A Class A commercial license (CDL) allows a driver to drive a combination of vehicles which have a gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, inclusive of towed units over 10,000 pounds.
Requirements to earn your Commercial Drivers License (CDL).
- Must be 18 years old for intrastate driving and 21 years old for interstate driving with a satisfactory driving record.
- Must provide a 10-year driving history from every state in which you’ve held a license and must have an acceptable driving record.
- Must have a non-commercial driver's license before applying for a commercial permit.
- Must be a resident of the state where the license test will be taken and be a US Citizen or have a lawful permanent residency.
- Must Pass a Department Of Transportation physical test. You'll need to find a healthcare proessional on the official FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners to conduct the exam. Major factors are: Blood pressure at or below 140/90, vision with or without glasses at 20/40, Uranalysis for underlying issues like diabetes, and a separate DOT drug test.
- Download your state’s CDL Manual as well as take our IMPROV ONLINE COMMERCIAL CLASS A DRIVING COURSE and focus on General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles as you will be tested on those subjects to get your Commercial License Permit and begin your Entry Level Driver’s Training.
- Fill out an application for a learners permit and begin the ELDT phase with OUR IMPROV ONLINE CLASS A THEORY COURSE. After passing the online course assessment with a score of 80% or better, a report will be issued to the FMCSA to record that you have completed the online training, which can be accessed by the DMV for confirmation. Take and pass the 3 part DMV written exam which tests on the topics mentioned in #5 above and receive your Commercial License Permit (CLP). You can also take one or more endorsements’ tests at this time i.g. Tankers (N), School Bus (S) Hazmat (H) Tanker and Hazmat (X) and/or Passenger (P)
- With your CLP you can now enroll with an FMCSA Commercial Truck Training School (we recommend 5 star rated Easy Affordable Truck Academy) who will give you a hefty discount for already completing your online training). You must complete the mandatory Behind The Wheel Training Course, along with a 14 day waiting period from the date of receiving your CLP, before you can take your Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Test. After you take OUR ONLINE Entry Level Driver’s Training Theory Course, let us know and we’ll contact Easy AffordableTruck Academy and inform them that you will be enrolling in their BTW Driver's Training Course which will give you the valuable referral discount.
- After you complete the Behind The Wheel Training from Easy Truck School, they will electronically submit your graduation certificate to the federal registry. The DMV will check this registry before allowing you to book your road test.
- Take and pass your Behind The Wheel Drive test which includes 3 parts: Pre-trip Inspection, Basic Controls, and Road Test and you’re ready to hit the road with your Commercial Drivers License.
Notes: With a Class A License you can also expand your expertise with Endorsements such as: Hazmat, Tanker, Hazmat and Tanker, Passenger, and School Bus, for which EZ Way Driving School also provides through our Online Improv Educational Courses. One or more of these endorsements make you much more employable. Check out our Online Endorsement Classes.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 530-855-8109 or me, Andrew Georgeson, the business CEO at 530-955-1312. If we can't answer your questions on the spot, we'll find the answers and get back to you. We're here to serve.
Do OUR FMSCA APPROVED ONLINE DRIVING THEORY COURSE HERE WITH US, SAVE MONEY ON THE COURSE, AND GET AN ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT on your Behind The Wheel Driving Course at Easy Affordable Truck Academy in Sacramento.
This is an Entry-level CDL training course for operating single commercial vehicles such as buses, straight trucks, and delivery vehicles. Includes safety standards and professional driving skills. Class B license holders may drive a combination of vehicles which has a gross combination weight rating or gross weight 26,001 pounds or more inclusive of a towed a vehicle weighing no more that 10,000 pounds or transport 16 or more passengers including the driver with a passenger “P” endorsement. For school buses an “S” endorsement is also required.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A CLASS B LICENSE:
Step 1: Baseline Eligibility & Medical Before you go to the DMV, you must ensure you are legally and physically qualified. Age:18 for intrastate (within your state), 21 for interstate (crossing state lines) or Hazmat.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Driver’s License: You must already hold a valid, standard driver's license.
