Function

A class B CDL is required to operate any commercial vehicle that weighs more than 26,000 pounds or a vehicle that is towing another vehicle (or trailer) that weighs up to 10,000 pounds.

History

The CDL program was created by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 in order to regulate interstate commercial vehicles. The Act was written in order to set a national standard for drivers of CMVs that the individual states must meet in their motor vehicle licensing programs.

Significance

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the act is meant to improve highway safety by ensuring that commercial drivers are qualified to operate their vehicles. Prior to 1986, any driver that had a license to drive a car was also legally licensed to operate much larger vehicles like buses and tractor trailers.

Features

National standards require that in order for states to issue a CDL, a person must first pass a written knowledge test of at least 30 questions as well as a skills test proving the driver can demonstrate basic vehicle control, safe driving and air brake skills while operating a class B motor vehicle.

Fun Fact

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that since its creation over eight million people have obtained a type of CDL.

Source:

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

National Transportation Safety Board (.pdf)