CDL
Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Driving
| Stands for | Commercial driver's license |
|---|---|
| Categories | Transportation & Travel |
CDL stands for Commercial driver's license, a driving abbreviation.
US license required to drive large trucks, buses and hazardous-materials vehicles. Class A covers combinations with a gross combined weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more towing over 10,000 pounds, Class B covers heavy single vehicles, and Class C covers 16-plus passengers or placarded hazmat.
Example: Get your CDL and you can start driving for a regional freight company at $70,000 a year.
Usage notes
Created by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, which ended the practice of truck drivers holding licenses from several states. Endorsements add privileges: H (hazmat), N (tank), P (passenger), S (school bus), T (double and triple trailers) and X (tank plus hazmat). Interstate drivers must be at least 21. Since 2022 new applicants must complete federal entry-level driver training, and CDL holders face a 0.04 percent blood alcohol limit while driving commercially.
Related abbreviations
More driving abbreviations
- AADT – Annual average daily traffic
- ATV – All-terrain vehicle
- BI – Bodily injury liability
- BMV – Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- CAFE – Corporate Average Fuel Economy
- CLP – Commercial learner's permit
- CMV – Commercial motor vehicle
- CR – County Road
- CSA – Compliance, Safety, Accountability
- DDS – Department of Driver Services
- DL – Driver's license
- DMV – Department of Motor Vehicles