; Box truck — local moving companies, package delivery companies; Refuse collection — municipal or private sanitation.
Class B jobs are often municipal or union positions with excellent benefits, pension, and job security that offset the lower gross wages versus OTR trucking.
Should you get Class A even if you only need Class B?
Class A includes all Class B and Class C privileges — if you get a Class A licence, you can legally drive any Class B vehicle without an upgrade. The reverse is not true: a Class B holder cannot drive a tractor-trailer without upgrading.
The skills test for Class A is significantly harder (coupling/uncoupling procedure, backing a combination vehicle), but the written tests are essentially the same. If there's any chance you'll want to drive combination vehicles in the future, getting Class A from the start saves time and money later.
Many employers — especially larger carriers — prefer or require Class A even for positions that technically only need Class B, because it gives them scheduling flexibility.
The practical guide to choosing
If your target job is OTR trucking, regional freight, or anything involving a tractor-trailer — you need Class A, and there's no substitute. If your target job is school bus, transit bus, local delivery, or construction truck driving — Class B is sufficient and the test is more straightforward. If you're unsure or want maximum career options — get Class A. The additional skills test is harder but the investment pays off in job flexibility.
Practice tests for both
CDL General Knowledge Practice Test
75 questions covering the full FMCSA manual — required for all CDL classes.
Free practiceCombination Vehicles Practice Test
Class A-specific content: coupling, uncoupling, air lines, and jackknife prevention.
Free practiceAir Brakes Practice Test
Required endorsement for most Class A and many Class B vehicles with air brakes.