Class-B CDL Truck Driver

With a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL), you gain the ability to operate:

• Single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
• Such vehicles towing a trailer NOT exceeding 10,000 pounds GVWR.  

While it doesn't have the same broad scope as a Class A CDL, a Class B still opens up numerous essential and in-demand career paths, often involving more local or regional operations. Here's a comprehensive list of job titles you can pursue with a Class B CDL:  

Transportation of People:

• Bus Driver (School Bus): Transporting students to and from school and related events. Often requires a Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsement.  
• Bus Driver (Transit Bus/City Bus): Operating public transportation buses on designated routes within a city or metropolitan area. Typically requires a Passenger (P) endorsement.  
• Bus Driver (Charter Bus/Tour Bus): Driving buses for private groups, tours, or special events. Usually requires a Passenger (P) endorsement.
• Shuttle Bus Driver: Transporting passengers between airports, hotels, or other designated locations. Often requires a Passenger (P) endorsement.  

Transportation of Goods (Local/Regional):

• Delivery Truck Driver: Operating larger delivery trucks for various goods, such as furniture, appliances, or bulk retail items.  
• Straight Truck Driver: Driving single-unit trucks for local or regional freight transport.
• Box Truck Driver: Transporting goods in enclosed box trucks for deliveries.
• Dump Truck Driver: Hauling materials like gravel, sand, and asphalt to construction sites or other locations.  
• Garbage Truck Driver (Refuse Truck Driver): Operating trucks that collect and transport waste.
• Recycling Truck Driver: Driving trucks that collect recyclable materials.  
• Concrete Mixer Truck Driver: Delivering and operating concrete mixer trucks for construction projects.  
• Fuel Delivery Driver: Transporting and delivering gasoline, propane, or other fuels to businesses and residences. Often requires a Tanker (N) endorsement and potentially a Hazmat (H) endorsement.
• Beverage Delivery Driver: Delivering cases of drinks to stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
• Food Service Delivery Driver: Transporting food and supplies to restaurants, schools, and institutions.
• Moving Truck Driver: Operating large trucks for residential or commercial moving services.
• Landscaping Truck Driver: Hauling equipment, plants, and materials for landscaping companies.
• Construction Supply Driver: Delivering materials like lumber, drywall, and roofing supplies to construction sites.  

Specialized Roles:

• Vacuum Truck Driver: Operating trucks equipped with powerful vacuum systems for cleaning sewers, industrial sites, or other applications.  
• Water Truck Driver: Transporting and delivering water for various purposes, such as dust control or irrigation.
• Street Sweeper Operator: Driving large street sweeping vehicles to clean roadways.
• Snow Plow Operator (Commercial): Operating large snowplow trucks for clearing roads (often a seasonal role).
• Tow Truck Driver (Heavy Duty): Operating larger tow trucks for recovering and transporting commercial vehicles.
• Fire Truck Operator/Engineer: Driving and operating fire apparatus (requires specific training and employment with a fire department).
• Ambulance Driver (Large Vehicle): Operating larger ambulances or emergency response vehicles (requires specific medical and operational training).

Important Considerations:

• Endorsements: Many of these roles may require specific endorsements on your Class B CDL, such as:
• Passenger (P): Required for operating vehicles designed to transport 16 or more occupants, including the driver.
• School Bus (S): Required to operate school buses. You must also have the "P" endorsement.  
• Hazardous Materials (H): Required to transport hazardous materials in placarded amounts.  
• Tanker (N): Required to transport liquids or gaseous materials in bulk in permanently mounted tanks or portable tanks rated at 1,000 gallons or more.
• Experience and Training: While a Class B CDL is the fundamental requirement, employers will often have their own specific hiring criteria, including driving experience, clean driving records, and potentially additional company-specific training.
• State and Local Regulations: Specific requirements and regulations can vary by state and locality, particularly for roles like school bus driving or operating emergency vehicles.

A Class B CDL offers a solid pathway to a variety of essential transportation and service-related careers, often with more predictable local or regional work compared to long-haul trucking. The specific opportunities available to you will depend on your interests, desired work-life balance, and any additional endorsements you obtain.