Learn how to qualify for a Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), the types of vehicles you can drive, and the jobs that keep you close to home with reliable pay and hours.
Key Takeaways:
- A CDL B license opens local driving opportunities. You can operate large single vehicles like school buses, dump trucks, and delivery trucks—without the long-haul lifestyle of Class A drivers.
- Training is short and accessible. Most CDL B programs take just two to four weeks and prepare you for both the written and behind-the-wheel exams.
- You’ll need a clean record and medical clearance. Applicants must meet FMCSA safety standards, pass a DOT physical, and hold a valid driver’s license and Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP).
- Career flexibility is high. CDL B drivers can find steady jobs in municipal services, passenger transport, local delivery, or private fleets—many offering 9–5 schedules.
- It’s a future-proof choice. With automation threatening white-collar roles, commercial driving remains a hands-on, human-centered career with strong demand and stability.
With AI on the rise and a wave of layoffs sweeping corporate America, many people living within the United States are considering alternative career options that future-proof their earnings and set them up to do work only humans can do. If you’re looking to transition to more in-person work, commercial driving can be an excellent pathway to stability and long-term success.
Many people associate commercial vehicle operation with the rigors and hours of long-haul trucking, but there’s another path to working as a commercial driver: a Class B CDL License. License holders are able to drive trucks and other types of commercial motor vehicles, while still staying close to home and sticking to a more typical 9–5 schedule.
In this article we’ll review how to get a CDL B License, including all the information you’ll need about training, requirements, job types you’ll qualify for, and more.
What is a CDL B License, and what can you do with it?
Short for Commercial Driver’s License Class B, a Class B CDL qualifies you to operate any single vehicle with a total weight (or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating—GVWR) of over 26,001 pounds, or other combinations of vehicles that don’t meet the specifications for Class A categorization. While this means you can’t drive long-haul vehicles like flatbeds, livestock carriers, or tanker trucks, a CDL B license does allow you to pursue a wide array of other possibilities that can keep you closer to home.
A Class B CDL qualifies you to drive any single vehicle towing a trailer that weighs less than 10,000 pounds or operate 3-axle vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds. With additional CDL endorsements, CDL holders with a Class B certification can drive school buses, box trucks, passenger buses (including city buses and tour buses), and farm labor vehicles.
When you complete Class B CDL training, you may be qualified to drive vehicle types including local delivery trucks, passenger buses, municipal vehicles, dump trucks, and more. Unlike long-haul truckers, people who operate this type of vehicle often work a more typical 9–5 schedule. This means you can operate your vehicle while spending fewer hours away from home, staying within your region while still commanding a solid wage.
Class B license holders also enjoy a high degree of career flexibility. They can work as a commercial driver in a wide variety of capacities, meaning their skills are always in demand, with many options for careers that suit your schedule and interests. This type of license is ideal for anyone who wants to work as a commercial driver but maintain their daily family and social routine.
Requirements specific to CDL B licenses
Just like your ordinary driver’s license, there are specific requirements for obtaining a CDL and becoming a commercial driver. Drivers over the age of 18 are able to get a Class B CDL for intrastate, or within the state, driving in most states. These drivers may be able to drive a school bus, depending on their district’s requirements.
Drivers interested in operating trucks and other Class B vehicles across state lines must be over the age of 21. Whether you’re interested in interstate or intrastate driving, you must meet commercial driving standards and have a driving record that qualifies you for this CDL B certification. You can’t have major offenses on your record, including DUIs or cases of using a vehicle in a felony or leaving the scene of an accident.
Employers and some states may also have their own requirements for those operating their trucks or school buses. These might include a record clear of major accidents or moving violations in the past year, no more than three moving violations in the past three years, and no recent license suspensions.
Before you get your CDL B, you’ll need to have a valid state driver’s license and a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) for your Class B license. You’ll also have to complete a DOT physical to get a medical examiner’s certificate that ensures you meet the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards to safely drive a commercial vehicle.