- DOT Physical: Visit a certified medical examiner to get your Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC). They will check your vision, hearing, and blood pressure. Major factors are: Blood pressure at or below 140/90, vision with or without glasses at 20/40, Urinalysis for underlying issues like diabetes, and a separate DOT drug test.
- Driving Record: You must provide an acceptable 10-year driving history from every state in which you’ve held a license.
- Must take the CDL test in the state of your residency.
Step 2: The Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
You cannot begin "Behind-the-Wheel" training until you have this permit.
- Study: Review your state's Commercial Driver Handbook. Focus on General Knowledge, air brakes, and any endorsements you want (like Passenger or Tanker)
- Written Tests: Go to the DMV and pass the General Knowledge exam. If the truck you intend to drive has air brakes (most Class B trucks do), you must also pass the Air Brakes test.
- Identity Verification: Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (e.g., Birth Certificate or Passport).
- Wait Period: Federal law requires you to hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you are allowed to take the final skills test.
Step 3: Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
As of 2026, you must complete a training program from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. You cannot skip this step to "challenge" the test on your own.
- Driver’s Theory Training: Do our (OUR ONLINE COURSE) modules covering, General Knowledge, Air Brakes (if you plan on driving Class B vehicles with air brakes and most of them do) and safety. You must score at least 80% on the school's assessments. This gets you your ELDT permit or CLP. Upon completion your Improv course completion report will be electronically be sent to FMCSA and you can download a copy to show to your Behind The Wheel School.
- Behind-the-Wheel (BTW): You must train on a private range (backing maneuvers) and public roads. We recommend 5-star Easy Affordable Truck Academy in Sacramento. They will give you a substantial discount when referred by us and provide a vehicle for training and taking your DMV BTW exam.
- Certification: Your BTW school will electronically submit your BTW completion to the federal registry. The DMV will verify this before allowing you to book your road test.
Step 4: The CDL Skills Test
Once you’ve had your permit for 14 days and finished ELDT BTW training, you can take the three-part practical exam in a Class B vehicle:
- Pre-Trip Inspection: You must demonstrate and explain how to check the engine, tires, lights, and air brakes for safety.
- Basic Control Skills: Backing maneuvers such as straight-line backing and "alley docking."
- Road Test: Driving on public streets while being evaluated on turns, intersections, and gear stripping.
If you think you might drive Class A vehicles, you may want to go straight to a Class A license which includes Class B previleges.
Step 5: Final License Issuance
After passing the skills test, return to the DMV office with your test results and medical card and pay the licensing fee. Your Class B CDL will then be issued and you're ready to roll.
CLASS B ENDORSEMENTS (Optional
If you want to drive specific types of Class B vehicles, you may need these additional endorsements:
- Passenger (P): Required for buses; involves an extra written and skills test.
- School Bus (S): Required for school bus drivers; requires a background check and skills test.
- Tanker (N): Required for hauling liquids (like a water or fuel truck); written test only.
- Hazmat (H) Required for hauling Hazardous Material – with a Class B license, the vehicle must be a Class B vehicle.
- Hazmat (X) Includes Tanker (T) and Hazmat (N) endorsements. Required for hauling liquids and hazardous material.
?FMCSA-required course for Hazardous Materials endorsement. Teaches safety procedures, regulations, and secure handling of hazardous cargo.
1. Must have a Class A or B CDL. With a Class B license, you are restricted to Class B vehicles.
2. You must complete a specialized Hazmat Theory course from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
- Provided in THIS ONLINE COURSE enabled by Improv.
- It covers specialized topics like shipping papers, labeling, placarding, and emergency response.
- You must score at least 80% on the course assessment.
3. The TSA Threat Assessment (Background Check)
This is the "heavy lifting" part of a Hazmat endorsement. Because you’ll be hauling potentially dangerous materials, the federal government must vet you.
- Fingerprinting: You must schedule an appointment at a TSA IndentoGO center.
- Background Check: The TSA will review your criminal history and legal status.
