Anyone considering a career in truck driving needs a Commercial Driving License (CDL). If you’re a CDL holder, it demonstrates you possess the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a commercial truck safely.
Besides CDL, a legitimate trucking operation requires a
USDOT number,
truck insurance, and Unified Carrier Registration (UCR), among other requirements.
After attending a driving school and passing the necessary tests, a CDL is a pass to drive commercial trucks on highways.
More importantly, a driver with a CDL arguably makes fewer mistakes, resulting in fewer losses and higher profits for your trucking business.
Who Is Required To Hold A California CDL?
The law has set high driving standards for people with commercial driving licenses in California.
According to California Law, you need a CDL to operate any of the following vehicles:
- A 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 pounds
- A vehicle transporting hazardous material
- A vehicle that’s towing another vehicle or trailer with 10,000 pounds or more
- A single vehicle with a gross weight of 26,001 or more
- A vehicle designed and maintained to carry 9 or more passengers, including the driver
- A vehicle transporting hazardous waste
- A combination of vehicles with a gross (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
Anyone with questions about the insurance requirements for a CDL should discuss the matter with a California insurance agency that regularly handles commercial vehicle insurance.
Types of CDLs
There are three classes of CDLs, as below:
Commercial Class A CDL
You must hold a
commercial class A license to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross combination rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds as long as the towed vehicle weighs over 10,000 pounds.
Here are the vehicles you may drive with class A CDL:
- Tanker vehicles
- Livestock carriers
- Flatbeds
- Trailer and Truck combinations
- Tractor trailers, also known as 18-wheelers, semis, or Big-rigs
- Most class B or class C, depending on endorsements
Commercial Class B CDL
You need a commercial Class B CDL to operate any single vehicle (that isn’t attached to a trailer) with a GVWR of more than 26,000 pounds and any detached towed cargo vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds.
Here are the vehicles you can operate with Class B CDL:
- Dump trucks with attached trailers
- Segmented buses
- Large buses, including school buses, city buses, and tourist buses
- Straight trucks
- Box trucks, such as furniture or delivery trucks
- Some class C vehicles with suitable endorsements
Commercial Class C CDL
You need commercial Class C CDL to operate a single vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, or a vehicle towing another vehicle weighing less than 10,000 pounds, or transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
You can operate the following vehicles with Class C CDL:
- Buses
- Tank Trucks
- Triple or double-trailer
- Hazmat vehicles
Common Fees for a CDL License
The cost of obtaining a commercial driving license varies from state to state, according to the type and training program. For instance, a CDL Class A license costs $85. If you want to endorse your CDL, expect to pay an average cost of $5-50 each.
Suppose you’re a new Class A or Class B CDL seeker. In that case, you must complete
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), which has been mandatory since February 2022 and involves theory and practical elements. The average cost of ELDT training is between $1,500 and $5,000.
There are also additional fees related to medical exams, study materials, courses, and potential drug and alcohol testing.
You can eliminate surprises through budget planning, which involves a detailed budget plan that includes all fees, training charges, and miscellaneous expenses.
You may also consider an employer assistance program where trucking companies offer CDL training funding with a commitment to work after licensing.
Process of Getting Your CDL in California
Here’s the full process of how to get CDL in California:
Step 1: Ensure You Meet All Eligibility Requirements
You must provide the following documents to meet the eligibility requirements of a CDL in California:
- Verify your Identity using an acceptable method—for interstate trips; the trainee should be at least 21 years old and 18 years old for the same state.
- Medical Examination Report
- Provide proof of social security number.
Step 2: Commercial Learner’s Permit
After submitting the necessary documentation, you’ll need a commercial learner’s permit, a step closer to the valid CDL. Before submitting your application, ensure you’re 18 years old and a regular driving license holder.
Similar to the eligibility criteria in step 1, you’ll need a social security card, thumbprints, and photos.
After meeting that criterion, submit the following details:
- Medical examination report compiled by a registered practitioner
- A commercial driver’s license application
- A self-certification form declaring the commercial vehicle you want to drive
After that, you’ll be required to pay a license fee for the commercial license permit class. Candidates who proceed to the next stage should pass the vision test and a written exam.
Next, the
California Department of Motor Vehicles will issue you a commercial learner’s permit.
Consequently, you become eligible to train for class A vehicles, including (tractor-trailers, trucks, tanker vehicles, etc.) under the supervision of a driver with a class A CDL. After a few months of practice, you can undertake a road test to get a CDL.
The last step involves attending a truck driving school to familiarize yourself with the vehicles, undertake practical driving lessons, and learn how to inspect them.
Step 3: Get Your Truck CDL
First, call your local CDL office to make an appointment. You’ll take a driving test to attain the certification at this stage. However, you’ll need to bring the appropriate class vehicle to the CDL office.
The vehicle will only be accepted if it passes a pre-inspection from the DMV. The road test offers three trials, after which you’re issued an interim CDL.
The interim CDL is valid for 90 days or until the final CDL arrives in your mail.
Speak to a Knowledgeable Truck Insurance Professional
Getting your CDL in California is a key step in compliance as also learning good truck driving skills, which is often rewarded by insurance companies.
What’s more, you deserve the best truck insurance to reduce potential loss to your business.
At
Panorama Insurance Agency, we work closely with multiple insurers to provide an affordable and tailored insurance plan.
Contact us online or call us at
818.658.2867 to schedule an appointment.
