How many Americans have a CDL license?

How Many Americans Have a CDL License? A Comprehensive Analysis

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that, as of 2019, more than 10 million American citizens held a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), which is a significant indicator of the importance of this industry in the United States’ economy.

What Type of Licenses are Usually Issued?

Despite the varied types of vehicles and requirements, most common CDL licenses issued fall under Class A or Class B categories, which respectively cover:

1. Class A: requires a combination vehicle with two or more attachment units; a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) exceeding 26,011 lbs (11.8 metric tons); tractor-trailer combinations, 18-wheeler configurations, tanker trucks, oversized haulage, and semi-trailer trucks.
2. Class B: medium-duty trucks: straight truck, delivery or service vans, school or transit buses, shuttle coaches, large recreational vehicles with trailers.
3. Specialized Types:, such as Hazmat Permits (HAZ) for transport of hazardous chemicals, or Tanker Authority (T) for trucks carrying fuel, oil products, chemicals, or even liquids under pressure.
4. Exceptions:. CDLs are subject to local regulations and enforcement; jurisdictions may have lower or additional requirements, whereas others grant exemptions for older or lower-weight vehicles;