Class a cdl definitions?

Question

im looking for the definition of a class a cdl. can i drive a class b and class c vehicle with my class a cdl? do i need a air brake endorsement? or is it included with the class a cdl i already have? thankyou

Answer 1

Here is a web site for the CDL law for Ohio. All states are guided by federal law as far as a CDL is concerned. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4506.12 A class A is the top class and with it you can drive any class vehicle below it provided you have any required endorsements like a passenger endorsement. You have to take the air brake test and it isn't included in the class A CDL. About all semis have air brakes. I came across a pick up pulling a large trailer and the combined gross vehicle weight rating was over 26,001 pounds and he was supposed to have a class A CDL. I gave him a warning since he didn't know. That was the only case I can think of that didn't require the air brake endorsement.

Answer 2

A Class A CDL authorizes the operation of any vehicle or combination of vehicles, except the person may not operate any vehicle for which a specific endorsement is required unless the person obtains that endorsement.

Answer 3

In Washington, if you have a valid CDL license without the letter "K" on it, you have your Air Brake Endorsement.  If you have the letter "K", then you are not legal to drive a vehicle equipped with Air Brakes.

If you have a Class "A" CDL, you are legal to drive everything but a Passenger vehicle (unless you have that endorsement as well).  Class "A" will include Class "B" and Class "C" vehicles.

It sounds like someone at WorkSource needs a refresher course on which letter means what on a CDL License.

Good luck