Colorado CDL Classes Explained
Which Colorado CDL class you need depends on vehicle weight, what it tows, and the type of operation, not just the truck size. The three classes are set by federal rule (49 CFR 383.91) and are the same in every state, so a Colorado CDL is valid nationwide. Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Colorado drivers navigate mountain grades and energy-sector hauls across the Rocky Mountain corridor.
A Class A CDL is generally used for combination vehicles, including tractor-trailers, when the gross combination weight rating is 26,001 pounds or more and the towed unit is over 10,000 pounds.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes if equipped
- Combination Vehicles
- Vehicle Inspection
- Basic Vehicle Control
- Road Test
Common Job Types
- Tractor-trailer driver
- Regional freight driver
- Heavy combination vehicle operator
- Class A delivery driver
Colorado Class A CDL
A Class A CDL is the most common CDL in the country and the license behind most of Colorado's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-25, I-70, I-76. With oil and gas field services, agriculture, ski resort and mountain freight driving demand, typical Colorado Class A CDL work includes:
- Oil and gas field services: crude, fuel, and chemical tankers (N and H endorsements) serving the energy sector
- Agriculture: refrigerated (reefer) loads of produce and food moving to distribution centers and out of state
- Ski resort and mountain freight: event, production, and resort supply freight
- Aerospace components: oversize aircraft sections and aerospace components on specialized flatbed and step-deck trailers
Apply, test, and schedule through Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Colorado CDL Selector.
A Class B CDL is generally used for a single commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, plus limited towing.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge
- Air Brakes if equipped
- Vehicle Inspection
- Basic Vehicle Control
- Road Test
Common Job Types
- Straight truck driver
- Dump truck driver
- Large bus driver
- Box truck driver
- Concrete mixer driver
Colorado Class B CDL
A Class B CDL covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Colorado moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Colorado Class B CDL work includes:
- Oil and gas field services: water trucks, vacuum trucks, and single-unit haulers on well sites and plants
- Agriculture: single-unit farm and packing-house trucks (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Ski resort and mountain freight: motorcoaches and tour buses (P endorsement)
- Aerospace components: straight trucks moving parts, tooling, and ground-support equipment between plants and airfields
Apply, test, and schedule through Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Colorado CDL Selector.
A Class C CDL may apply when the vehicle does not meet Class A or B weight definitions but is used for passengers, school bus operation, or placarded hazardous materials.
Knowledge Test Topics
- General Knowledge as required
- Passenger or School Bus endorsement if applicable
- HazMat endorsement if applicable
- State-specific requirements
Common Job Types
- Shuttle driver
- Small passenger vehicle driver
- School activity driver
- HazMat delivery driver
Colorado Class C CDL
A Class C CDL applies to lighter vehicles in Colorado that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Colorado Class C CDL work includes:
- Oil and gas field services: crew transport vans and light-duty HazMat deliveries to field sites
- Agriculture: farm crew transport when the vehicle carries 16 or more passengers
- Ski resort and mountain freight: hotel, airport, and resort shuttle vans (P endorsement)
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Colorado school districts (P and S endorsements)
Apply, test, and schedule through Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Colorado CDL Selector.
Not sure which class applies to you?
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and operation, and the CDL Selector gives you a starting point in under a minute.