4. The Knowledge Test
Once your ELDT completion is on file and your Transportation Security Administratrion (TSA) clearance is approved (the DMV will see this in their system):
- Go to the DMV and take the Hazmat written exam.
- Note: Unlike the Passenger or School Bus endorsements, there is no skills/road test required for Hazmat. It is a knowledge-only endorsement.
5. License Issuance
The DMV will print a new CDL for you with the "H" (Hazmat) or "X" (if you also have a Tanker endorsement) printed on it.
Key Restrictions to Remember
- Class B Limit: Even with a Hazmat endorsement, you are still restricted to Class B vehicles (straight trucks). You cannot drive a Class A tractor-trailer hauling hazmat unless you upgrade your entire license to Class A first.
- Recertification: Unlike your standard CDL, the Hazmat endorsement usually requires you to retake the background check and written test every 5 years (or sooner, depending on your state).
Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident to hold a Hazmat endorsement.
Required training for CDL drivers transporting liquid or gaseous materials in tank vehicles. Covers inspections, safety standards, and federal regulations.
Requirements are:
- Must have a Class A or B CDL.
- Take our Improv Online Tanker Endorsement Course (1 to 2 hours) Learn about “liquid surge, high center of gravity and baffled verses unbaffled tanks.
- Must have a course assessment score of 80% or better.
- Improv, our partner, will upload your score to the Federal Training Provider so that you can take your DMV test which you must pass with a score of about 80%.
- There is no road test.
ENROLL IN OUR FMSCA APPROVED ONLINE DRIVING THEORY COURSE HERE, SAVE MONEY ON THE COURSE, AND GET AN ADDITIONAL REFERRAL DISCOUNT on your Behind The Wheel Driving Course at Easy Affordable Truck Academy in Sacramento.
Required for drivers who transport 16+ passengers, including buses and shuttles. Focuses on safety, passenger interaction, and professional operation of large passenger vehicles.
(Entry-Level Driver Training) mandate, the process is strict:
1. Must have a Class A or B driver’s license to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.
2. ELDT Theory: Complete an approved passenger-specific classroom or online course WHICH WE PROVIDE HERE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH IMPROV.
- Requirement: You must pass OUR ONLINE COURSE assessment with a score of at least 80%. Our partner Improv will then upload your completion record to the federal database.
3. DMV Written Test: Pass the "Passenger" Endorsement knowledge exam at the DMV (usually 20 questions).
Note: If you are also adding a School Bus (S) endorsement, there is a separate written test for that as well.
Key Topics: Loading/unloading passengers, use of emergency exits, passenger management (including unruly passengers), and railroad crossing procedures.
4. Complete ELDT Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training. This is where you can get a referral discount by enrolling with the quality trucking school that we recommend: Easy Affordable Truck Academy. You’ll need to let us know when you’re ready to take the online Behind The Wheel Training so that we can provide your information to that trucking drivers school and get you that referral discount.
- Vehicle: You must practice driving a passenger-carrying vehicle (like a bus) with an instructor from a registered ELDT provider (Easy Affordable Truck Academy).
- Proficiency-Based: Unlike some states' past rules, there is no federal "minimum hour" training requirement, but you must demonstrate mastery of passenger-specific maneuvers (e.g., stopping at railroad crossings, curb-side loading) to your instructor.
- After completing the Behind The Wheel Training Course, your instructor uploads your BTW completion Certificate to the Training Provider Registry (TPR). The DMV cannot administer your road test until this is in the system.
5. Skills Test (Road Test)
- Road Test: You must take a supplemental road test in a passenger vehicle which the BTW driving school will provide.
- Pre-Trip Inspection: You will have to do a full inspection, specifically focusing on passenger items like emergency exits, seating, and interior lights.
- Driving Exam: You will be graded on your ability to handle the vehicle smoothly—specifically how you manage "the box" (the passenger area) during turns and braking. A road test must be in a passenger vehicle (bus) to prove you can handle the safety checks, loading/unloading, and emergency exits. Easy Affordable Truck Academy will provide the vehicle.
