by 
The Curious Bag
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Large truck and bus drivers must have one of three Commercial Driver's Licenses. Under these licensing regulations, Class A CDL licensees are authorized to drive heavier trucks and transport larger cargo than Class B CDL drivers.
The Facts
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 requires truck drivers to pass the written exams based on the qualifications needed to drive Class A, B or C vehicles.
Class A CDL
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) identifies class A vehicles as any type of vehicle or series of vehicles that have a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more. This includes tractor-trailers that can transport freight loads.
Class B CDL
Class B CDL licensees can drive vehicles that weigh less than 26,001 pounds and trucks that can tow up to 10,000 pounds of cargo.
Considerations
Class A CDL licensees are allowed to drive Class B vehicles, but Class B CDL drivers cannot operate Class A vehicles.
Training
As of late 2009, there are no federal CDL training requirements. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed new regulations that may soon require entry-level Class A CDL drivers to complete at least 76 hours of classroom training and Class B CDL drivers to have at least 58 hours of training.
Source:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-Commerical Driver's License Program (CDL/CDLIS)
refrigeratedtrans.com-Driver Training Schools
education-portal.com-Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) Certification: Overview of Programs
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