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Commercial Driver License

Missouri CDL Classes Explained

Which Missouri 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 Missouri CDL is valid nationwide. Missouri Department of Revenue issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Missouri's central location makes it a critical cross-country freight junction connecting all four US quadrants.

A Class A Tractor-trailers & combinations › B Class B Straight trucks & heavy buses › C Class C Passenger, school bus & HazMat
A
Highest Authority

Class A CDL

🚛 GCWR 26,001 lbs+ with towed unit over 10,000 lbs
Most Common

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 Missouri

Class A is the license behind most of Missouri's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-44, I-55, I-70, I-29. With agriculture and grain, automotive assembly, beer and beverage distribution driving demand, typical Missouri Class A work includes:

  • Agriculture and grain: grain hoppers running from elevators to processors and export terminals
  • Automotive assembly: just-in-time parts hauling between assembly plants and suppliers
  • Beer and beverage distribution: regional and over-the-road distribution runs for grocery, retail, and e-commerce freight
  • Aerospace components: flatbed and step-deck loads of steel, lumber, and building materials

Apply, test, and schedule through Missouri Department of Revenue. Not sure this is your class? Use the Missouri CDL Selector.

Study for Missouri Class A CDL → Find My CDL Class
B
Single Heavy Vehicle

Class B CDL

🚚 GVWR 26,001 lbs+, limited towing

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 Missouri

Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Missouri moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Missouri Class B work includes:

  • Agriculture and grain: single-unit grain and feed trucks at harvest (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
  • Automotive assembly: straight-truck parts delivery on local routes
  • Beer and beverage distribution: local delivery straight trucks and last-mile box trucks
  • Aerospace components: dump trucks, concrete mixers, and boom trucks on construction sites

Apply, test, and schedule through Missouri Department of Revenue. Not sure this is your class? Use the Missouri CDL Selector.

Study for Missouri Class B CDL → Find My CDL Class
C
Passenger, School Bus & HazMat

Class C CDL

🚌 Below Class A/B threshold, special operation

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 Missouri

Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Missouri that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Missouri Class C work includes:

  • Beer and beverage distribution: light HazMat delivery routes when the load requires placards
  • Smaller school buses and activity buses for Missouri school districts (P and S endorsements)
  • Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers

Apply, test, and schedule through Missouri Department of Revenue. Not sure this is your class? Use the Missouri CDL Selector.

Study for Missouri Class C CDL → Find My CDL Class

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.

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