Crucial Warning: The "Size" Rule
The vehicle you use for your skills test (Step 5) determines what you are allowed to drive:- Testing in a small van: If you test in a 15 or less passenger van, you will be restricted to "Small Bus Only."
- Testing in a Class B Bus: This allows you to drive any bus (Transit, Motorcoach, etc.).
- Testing in a vehicle without Air Brakes: You will receive a restriction preventing you from driving any passenger vehicle equipped with air brakes (most Class B vehicles are).
Combined course meeting FMCSA requirements for both Hazmat (H) and Tanker (N) endorsements in one convenient program.
1. Must have a Class A or B CDL.
2. Theory Courses: OUR IMPROV ONLINE COURSES. ??? You must complete two separate endorsements modules: one for Hazmat and one for Tanker.
- Completion: Once you pass the provider's assessments (80% score), they will electronically transmit your results to the federal database. The DMV will check this before they let you touch a computer to test.
3. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)Threat Assessment (The Background Check)
You should start this early, as it can take 2 to 8 weeks to clear.
- Pre-Enroll: Apply online through the TSA Enrollment website.
- Fingerprinting: Schedule an appointment at a TSA IndentoGO center to provide fingerprints and identity documents (Passport or Birth Certificate).
- Approval: TSA will notify your state's DMV once you are cleared. (You usually won't get a paper letter; the DMV sees it in their system).
4. The DMV Written Exams Once your ELDT is on record and your TSA clearance is "In Progress" or "Approved" (depending on your state's specific rules), go to the DMV.
- Hazmat Test: A specialized written exam (usually 30 questions).
- Tanker Test: A separate written exam (usually 20 questions).
- Note: There is no road test required for the X endorsement itself. It is a knowledge-only upgrade.
5. Final Issuance
Pay Fees: Pay the state fee to update your physical license.
- The "X" Code: The DMV will remove any old "N" or "H" codes and replace them with a single "X" on your new hard-copy license.
Online Training Course required for drivers who operate school buses. Covers passenger safety, emergency procedures, student management, and federal/state compliance.
Requirements:
- Must have a Class A or B License for a bus designed for 16 or more passengers including the driver or a Commercial C License for a Small Bus or Van designed for 15 or fewer passengers including the driver.
- Background Check & Fingerprinting: School bus drivers undergo a more rigorous background check than standard truckers, often involving both Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI screenings.
- Preparation: You must complete two separate Online or Classroom Theory Training Courses from an FMCSA-approved provider: one for Passenger and one for School Bus, BOTH ARE IMPROV COURSES WHICH WE PROVIDE.
- A. Topics: Student management, loading/unloading, emergency evacuations, and railroad crossing safety.
- B. Requirement: Pass the online provider's assessment with a score of 80% or higher. Our provider will upload your completion to the federal registry.
- After taking the Online Passenger and School Bus Courses and passing the online course assessments you must take the Passenger, School Bus, and the Air Brake (if needed) exams at the DMV, which if you pass, provides you a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) with “S” and “P” markers.
- Once you’ve received your CLP, you can take a Behind The Wheel Course, preferably from Easy Affordable Truck to get Referral Discount. After completing the BTW Training, a completion certificate will be electronically sent to the Training Provider Registry (TPR) which can be confirmed by the DMV.
- 14 days after receiving your CLP and if, during that time, you've also completed the BTW training, you can take your BTW exam at the DMV.
- Skills Test: (The Road Test) You must perform a full skills test (Pre-trip, Basic Controls, and Road Drive) in a school bus.
Note: Even if you already have a Class A or B license, you must prove you can operate the specific safety features of a school bus, such as the loading lights, stop arms, and emergency exits which will be on your final test. - After passing the skills test, the DMV will process your application. You will pay the final fee and receive your CDL with the S and P endorsements.
Fleet-focused program using the SPIDER Method™ to reduce crashes, lower operating costs, and improve driver awareness, safety, and accountability. Help your drivers stay safe and reduce overhead due to collisions. Discounts for over 5 employees.