Louisiana CDL Classes Explained
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana CDL is valid nationwide. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Louisiana's Gulf Coast ports and petrochemical corridor generate heavy demand for tanker and HazMat-endorsed drivers.
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 Louisiana
Class A is the license behind most of Louisiana's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-10, I-20, I-49. With petrochemical and tanker transport, port and marine freight, natural gas and pipeline driving demand, typical Louisiana Class A work includes:
- Petrochemical and tanker transport: crude, fuel, and chemical tankers (N and H endorsements) serving the energy sector
- Port and marine freight: container drayage between the ports and inland rail yards
- Agriculture and seafood: refrigerated (reefer) loads of produce and food moving to distribution centers and out of state
Apply, test, and schedule through Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Louisiana moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Louisiana Class B work includes:
- Petrochemical and tanker transport: water trucks, vacuum trucks, and single-unit haulers on well sites and plants
- Port and marine freight: yard trucks and local box trucks serving the port terminals
- Agriculture and seafood: single-unit farm and packing-house trucks (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Transit and school districts: city buses and full-size school buses across Louisiana (P and S endorsements)
Apply, test, and schedule through Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Louisiana that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Louisiana Class C work includes:
- Petrochemical and tanker transport: crew transport vans and light-duty HazMat deliveries to field sites
- Agriculture and seafood: farm crew transport when the vehicle carries 16 or more passengers
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Louisiana school districts (P and S endorsements)
- Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers
Apply, test, and schedule through Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Louisiana 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.