Coursework and training for your CDL B
To complete your CDL training you’ll need to complete a few coursework and training requirements. CDL training is similar to entry-level driver training in that both require a skills test in addition to behind-the-wheel training, but the information on your CDL skills test will specifically focus on the knowledge you need to safely operate a larger commercial vehicle.
The CDL B knowledge test is delivered in a 50-question multiple-choice format. A passing score of this segment of the test is 80%, and all questions are taken from the driver’s handbook. Additional tests are offered for supplemental endorsements, such as P (passenger), S (school bus), and T (double/triple trailers); these tests are optional and you should only pursue them if they are aligned with your career goals. Depending on the Class B endorsement you are pursuing, these additional tests may quiz your knowledge of air brakes, passengers, or hazardous materials.
In addition to your test, you’ll need to complete behind-the-wheel training. This includes mastering the driving techniques you’ll need for your CDL Class B certification, like operating straight trucks, making wide turns, backing up, city driving, and passenger or cargo safety, depending on the specific endorsements you’re seeking to master.
Lastly, there’s the skill test, which consists of pre-trip inspection of a single vehicle, as well as on-road driving in urban/suburban context. You’ll be asked to walk around the vehicle and physically point to various equipment or safety features and name their purpose before completing a Basic Vehicle Control (BCS) skill test. This includes timed exercises like straight-line backing and parallel parking. Last is the road skills test, where you will be asked to demonstrate your ability to safely and legally operate a large vehicle in the type of situations you might encounter in daily driving.
How to complete the CDL B process
To earn your CDL B, you will need to follow these steps:
- Get your CLP, or CDL learner’s permit. To obtain your permit, you must get a medical examiner’s certificate, fill out the CDL application, gather proof of your identity, residency, and social security number, and pass written tests that often include general knowledge and air brake exams.
- Attend CDL B training. These programs typically cover classroom instruction covering Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), vehicle systems, safety fundamentals, and driver qualification, as well as hands-on experience practicing both driving and inspection skills, and additional skills requirements.
- Pass skills tests as outlined above.
- Get your license and start your new career as a CDL B-qualified driver.
There are multiple options for CDL B training. These programs are typically shorter than Class A CDL training, lasting between two and four weeks. Because costs vary between programs, consider factors including the tuition rate, tools you’ll need to buy to complete the coursework, and the cost of any time away from work that might be needed.
Some training programs also offer job placement to graduates once they’ve completed their licensing requirements. This could include partnerships with local service fleets, municipal transit, school bus driving, or commercial delivery operations. If you have a particular kind of driving in mind for your new career, it’s worth making sure that your training program has partnerships or connections in the areas relevant to the driving you want to do.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: a CDL A or a CDL B?
Which class of commercial license makes the most sense for you will vary based on your personal goals. You can make good money with both types of licenses, but with Class B you’ll be able to stay closer to home and work more regular hours. Class A certification is a good fit for those interested in travel and exploring the open road as a long-haul trucker.
Can I upgrade from CDL B to CDL A later?
Yes, although most states will require additional training and testing. You will likely have to pass a written knowledge test and pass a road skills test for combination vehicles. You may also have to complete relevant Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).
What endorsements are common for CDL B holders and how do they impact pay?
Common endorsements for CDL B holders include Passenger (P), School Bus (S), Tanker (N), Hazardous Materials (H), and Tanker and Hazardous Materials (X). H/N/X endorsements typically come with the biggest pay bump, due to the significant risk and liability associated with transporting these materials. P/S endorsements can also increase pay, as these endorsements are required for school bus driving jobs.
Next steps for earning your CDL B license
If you’re ready to take the next steps toward obtaining a CDL B, start by researching local training providers for CDL B in your state.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
Consider the job types you’re most interested in, and choose your training accordingly. For example, if you’re interested in becoming a school bus driver, you should look for a program with job placement connections with local school districts. If you’re interested in driving a delivery truck, a program with placement connections in a local fleet would be a better fit.
You should also begin gathering all your required documents, including an ID and medical certificate, so you’re prepared for the permit test. Having these materials in hand will make it easier to get certified once your training begins.
With so many careers at risk of being overtaken by AI, getting your CDL B license is a smart way to invest in your future and build security for years to come.
