What is a CDL License?

A commercial Driver’s License (CDL) shows future employers that you are a certified, competent and professional truck trucker. Certain commercial motor vehicles require specialized skills and knowledge. Prior to implementation of the national Commercial Driver’s License Program, anyone with a license to drive a car could also legally drive a tractor-trailer or a bus in many states. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was signed into law on October 27, 1986. The goal of the Act is to improve highway safety by ensuring that drivers of large trucks and buses are qualified to operate the vehicles and to remove unsafe and unqualified drivers from the highways.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has developed and issued standards for testing and licensing commercial motor vehicle drivers. Among other things, the standards require states to issue a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to a motor vehicle driver only after the driver passes knowledge and skills tests administered by the state (DMV in California) related to the type of vehicle to be operated. Drivers need a CDL license if they are in interstate, intrastate or foreign commerce.