Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers | February 17, 2025 | Truck Accidents
Federal law requires individuals to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate large trucks. Driving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tankers, and other commercial trucks requires skills, knowledge, and training not required to operate passenger vehicles. States may have additional requirements but must meet the federal requirements for CDLs.
The purpose of requiring CDLs is to ensure truck drivers have the experience to operate a large truck to protect everyone on the road. Large truck accidents result in devastating and life-altering injuries for accident victims. Unfortunately, federal and state rules for commercial driver’s licenses do not prevent all large truck accidents.
What Types of Commercial Driver’s Licenses Are Available in Indiana?
There are three types of commercial driver’s licenses in Indiana. The class you choose for your CDL determines the types of commercial vehicles you can operate. Commercial vehicles are divided into three categories:
Class A Indiana Commercial Driver’s License
A Class A CDL allows you to drive the largest and heaviest trucks. Vehicles requiring a Class A CDL include tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, flatbeds, livestock carriers, and tanker trucks. This CDL allows you to operate a single vehicle or a combination of vehicles with a gross weight combination rating (GWCR) of 26,001 pounds or more. A towed vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) can exceed 10,000 pounds if you have a Class A CDL.
Class B Indiana Commercial Driver’s License
Class B CDLs cover some larger trucks, but the weight limit for towing vehicles is less than Class A. Examples of vehicles requiring a Class B CDL include school buses, straight trucks, box trucks, delivery trucks, and dump trucks.
A Class B CDL allows you to drive a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. If you are driving a combination of vehicles, the vehicle being towed cannot have a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds.
Class C Indiana Commercial Driver’s License
Class C CDLs apply to vehicles that do not fall into Class A or Class B categories. A Class C CDL allows you to drive a single or combination of vehicles with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds. Class C vehicles include passenger vans, vehicles that can transport 16 or fewer passengers (including the driver), and small HazMat vehicles.
Commercial Truck Endorsements in Indiana
Truck drivers may apply for endorsements to their CDLs. The CDL endorsements allow them to drive additional commercial vehicles or haul specific loads. CDL endorsements include:
- T – Operate double and triple trailers
- N – Operate a tanker truck
- H – Transport hazardous materials
- P – Drive vehicles transporting passengers
- X – Operate a tank vehicle transporting hazardous materials
- S – Operate a school bus
Most of the endorsements require drivers to take additional knowledge tests. However, some endorsements require drivers to pass knowledge and skills tests.
How Do You Qualify for an Indiana Commercial Driver’s License?
The steps to obtain an Indiana CDL include:
- Watch an instructional video about how to recognize, prevent, and report human trafficking.
- Provide a valid Medical Examination Report and Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
- Obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) by passing a written test (i.e., knowledge test).
- Complete Entry-Level Driver Training as required by the FMCSA. This step is required if your CLP was issued on or after February 7, 2022, and this is the first time applying for a commercial driver’s license. You must have your CLP for at least 14 days before attempting the CDL skills examination.
- Pass a knowledge and skills test for the applicable CDL you wish to receive. The skills test must be taken from an authorized examination site in a vehicle representing the class of the CDL you wish to receive.
You must be 18 years old or older and have a valid Indiana driver’s license for one year or longer to apply for a commercial driver’s license. Applicants must prove their legal status in the United States and as a resident of Indiana. You must also have a clean driving history.
Get Help With an Indiana Commercial Truck Accident
You deserve to receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. However, trucking companies and their insurance providers aggressively fight claims. At Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers, our Indianapolis truck accident lawyers fight back to protect our client’s rights. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you after a truck accident.
Contact our Indianapolis Truck Accidents Lawyers from Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana, today.
We proudly serve Marion County and its surrounding areas.
Rob King & Associates, Trial Lawyers – Indianapolis Office
22 E Washington St #310
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 916-0000
