Malcolm L. MacGregor | September 30, 2025 | Truck Accidents

Types of Commercial Driver’s Licenses in Pennsylvania

If you operate large or specialized vehicles in Pennsylvania, you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). However, not all CDLs are the same. The state issues different classes of CDLs depending on the type of vehicle, weight, and cargo. Knowing the types of commercial driver’s licenses in Pennsylvania can help you understand which one applies to your situation, whether you are driving for work, training, or planning to operate a commercial vehicle.

CDL Class A in Pennsylvania

A Class A CDL is the highest level and allows you to drive the largest vehicles. It is required when operating any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the vehicle being towed is heavier than 10,000 pounds.

With a Class A CDL, you may drive:

  • Tractor-trailers
  • Truck and trailer combinations
  • Flatbeds
  • Livestock carriers

Class A drivers often transport goods across state lines or carry heavy freight. This license gives the broadest range of driving privileges in Pennsylvania.

CDL Class B in Pennsylvania

A Class B CDL covers single vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or a vehicle towing another that weighs less than 10,000 pounds.

Common vehicles for Class B drivers include:

  • Straight trucks
  • Box trucks (such as delivery trucks)
  • Dump trucks with small trailers
  • Large buses, including city, tourist, or school buses

Class B licenses are popular for drivers who stay within Pennsylvania rather than making long-haul trips across multiple states.

CDL Class C in Pennsylvania

A Class C CDL applies to smaller vehicles that don’t fall under Class A or B but still require special training. This includes vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or those transporting hazardous materials.

With a Class C CDL, drivers may operate:

  • Passenger vans
  • Small hazmat vehicles
  • Combination vehicles that don’t meet Class A or B definitions

This license is more specialized and often tied to jobs involving passenger transport or the handling of sensitive cargo.

CDL Endorsements in Pennsylvania

In addition to CDL classes, drivers may need endorsements to handle certain vehicles or cargo. Pennsylvania recognizes several endorsements that expand what you can legally drive.

Examples include:

  • H endorsement: Allows the transport of hazardous materials (hazmat)
  • N endorsement: Permits driving tank vehicles
  • P endorsement: Required for carrying passengers
  • S endorsement: Required for operating a school bus
  • T endorsement: Allows operation of double or triple trailers

Each endorsement requires passing additional written tests, and some, like the hazmat endorsement, also require background checks. These qualifications can affect job opportunities and earning potential.

Requirements for Getting a CDL in Pennsylvania

To apply for a CDL in Pennsylvania, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old to drive within Pennsylvania (21 for interstate or hazardous materials)
  • Hold a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license
  • Pass knowledge and skills tests
  • Meet medical requirements, including submitting a Medical Examiner’s Certificate

Applicants start with a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) before moving on to a full CDL after testing. The requirements are designed to ensure drivers are trained and capable of handling the responsibilities of commercial driving.

Contact the Scranton Truck Accident Lawyers at McDonald & MacGregor, LLC for Help Today

CDLs are required for most large trucks in Pennsylvania. However, there are various types of commercial driver’s licenses, including Class A, B, and C CDLs. Each type has unique privileges based on vehicle size, weight, and use. 

If you’ve been in a car accident, McDonald & MacGregor, LLC is here to help. You deserve justice if a truck driver without a CDL caused you injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Scranton truck accident attorney.

Schedule a free case evaluation with our team today. We proudly serve Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Luzerne County, Lackawanna County, and surrounding areas.

McDonald & MacGregor, LLC
220 Penn Ave Suite 320, Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 209-7062