If you’re considering a career in commercial trucking, one of your first decisions will be choosing between a Class A CDL and Class B CDL. While both licenses open doors to driving careers, they offer very different opportunities. At McKay’s Driving School, we help students understand these differences so they can make the best choice for their future.
Key Differences Between Class A and Class B CDLs
1. What You Can Drive
- Class A CDL: Allows you to operate combination vehicles with a gross weight of 26,001+ pounds (when towing trailers over 10,000 lbs). This includes:
- Semi-trucks (18-wheelers)
- Tractor-trailers
- Tanker trucks
- Flatbeds with heavy loads
- Most oversized loads
- Class B CDL: Permits operation of single vehicles over 26,001 pounds (without heavy trailers), including:
- Straight trucks
- Large buses
- Dump trucks
- Box trucks (like delivery trucks)
- Some smaller tow trucks
2. Career Opportunities & Earnings
- Class A CDL offers:
- More job options (long-haul, regional, local, specialized)
- Higher earning potential ($50,000-$100,000+ annually)
- Specialized opportunities (hazmat, tanker, oversized loads)
- Career growth into owner-operator roles
- Class B CDL typically means:
- Local driving jobs (delivery, construction, passenger transport)
- Lower salary range ($35,000-$60,000 average)
- Limited to specific vehicle types
- Less flexibility for career advancement
3. Training Requirements
While both require written exams and skills tests, Class A CDL training is more comprehensive because:
- You must learn to handle trailer combinations
- Backing maneuvers are more complex
- You’ll train for various road conditions
- Additional endorsements open more doors
At McKay’s Driving School, our Class A CDL program prepares you for all these challenges with hands-on training from experienced instructors.
Why Class A CDL Offers More Opportunities
- Greater Versatility – A Class A license lets you drive almost all commercial vehicles (including Class B vehicles)
- Higher Demand – Trucking companies consistently need Class A drivers
- Better Benefits – Many OTR (over-the-road) positions offer health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses
- Specialization Options – With endorsements, you can haul:
- Hazardous materials (hazmat)
- Tanker trucks
- Doubles/triples
- Passenger buses
When a Class B CDL Might Be Enough
Consider Class B if you:
- Only want local delivery or construction jobs
- Prefer daily home time (no overnight routes)
- Don’t want to handle large trailers
- Need quicker certification (typically less training time)
Ready to Choose? McKay’s Can Help!
Still unsure which CDL is right for you? Our advisors at McKay’s Driving School can assess your goals and recommend the best path. For most students seeking the best career potential, we recommend starting with a Class A CDL.
📞 Contact McKay’s Driving School today at 754-245-3550 or visit https://mckaysdrivingschool.com/class-a-cdl/ to start your trucking career!