Overview

Upgrade prep for Class B CDL holders moving to Class A, including combination vehicles, coupling, air brakes, and HOS theory.

Class B to Class A Upgrade Program for Delaware CDL Applicants

Delaware handles heavy chemical and pharmaceutical freight along the busy I-95 Northeast corridor. With chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, port and container freight, food distribution driving much of the freight in Delaware, the Class B to Class A Upgrade Program material below is the part of the Delaware CDL that those employers screen for first.

The Delaware Class B to A upgrade: Combination Vehicles and Air Brakes knowledge tests at Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, then a Class A skills test. Since February 2022, ELDT theory and behind-the-wheel training must also be logged with an FMCSA-registered provider before Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles will schedule the test.

Where Delaware drivers use this

  • Food distribution: regional and over-the-road tractor-trailer distribution runs
  • Automotive parts: just-in-time parts loads between assembly plants and suppliers
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing: dump trucks, mixers, and flatbed tractors on construction routes
  • Automotive parts: the tractors and straight trucks on every plant route
  • Almost every Class A and Class B vehicle in Delaware; skip this test and your CDL carries an L restriction

Most Delaware CDL work runs the I-95, I-295 corridors and the Dover area, so the examples in the practice questions lean on the vehicles and loads you will see there.

Delaware rules worth knowing

  • Delaware DMV states its CDL manual covers CDL requirements, CDL procedures, testing requirements, and basic knowledge needed to obtain a CDL.
  • Delaware DMV notes CDL renewals may only be completed within 30 days before expiration.
  • Delaware began implementing the modernized CDL skills test at DMV locations on February 26, 2025.
  • Delaware describes Class A by combination registered, actual, or GVWR over 26,000 pounds while towing a vehicle with registered, actual, or GVWR over 10,000 pounds.

Testing, appointments, and fees are handled by Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. See the Delaware CDL classes and Delaware endorsements pages for the full licensing picture.

Common Delaware questions

Is this Class B to Class A Upgrade Program material specific to Delaware?
Yes. The knowledge test content is federal (49 CFR 383), so the questions apply in Delaware, and this page adds Delaware details: where you test (Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles), which Delaware industries use this license, and the Delaware corridors the examples are drawn from.
Where do I take the Class B to Class A Upgrade Program knowledge test in Delaware?
Knowledge tests are given by Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. Bring your Delaware driver license, proof of residency, and your medical certificate; most Delaware offices require an appointment for CDL testing.
How long do I have to study the Delaware Class B to Class A Upgrade Program material?
Access lasts 120 days from purchase, which is enough to study, take the practice tests, and pass at Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles with time to spare. Retakes in Delaware are allowed after a short wait, so a second attempt is covered too.

When Is This Useful?

Helps drivers expand from heavy single vehicles into tractor-trailers and other combination vehicle work.

Who Is This For?

Current Class B CDL holders who need Class A authority for new job duties or equipment assignments.

Topics Covered

Combination Vehicle Dynamics

Upgrading from Class B to Class A means operating vehicles with fundamentally different handling. Off-tracking, rearward amplification, and trailer swing all require new driving habits. The Combination Vehicles written test focuses on these differences compared to single heavy vehicles.

Coupling and Uncoupling Procedure

Correctly connecting a tractor to a trailer is a critical Class A skill tested both on the written exam and during the skills test. This module covers the exact coupling sequence that examiners expect to observe during the pre-trip exercise.

Air Line Connections

Class A combination vehicles use service and emergency air lines between the tractor and trailer that Class B drivers have not typically operated. You will learn how to connect them correctly, perform pressure checks, and identify warning signs of failure.

Trailer and Coupling Inspection

Adding a trailer to your pre-trip inspection means covering the coupling area, fifth wheel, air connections, trailer brakes, and landing gear in sequence. The Class A skills test expects you to demonstrate all of these additional inspection points.

Class A Test Readiness

The Class A upgrade requires passing the Combination Vehicles written knowledge test plus completing a new skills test on a Class A vehicle. This section prepares you for the content differences, scoring criteria, and what Class A evaluators assess differently from Class B.

Class B to Class A Upgrade Program

$37.95

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What's Included:

  • Combination Vehicles
  • Air Brakes
  • Class B to A Upgrade Theory