Many individuals that are considering getting a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) wonder if getting a Class B CDL is worth getting.
Actually, it depends on what type of truck driving that you would like to do.
A Class B CDL is the second most popular CDL type with the Class A CDL being the most popular. A Class B CDL allows drivers to transport and haul freight that is more than 26,000 pounds of GVR (gross vehicle weight). A Class B CDL is a great start for individuals that are wanting to get started in the trucking industry, and it is perfect for individual’s that don’t really care to drive a semi-truck or leave your state.
Individuals can obtain a Class B CDL at the age of eighteen, which is great for younger people that are wanting to get started in the trucking industry.
What is Considered a Class B Vehicle?
There are several different types of vehicles that are considered a Class B vehicle, which include:
• Straight Trucks
• Box Trucks
• School Buses
• Tourist Buses
• City Buses
• Dump Trucks
A Class B vehicle is a single vehicle that has a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 26,001 pounds or more without having a trailer.
This means that the vehicle has axles rated to carry 26,001 lbs. or more. This rating is determined by the manufacturer.
This vehicle can also be pulling a trailer as long as the trailer has a GVWR of less than 10,000 lbs. (source)
If you are really serious about getting a Class B CDL then do yourself a favor and check out this article I wrote about them. The article explains everything about the Class B CDL without any filler.
What Kind of Vehicles Can You Drive With a Class B CDL?
There are numerous vehicles that you can drive with a Class B CDL.
A Class B CDL allows you to drive dump trucks, garbage trucks, tow trucks, straight trucks (furniture delivery), delivery trucks (UPS or FedEx) city buses, school buses, tourist buses, box trucks, and dump trucks that is connected to a small trailer.
How Much Can You Make With a Class B CDL?
First, remember that not all drivers make the same salary.
There are different things that needs to be considered on how much you can make with a Class B CDL such as; the state that you live in, if you are being paid by the mile or by the hour, your experience, and bonuses.
Usually, Class B CDL drivers are paid by the hour, and some trucking companies out there may only start their drivers out with minimum wage, but usually a Class B CDL driver will make more than minimum wage.
According to Glassdoor, the average pays a Class B CDL driver in the United States makes $23.00 per hour. (source)
Again, this can vary from state to state and with the company that you are driving for along with the type of freight you are hauling.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for a Class B CDL driver in the United States is approximately $38,000 a year, and in some states the pay could be up to $48,000. (source)
ZipRecruiter posted the date as of September of 2019.
Which is Better, Class A or Class B CDL?
First, it depends on what type of truck you are planning on driving.
Having a CDL will allow you to drive and operate a commercial vehicle depending on which class you decide to get.
What is the difference between a Class A and Class B CDL?
Class A CDL
A Class A CDL is the most popular of the CDL’s. The Class A CDL will allow you to drive a semi-tractor (18-wheeler and big rig).
With a Class A CDL you are able to drive a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. and a trailer that has a GVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more.
To obtain a Class A CDL you have to be twenty-one years and older. The Class A CDL allows you to drive in any state and on any interstate.
The Class A CDL also allows you to haul a flatbed, reefer trailer, and a dry van that has more than one axle on the trailer.
The Class A CDL allows you to haul freight that weighs up to 80,000 pounds.
A Class A CDL driver can drive:
Semi tractor trailers
Double and triple trailers
Tankers
Flatbeds
Any of the Class B and Class C vehicles
Class B CDL
A Class B CDL is the second most popular CDL that individuals get.
The Class B CDL will allow you drive a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more but your trailer cannot exceed 10,000 lbs.
To obtain a Class B CDL you have to be eighteen years old.
The Class B CDL will only allow you to drive in the state that you live.
Most Class B CDL drivers drive a straight truck, box truck, city or school bus, or a dump or garbage truck.
A Class B CDL driver can drive:
Single vehicle that weighs 26,000 pounds or more
Three axle vehicles that has a weight of 6,000 pounds or more
A city bus or school bus
Farm vehicle
Box trucks
Cement mixer
A Class A CDL driver can drive any Class B trucks, but a Class B CDL driver cannot drive any Class A trucks.
A Class B CDL driver cannot drive a tractor trailer because the GVWR of the trailer exceeds 10,001 lbs.
When individuals are thinking about getting into the truck driving industry, they always wonder which class of CDL they should get.
If you don’t want to drive a semi-truck or drive over the road, then you should get the Class B CDL. Having a Class A CDL opens more truck driving options and job opportunities. If you are going to go to CDL truck driving training school, then you may want to go ahead and get the Class A CDL unless you are 100% positive that you don’t want to drive a semi-truck.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Class B CDL?
The Class B CDL training schools vary in the time to get a Class B CDL.
Normally, it can take from one week to one month to get a Class B CDL, but it depends on the training school and the amount of days each week that you will be attending the class.
It usually takes seven to eight weeks to get a Class A CDL, and this is if you are attending a full-time program that is Monday through Friday.
Also, the time will also depend on the state that you live in and attending truck driving training school.
Some states require that each student have so many driving hours with their Class A and B CDL.
To find the exact time it will take to get a Class B CDL is to call your local truck driving school.
They may offer full-time and part-time classes.
Is The Class B CDL Right For You?
A Class B CDL is perfect for the person who wants to drive locally and you don’t want to drive a semi-truck.
There are many different types of vehicles that you can drive with a Class B CDL, which provides you with many different employment opportunities.
The Class B CDL is worth getting if your intention is driving in your state and not over the road.
If you are wanting to get into the trucking industry, then you should consider getting the Class B CDL, then if you decide you want to get your Class A CDL you can do that after you have some experience under your belt.
