Earning your driver’s license once and for all is a pretty big deal to do; now you can legally drive pickup trucks passenger vehicles, SUVs, and even Jeeps—you no longer have to rely on others for transportation and you can legally drive yourself just about anywhere that you want to. Your driver’s license is even valid in other states so hit the road and start exploring.

However, if you want to start working as a commercial driver then you’re going to need a different type of license—so then what are the classifications for different commercial vehicle licenses in Kentucky? The type of commercial driver’s license dictates everything from the type of vehicle you can legally operate to your average annual income.

Kentucky Has Three Types of Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Pretty much all states have three classifications of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The type of license you should get depends on the type of vehicle you want to drive. You’re also not limited to holding only one license.

You get to hang onto your driver’s license and you can apply for one, two, or all three types of commercial licenses. The reason you can basically collect commercial driver’s licenses is fairly simple.

Each license applies to a specific type of vehicle and since you’re allowed to operate any type of motor vehicle with the correct license, you can hold as many as you want.

Class A CDL

If you want to operate a commercial motor vehicle with a gross weight rating of 26,001 pounds or heavier, you need a Class A commercial driver’s license. This also applies if any vehicle you’re driving is towing loads weighing 10,001 pounds or more. This is also considered a basic commercial vehicle license and it’s a good place to start if you’re not used to handling large and/or heavy trucks like semis.

Class B CDL

If you’re planning on operating any of the following types of vehicles, you must have a valid Class 2 CDL.

• A straight truck with a gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds with two or more axles
• A vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 pounds with two or more axles and pulling a vehicle with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less
• A single vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver themselves with a gross weight of at least 26,001 pounds.

If you’re not sure if the commercial vehicle you want to drive meets any of the following requirements then you should check with the trucking company.

You can also look up the vehicle’s manufacturer online and find the specifics and another option is to take a trip to your local DMV. Someone there should be able to provide some sort of guidance on the type of commercial license you need to earn.

Class C CDL

If you’re planning on transporting hazardous cargo you need more than a warning sign on the vehicle. You also need to have a valid Class 3 CDL which is also a requirement if the vehicle is designed to transport more than 16 passengers at a time—think of an excursion bus.

Understanding Commercial License Endorsements in Kentucky

Sometimes, getting your commercial driver’s license isn’t enough to start operating a large and heavy vehicle. To obtain an endorsement, you’ll need to go through some additional testing.

Don’t panic, these tests are usually pretty simple and you only need a passing grade to start driving commercial vehicles. Some examples of endorsements you may need to get include:

• P – passenger endorsement
• H – hazardous materials endorsement
• T – double/triple trailer endorsement
• S – school bus endorsement
• N – tank truck endorsement
• X – tank/hazardous materials combined endorsement

If you’re not sure if you need one or more endorsements then your instructor or employer can usually provide some guidance and you can also check with Kentucky’s DMV requirements.

What About CDL Restrictions

Simply getting a valid Commercial Driver License doesn’t automatically mean you can jump behind the wheel of any type of vehicle and this can apply even if you have a class 1, 2, and 3 CDL. Some common restrictions placed on CDLs by Kentucky’s Department of Motor Vehicles can include the following:

• M – No Class A passenger vehicle
• K – Intrastate only
• E – No manual transmission equipped CMV
• P – No passengers in the CMV bus
• O – No tractor-trailer CMV
• V – Medical variance
• L – No air brake-equipped CMV
• X – No cargo in the CMV tank vehicle
• N – No Class A and Class B passenger vehicle
• Z – No full air brake equipped CMV

As we mentioned earlier, the DMV is responsible for placing and removing any license restrictions. You can learn more about any potential restrictions from your employer, the state police, or by contacting the DMV.

How to Get a Commercial Driver License in Kentucky

Getting your driver’s license isn’t a time-consuming or difficult process—you do need to meet a few criteria but it’s nothing too complicated.

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a CDL license; you may be able to take the classes before you turn 18 but you have to wait before heading to the DMV.

There aren’t any exceptions to this law and even if you’re an emancipated adult at 17 you must also have a current and valid driver’s license. So once again this is a requirement and there aren’t any exemptions.

After going through the training classes you’re going to need to complete all of the associated CDL paperwork. This includes the commercial driver’s license application. You’re also going to need to submit a medical certificate from a licensed healthcare provider and all CDL applicants must also be either permanent residents or U.S. citizens.

If you meet all of the above requirements outlined above then it’s finally time to schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police since they’re the ones responsible for giving you the vision, skills, and written tests.

If you pass all three tests involved then you get to sit for a picture that goes on your commercial driver’s license.

Being a commercial driver in Kentucky can open the door to a lucrative and rewarding career so what are you waiting for? Get started today and enjoy a rewarding new career.