After getting your driver’s license, you probably thought that was it. After all, you learned to drive, understood the rules of the road, and even passed an exam. However useful that knowledge may be when driving a passenger vehicle, the skills and training required to become a commercial truck driver are far more extensive. Just as the training is more complex, the endorsements and restrictions on commercial licenses are more involved as well. Before heading to a local CDL school to get started, here are some of the most common endorsements and restrictions to expect.

5 Commercial License Ratings a CDL School Will Prepare You For

1. Materials Endorsements

Depending on the type of cargo the driver wants to transport, they’ll need a particular type of endorsement. For hazardous materials, drivers must pass a written test to gain the H endorsement on the license. For tankers, anyone behind the wheel must possess the N qualification. Should drivers want to transport hazmat waste, the X qualification is required. A CDL school can help you train and test for these ratings.

2. Passenger Endorsements

If you’re attending a truck driving school to become qualified for driving buses, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate endorsement. For school bus drivers, the S endorsement is an absolute must, requiring a written and driving test and extensive background checks. For passenger buses or shuttles, drivers will want to earn the P designation instead.

3. Vehicle Restrictions

The type of truck you test on determines the types of trucks you can drive commercially. If the test vehicle is an automatic transmission rig, drivers will earn the E restriction on the license. This makes it illegal for you to drive a manual transmission truck without further testing and licensing. If the test is passed with a manual transmission rig, you’re free to drive any commercial trucks with either transmission type.

4. Brake Restrictions

Commercial trucks come with either air or hydraulic brakes. Air brakes require additional training and knowledge to operate properly. Fail the test or take the test in a vehicle with only hydraulic brakes, and drivers will receive both the L and Z restriction on a license.

5. Bus Restrictions

Not all buses fall under the same size category. If a driver already has a Class A CDL license but earns the endorsement by testing with a B or C bus, they’ll get the M restriction and can only drive a class B or C school bus. If the license shows a Class B CDL rating, drivers will be restricted to only a class C vehicle indicated by an N on the license.

Understanding restrictions and endorsements can be confusing. At Great Lakes Truck Driving School in Columbia Station, OH, their instructors will make sure you understand which endorsements match your career interests. Whether you’ve driven large vehicles before or are enrolling in CDL school with no experience, their instructors will make sure students are prepared for everything the road can throw their way. Their financial assistance program and job placement services will help you get started in the industry quickly. Learn more about their programs online, and call (440) 236-3436 to enroll today.