Wisconsin CDL Classes Explained
Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin CDL is valid nationwide. Wisconsin Department of Transportation issues the license and runs the knowledge and skills tests. Wisconsin's dairy economy and paper industry anchor a robust CDL freight market across the Upper Midwest.
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 Wisconsin
Class A is the license behind most of Wisconsin's long-haul and heavy freight, much of it moving on I-39, I-43, I-90, I-94. With dairy and food processing, paper and printing, automotive parts driving demand, typical Wisconsin Class A work includes:
- Dairy and food processing: livestock trailers and refrigerated meat loads to packers and markets
- Paper and printing: flatbed and step-deck loads of steel, lumber, and building materials
- Automotive parts: just-in-time parts hauling between assembly plants and suppliers
Apply, test, and schedule through Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Not sure this is your class? Use the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Class B covers the single heavy vehicles that keep Wisconsin moving locally: no tractor-trailer, but everything from dump trucks to full-size buses. Typical Wisconsin Class B work includes:
- Dairy and food processing: feed and farm-service trucks (many states offer a restricted farm CDL)
- Paper and printing: dump trucks, concrete mixers, and boom trucks on construction sites
- Automotive parts: straight-truck parts delivery on local routes
- Transit and school districts: city buses and full-size school buses across Wisconsin (P and S endorsements)
Apply, test, and schedule through Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Not sure this is your class? Use the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Class C applies to lighter vehicles in Wisconsin that still need a CDL because of what they carry: 16 or more passengers, or placarded hazardous materials. Typical Wisconsin Class C work includes:
- Dairy and food processing: farm crew transport when the vehicle carries 16 or more passengers
- Smaller school buses and activity buses for Wisconsin school districts (P and S endorsements)
- Shuttle, paratransit, and church or community vans built for 16 or more passengers
Apply, test, and schedule through Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Not sure this is your class? Use the Wisconsin 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.