Updated December 2019
If you have ever thought about getting your CDL license, now is an excellent time to do so! CDL jobs range from cross-country haul trucking to part-time work delivering in your local area, you can do it all! There are several outstanding Class A and Class B CDL job opportunities to choose from. It’s estimated that the trucking industry could use an additional 50,000 drivers than what is currently available. Remember, “if you bought it, a truck brought it.”
Jobs Opportunities With a Class A CDL
Holding a Class A CDL license proves you have the knowledge and training needed to drive a vehicle that the combined weight (GVWR) is 26,001 or more pounds, as long as the towing vehicle exceeds 10,000 pounds. With a Class A CDL, you can drive tractor-trailers for local, regional and over-the-road trucking. Flatbed trucks, livestock carriers, tanker vehicle and much more. However, the demand is particularly high for long-distance haulers.
Although the exact job requirements for drivers who have a Class A CDL License varies, they generally include securing the truck/trailer when it’s parked, maintaining detailed travel logs, and guiding the vehicle into loading docks. Most long-distance truck drivers log about 500 miles each day.
*Note: With a Class A CDL You can also drive Class B and C vehicles. This type of CDL license allows you to drive semi-trucks for both long and short distances. You can also add endorsements to your Class A CDL such as air brakes, doubles, and triples, tanker and hazmat, which will allow you to operate additional types of vehicles.
Jobs Opportunities With a Class B CDL License
With a Class B CDL license, you’re legally allowed to operate straight vehicles that have gross weight rating that exceeds 26,000 pounds. You’re also legally allowed to drive a tow vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds. It’s not unusual for drivers with a Class B CDL to work as short-distance truck drivers or delivery drivers. Class B drivers operate vehicles such as box trucks, city buses, tourist buses, dump trucks or straight trucks
Duties include highway driving, docking, and undocking, and making sure the vehicle is secure. Some businesses might require that you also oversee the loading of the truck. Some jobs available garbage truck drivers, tow truck, construction truck drivers, delivery drivers, and dump truck drivers.
*Note: Many drivers add a passenger endorsement to their Class B CDL which you would need to drive buses and motor coaches as well.
Jobs Opportunities for Holders of a Class -A + Passenger CDL License
A CDL-A + Passenger is an endorsement for your license that not only allows you to drive semi-trucks and trailers, but also to handle large vehicles that are full of passengers. With this type of license, you can drive both semi-trucks and passenger buses. It’s not uncommon for a driver with this type of license to spend a few years as a long-haul driver and then make a switch to a passenger bus driver.
How United Truck Driving School can Help
With United Truck Driving School, your CDL Training can be completed in as little as three weeks. We offer training programs for both Class A and Class B.
If interested in learning more about CDL training programs, CDL careers or taking the first step towards earning your CDL, contact us today!
