Anyone driving a motor vehicle on the road is legally required to possess a driver’s license. A driver’s license will confirm that you are a fit and can drive a vehicle in a particular class.
A commercial driver’s license will allow individuals to drive commercial vehicles meaning vehicles for work purposes, non-commercial driver’s license holders will only be able to drive private vehicles with a few exceptions.
In order to receive either form of license, you apply with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. The requirements for a CDL and non-CDL license vary from state to state.
CDL License
CDL licenses allow you to drive vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,001 lbs. CDL licenses can have endorsements that allow the transport of 15 or more passengers, hazardous materials, trucks with tankers and trucks with double or triple trailers. You can only hold a commercial driver’s license in one state and you must apply for it in your home state. In order to transport hazardous materials, you must be at least 21 years of age in most states.
Non-CDL License
A non-commercial driver’s license allows you to drive a vehicle with a total weight of fewer than 8,000 lbs. These vehicles include passenger cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. Drivers as young as 15 can obtain a learner’s permit for operating passenger vehicles in some states. These drivers must have a licensed driver over the age of 21 in the vehicle with them at all times. These licenses have endorsements that include driving with glasses, operating a vehicle during daytime hours and the ability to operate a motorcycle.
What is the difference between a Commercial (CDL) and a Non-Commercial Driver’s License (Non-CDL)?
Those who have CDL licenses are allowed to drive passenger vehicles but you are not allowed to operate any commercial vehicle with a non-CDL license. The license test involves questions regarding use of the vehicle systems including air brakes.
The Application
The driver-specific application contains the same data elements for both driver types; however, the information provided on the application differs. For instance, in underemployment history, both driver types list all employment for the previous three years and indicate whether they were subject to DOT testing and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). But, if applying for a position requiring a CDL, the applicant must enter an additional seven years’ worth of work experience in which he or she operated such a vehicle.
The Cost
The cost to obtain or renew a CDL or non-CDL license varies by state, fees for obtaining or renewing a CDL license may be anywhere from around $40 to around $500. States may charge a fee to submit an application, get an endorsement, do written and road tests or receive a physical license and to obtain or renew Non-CDL can run anywhere from $10 to $89. And the validity of the licence also varies from state to state.
Whether you’re a commercial or non-commercial license driver, you are of equal importance, both things have their own value and importance, it’s just a matter of personal choice with which type you wanna proceed. Usually, people start with Non-CDL driving, sometimes because of age issues but mostly because they wanna acquire experience by starting small. And ofcourse the formalities in Non-CDL Driving are also less, hence people find it more convenient, but even if you wish to directly apply for CDL Driving we are here to help you out with all the concerned formalities and knowledge.
A hotshot truck load driver is someone who hauls equipment and if there are any specific deliveries for clients. Hotshot refers to the quick nature of these time-sensitive deliveries. Hot shot trucking is the process of transporting smaller quantities of freight which are time-sensitive using a flatbed hot shot trailer and a “medium-duty” pickup truck. Drivers have usually contracted labourers and drive their own commercial vehicles. Hotshot drivers can handle loads for the company or take freelance opportunities.
And if you’ve made a decision to start your own trucking business, we offer professional truck dispatch services and help you find truck loads.
To maintain registration with the US Department of Transportation (DOT), commercial motor vehicle carriers must keep driver qualification files for their drivers, including non-CDL drivers.