Iowa CDL Classes Explained
Which Iowa 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 Iowa CDL is valid nationwide. Iowa Department of Transportation issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Iowa is a leading agricultural freight state with high demand for grain hopper and reefer operators.
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 Iowa
Class A is the license behind most of Iowa's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-35, I-80, I-380. With grain and agribusiness, pork and food processing, wind energy equipment driving demand, typical Iowa Class A work includes:
- Grain and agribusiness: grain hoppers running from elevators to processors and export terminals
- Pork and food processing: livestock trailers and refrigerated meat loads to packers and markets
- Wind energy equipment: oversize wind-turbine blade and tower transport
- Farm machinery: flatbed and step-deck loads of steel, lumber, and building materials
Apply, test, and schedule through Iowa Department of Transportation. Not sure this is your class? Use the Iowa 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 Iowa
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Iowa moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Iowa Class B work includes:
- Grain and agribusiness: single-unit grain and feed trucks at harvest (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Pork and food processing: feed and farm-service trucks (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Wind energy equipment: crane support and component trucks at wind sites
- Farm machinery: dump trucks, concrete mixers, and boom trucks on construction sites
Apply, test, and schedule through Iowa Department of Transportation. Not sure this is your class? Use the Iowa 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 Iowa
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Iowa that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Iowa Class C work includes:
- Pork and food processing: farm crew transport when the vehicle carries 16 or more passengers
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Iowa school districts (P and S endorsements)
- Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers
Apply, test, and schedule through Iowa Department of Transportation. Not sure this is your class? Use the Iowa 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.