Illinois CDL Classes Explained
Which Illinois 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 Illinois CDL is valid nationwide. Illinois Secretary of State issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Illinois is the nation's central freight hub, with Chicago serving as the busiest rail and trucking interchange in North America.
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
Class A CDL in Illinois
Class A is the license behind most of Illinois's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-55, I-80, I-90, I-94. With rail and intermodal freight, grain and agriculture, steel and metals driving demand, typical Illinois Class A work includes:
- Rail and intermodal freight: container drayage between the ports and inland rail yards
- Grain and agriculture: grain hoppers running from elevators to processors and export terminals
- Steel and metals: flatbed and step-deck loads of steel, lumber, and building materials
- Retail distribution: regional and over-the-road distribution runs for grocery, retail, and e-commerce freight
Apply, test, and schedule through Illinois Secretary of State. Not sure this is your class? Use the Illinois 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
Class B CDL in Illinois
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Illinois moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Illinois Class B work includes:
- Rail and intermodal freight: yard trucks and local box trucks serving the port terminals
- Grain and agriculture: single-unit grain and feed trucks at harvest (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Steel and metals: dump trucks, concrete mixers, and boom trucks on construction sites
- Retail distribution: local delivery straight trucks and last-mile box trucks
Apply, test, and schedule through Illinois Secretary of State. Not sure this is your class? Use the Illinois 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
Class C CDL in Illinois
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Illinois that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Illinois Class C work includes:
- Retail distribution: light HazMat delivery routes when the load requires placards
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Illinois school districts (P and S endorsements)
- Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers
Apply, test, and schedule through Illinois Secretary of State. Not sure this is your class? Use the Illinois 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.