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What Is a Class a License?

Christina Edwards
Christina Edwards

A class A license is a type of driver's license issued in the United States. Individuals who possess this type of license are legally allowed to drive very large vehicles with trailers. Some class A truck drivers also need to have special endorsements on their licenses to drive more specialized vehicles. Also, some drivers may have restrictions on their licenses that limit the types of vehicles they can drive.

Drivers who hold a class A license or a class A commercial driver's license (CDL) are legally allowed to drive vehicles over a certain weight. In most states, this weight is 26,000 pounds (11793.4 kilograms). They are also allowed to operate almost any other vehicles as well.

Tanker drivers must have a "N" endorsement, and an additional H endorsement to carry hazardous materials.
Tanker drivers must have a "N" endorsement, and an additional H endorsement to carry hazardous materials.

They can operate all vehicles covered under a class B license or class C license, for instance. A class C license is sometimes referred to as a regular license, and individuals with this license are legally allowed to operate everyday cars and trucks.

Many drivers who work in the commercial trucking industries will need to have certain endorsements on their licenses. An endorsement allows a driver to operate certain types of vehicles. Different endorsements are typically represented by different letters on a class A license.

Class A truck drivers can drive vehicles that are heavier than 26,001 pounds.
Class A truck drivers can drive vehicles that are heavier than 26,001 pounds.

The letter “H” represents a hazardous material endorsement, which allows a driver to operate a vehicle hauling cargo that is toxic, or otherwise harmful to the environment. Radioactive materials and petroleum products are considered to be hazardous materials. Many of these dangerous materials must be hauled in a tanker trailer, and the letter “N” represents a tanker endorsement. This endorsement allows a driver to drive tanker trucks. Drivers who have a combination of these two endorsements may have the letter “X” on their license.

Drivers typically need to attend a course and pass both a written and a driving exam to earn a class A license.
Drivers typically need to attend a course and pass both a written and a driving exam to earn a class A license.

Some commercial trucks are also able to haul two or three trailers at one time. Many drivers and motor vehicle departments refer to these as double and triple trailers. The letter “T” on a class A license allows the holder of a class A license to operate trucks hauling more than one trailer. A driver hauling more than a certain number of passengers must also have an additional endorsement, known as a passenger endorsement. This is usually represented by either the letter “P” or the letter “S”.

A class A CDL license may also have certain restrictions. One example of this is an air brake restriction, which prohibits drivers from operating vehicles with air brakes. This restriction is sometimes represented with the letter “L”.

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

I used to think I wanted to drive a truck, but after seeing the conditions they put up with, I've changed my mind. I'd have to pay to go to truck driving school to get my Class A license, anyway.

A Class A license would be useful, though. I might be able to get a delivery job in town, which would be good. Someone is always looking for a delivery driver.

I don't really think I'd want to drive a big rig, anyway. A small truck or van would be more my speed, but a Class A license would certainly help me get hired quicker.

Grivusangel

A Class A license is helpful if you're driving large vehicles of any kind. Our church has a 15-passenger van, and even though anyone with a valid license can operate it, the man who usually drives it has a Class A license. He was a long-haul truck driver, but does mostly short hauls now.

It's just a matter of training and experience. He has a lot of experience dealing with an 18-wheeler in Los Angeles traffic, so dealing with a van load of loud teenagers isn't much of a challenge for him. He's comfortable with large or small vehicles, and we know he's been trained to deal with a variety of situations.

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    • Tanker drivers must have a "N" endorsement, and an additional H endorsement to carry hazardous materials.
      By: Greg Pickens
      Tanker drivers must have a "N" endorsement, and an additional H endorsement to carry hazardous materials.
    • Class A truck drivers can drive vehicles that are heavier than 26,001 pounds.
      By: torugo
      Class A truck drivers can drive vehicles that are heavier than 26,001 pounds.
    • Drivers typically need to attend a course and pass both a written and a driving exam to earn a class A license.
      By: Monkey Business
      Drivers typically need to attend a course and pass both a written and a driving exam to earn a class A license.
    • Some drivers may have restrictions on their class A licenses that limit the types of vehicles that they can drive.
      By: beeboys
      Some drivers may have restrictions on their class A licenses that limit the types of vehicles that they can drive.