Kansas CDL Classes Explained
Which Kansas 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 Kansas CDL is valid nationwide. Kansas Department of Revenue issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Kansas serves as a central corridor for agricultural and energy freight crossing the continental US.
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 Kansas
Class A is the license behind most of Kansas's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-35, I-70, I-135. With wheat and grain hauling, aviation manufacturing, beef and meat processing driving demand, typical Kansas Class A work includes:
- Wheat and grain hauling: grain hoppers running from elevators to processors and export terminals
- Aviation manufacturing: flatbed and step-deck loads of steel, lumber, and building materials
- Beef and meat processing: livestock trailers and refrigerated meat loads to packers and markets
- Energy equipment: crude, fuel, and chemical tankers (N and H endorsements) serving the energy sector
Apply, test, and schedule through Kansas Department of Revenue. Not sure this is your class? Use the Kansas 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 Kansas
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Kansas moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Kansas Class B work includes:
- Wheat and grain hauling: single-unit grain and feed trucks at harvest (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Aviation manufacturing: dump trucks, concrete mixers, and boom trucks on construction sites
- Beef and meat processing: feed and farm-service trucks (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Energy equipment: water trucks, vacuum trucks, and single-unit haulers on well sites and plants
Apply, test, and schedule through Kansas Department of Revenue. Not sure this is your class? Use the Kansas 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 Kansas
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Kansas that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Kansas Class C work includes:
- Beef and meat processing: farm crew transport when the vehicle carries 16 or more passengers
- Energy equipment: crew transport vans and light-duty HazMat deliveries to field sites
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Kansas school districts (P and S endorsements)
- Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers
Apply, test, and schedule through Kansas Department of Revenue. Not sure this is your class? Use the Kansas 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.