Vermont CDL Classes Explained
Which Vermont 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 Vermont CDL is valid nationwide. Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Vermont's dairy industry and specialty agriculture create steady demand for reefer and bulk CDL 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 Vermont
Class A is the license behind most of Vermont's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-89, I-91. With dairy and agriculture, maple and specialty food logistics, granite and stone driving demand, typical Vermont Class A work includes:
- Dairy and agriculture: livestock trailers and refrigerated meat loads to packers and markets
- Maple and specialty food logistics: regional and over-the-road distribution runs for grocery, retail, and e-commerce freight
- Granite and stone: dry-van and flatbed freight between manufacturers, suppliers, and distribution centers
- Tourism and ski resort supply: event, production, and resort supply freight
Apply, test, and schedule through Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Vermont 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 Vermont
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Vermont moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Vermont Class B work includes:
- Dairy and agriculture: feed and farm-service trucks (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Maple and specialty food logistics: local delivery straight trucks and last-mile box trucks
- Granite and stone: plant-to-warehouse straight trucks and local deliveries
- Tourism and ski resort supply: motorcoaches and tour buses (P endorsement)
Apply, test, and schedule through Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Vermont 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 Vermont
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Vermont that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Vermont Class C work includes:
- Dairy and agriculture: farm crew transport when the vehicle carries 16 or more passengers
- Maple and specialty food logistics: light HazMat delivery routes when the load requires placards
- Tourism and ski resort supply: hotel, airport, and resort shuttle vans (P endorsement)
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Vermont school districts (P and S endorsements)
Apply, test, and schedule through Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. Not sure this is your class? Use the Vermont 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.