Class B To Class A

Topic 31162 | Page 1

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Adam B.'s Comment
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I have 3 years of class B driving, what companies will hire me to make the transition to a class A driver thanks

Rob T.'s Comment
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Apply For Paid CDL Training and your application will be sent to numerous companies. Unfortunately your experience with class B basically means nothing when it comes to class A.

A path we don't typically recommend is trying to get on with an LTL carrier. Chances are you'd have to start working the dock and wait for a dock to driver, or driver apprentice position to open up. You could also see if anybody in your area utilizes class A and B vehicles and get them to get you your class A. Most of this advice is location dependent.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

LTL:

Less Than Truckload

Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.

LTL carriers include:

  • FedEx Freight
  • Con-way
  • YRC Freight
  • UPS
  • Old Dominion
  • Estes
  • Yellow-Roadway
  • ABF Freight
  • R+L Carrier
Rhino's Comment
member avatar

I had class b as well but I went to a private truck driving school to get my class a. I got hired right out of school ( call it luck I guess) at reddaway (aka yrc,yellow). Check them out they have truck driving schools.

Apply For Paid CDL Training and your application will be sent to numerous companies. Unfortunately your experience with class B basically means nothing when it comes to class A.

A path we don't typically recommend is trying to get on with an LTL carrier. Chances are you'd have to start working the dock and wait for a dock to driver, or driver apprentice position to open up. You could also see if anybody in your area utilizes class A and B vehicles and get them to get you your class A. Most of this advice is location dependent.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

LTL:

Less Than Truckload

Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.

LTL carriers include:

  • FedEx Freight
  • Con-way
  • YRC Freight
  • UPS
  • Old Dominion
  • Estes
  • Yellow-Roadway
  • ABF Freight
  • R+L Carrier
Kerry L.'s Comment
member avatar

I have 3 years of class B driving, what companies will hire me to make the transition to a class A driver thanks

It's the same companies that will hire someone with no experience driving a CMV at all. You will be treated as having no experience at all because driving a combination vehicle is substantially different from driving a class B vehicle.

Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Paid CDL Training Programs

Here are links to useful information to check out on the site.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Combination Vehicle:

A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.

CMV:

Commercial Motor Vehicle

A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:

  • Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
  • Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
  • Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
  • Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
  • Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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