July 18, 2024 | Truck Accidents
The U.S. is home to an estimated 32 million commercial vehicles and 3.5 million fleets, all of which require skilled and experienced drivers to transport passengers, products, and even hazardous materials from point A to point B.
Before you can take on these kinds of jobs in a state like South Carolina, however, you’ll need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). That, in turn, requires that you learn how to safely operate commercial vehicles to avoid car accidents.
In any case, there are several different kinds of CDLs available. The following information will help you determine which is right for you.
Classes For Different Commercial Vehicles
There are three main classes of CDL: A, B, and C. These licenses, along with any additional endorsements you obtain, will determine the type of vehicles you can legally operate and (to a certain degree) the cargo you may carry.
The three CDL classes are discussed in more detail below:
Class A
As an inexperienced driver behind the wheel of a semi, you can cause some serious harm in a truck accident. As such, it’s critical that you seek out proper training and obtain a Class A license, as it will enable you to operate vehicles like flatbeds, tractor-trailers, tankers, and livestock conveyance.
With a Class A CDL, you are permitted to haul any combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) over 26,000 pounds, provided the vehicle being towed has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that exceeds 10,000 pounds.
Class B
A Class B CDL is a bit more restrictive than its Class A counterpart. Although it still permits you to drive vehicles with a GVWR over 26,000 pounds, it must be a single-unit vehicle or a combination vehicle with a towing weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
Vehicles that fall into that category include vehicles like buses and school buses, as well as tractor-trailers and straight trucks (like box trucks or dump trucks). To operate passenger vehicles designed to carry 16 or more people (including the driver), you will have to obtain an endorsement.
Class C
The third and final CDL class pertains specifically to single or combination vehicles that don’t fit into Class A or B license categories, provided they can carry 16 or more people or they have a hazmat placard. Such vehicles could include passenger buses, food trucks, straight trucks, garbage trucks, and cement mixers.
All three CDL classes allow you to operate a three-wheel vehicle, with the exception being a two-wheel motorcycle with a sidecar.
CDL Endorsements
You don’t have to obtain endorsements to expand the scope of your CDL, but there are several to consider that can enhance your job prospects and earning potential, such as:
- H – Hazardous Material
- N – Tanker
- P – Passenger Vehicle (16 or more people, including the driver)
- S – School Bus (requires P endorsement)
- T – Double or Triple Trailers
- X – Combination Hazmat/Tanker
Keep in mind that, like a personal license, a South Carolina CDL expires every eight years and must be renewed. The only exception is a CDL with a Hazmat (H) endorsement, which expires after five years.
Why You Need the Right CDL Class and Endorsements
Whether you’re pulled over for a moving violation or involved in an accident that causes a personal injury, having the proper CDL for the commercial vehicle you’re driving ensures compliance with the law.
Additionally, the right CDL will also increase your employability, prove your skill level, and even boost your earning potential. Jobs that require certain endorsements, for example, may pay more. With a Class A, B, or C license and suitable endorsements, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn a living from behind the wheel of a truck.
Contact a South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer at Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers Today
For more information, contact the Truck Accident law firm of Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Columbia
1333 Main St #510,
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 373-1706
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Lexington
5465 Sunset Blvd Suite B,
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 373-1302
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Orangeburg
161 Elliott St SE Suite B,
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 373-7593
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Blythewood
749-2 University Village Dr,
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 592-6553
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers – Columbiana Dr
380 Columbiana Dr
Columbia, SC 29212