Indiana CDL Classes Explained
Which Indiana 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 Indiana CDL is valid nationwide. Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Indiana sits at the crossroads of major Midwest freight lanes supporting automotive and manufacturing supply chains.
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 Indiana
Class A is the license behind most of Indiana's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-65, I-70, I-74, I-94. With automotive manufacturing, steel and metals, pharmaceutical distribution driving demand, typical Indiana Class A work includes:
- Automotive manufacturing: just-in-time parts hauling between assembly plants and suppliers
- Steel and metals: flatbed and step-deck loads of steel, lumber, and building materials
- Pharmaceutical distribution: regional and over-the-road distribution runs for grocery, retail, and e-commerce freight
Apply, test, and schedule through Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Indiana 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 Indiana
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Indiana moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Indiana Class B work includes:
- Automotive manufacturing: straight-truck parts delivery on local routes
- Steel and metals: dump trucks, concrete mixers, and boom trucks on construction sites
- Pharmaceutical distribution: local delivery straight trucks and last-mile box trucks
- Transit and school districts: city buses and full-size school buses across Indiana (P and S endorsements)
Apply, test, and schedule through Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Indiana 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 Indiana
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Indiana that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Indiana Class C work includes:
- Pharmaceutical distribution: light HazMat delivery routes when the load requires placards
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Indiana school districts (P and S endorsements)
- Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers
Apply, test, and schedule through Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Indiana 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.