CDL Class A vs Class B: Which License Should You Get?

If you’re thinking about getting your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Illinois, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to pursue a Class A or Class B license. Both licenses open the door to professional driving careers, but each has different opportunities, training requirements, and vehicle limitations.

Let’s clearly explain the differences between Class A and Class B CDLs to help you decide which one aligns best with your career goals.

A Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is the most versatile type of CDL. With a Class A license, you can operate:

• Tractor-trailers (semi-trucks or big rigs)
• Combination vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds, including trailers exceeding 10,000 pounds
• Any combination of commercial vehicles (semi-trucks, flatbeds, tankers, refrigerated trucks, and more)

Because Class A allows drivers to operate almost any commercial vehicle on the road, it’s considered the most flexible CDL license. If you envision yourself driving long-haul routes, working in freight transportation, or hauling specialized cargo, a Class A CDL is typically the best choice.

• Long-haul (over-the-road) trucking
• Regional and local delivery routes with tractor-trailers
• Heavy equipment hauling (flatbeds or heavy loads)
• Specialized transport such as refrigerated goods or hazardous materials

At Alpha Truck Driving School, we offer a comprehensive Class A CDL program designed to fully prepare you for versatile and lucrative trucking opportunities in Chicago and beyond.

A Class B CDL permits you to operate a single commercial vehicle with a total weight over 26,000 pounds, but typically without a separate large trailer. Common vehicles driven with a Class B license include:

• Box trucks (delivery vehicles)
• Dump trucks
• Garbage trucks
• City buses, school buses, or shuttle buses
• Cement mixers or large construction vehicles

Class B is often a great choice if you prefer local or regional driving jobs with shorter distances and more predictable schedules.

• Individuals who prefer local deliveries or city routes.
• Drivers looking for jobs like bus driving, dump truck operation, or working with local construction or delivery services.
• Drivers who prefer predictable hours and being home every night.

Although Class B doesn’t cover tractor-trailers, it still provides solid earning potential and steady work. Alpha Truck Driving School’s Class B CDL program focuses on practical training for single-vehicle operation, preparing you for reliable local job opportunities around the Chicago area.

Both licenses have excellent career potential, but Class A offers more flexibility and higher long-term earning potential, while Class B provides quicker access to local job markets and consistent routes.

• Long-haul trucking: Class A
• Local or city routes: Class B

• Higher earnings and flexibility: Class A
• Stable local income: Class B

• Longer but comprehensive: Class A
• Quicker, more focused training: Class B

• Enjoy traveling and flexibility: Class A
• Prefer predictable local schedules: Class B

Choosing between a Class A or Class B CDL ultimately depends on your personal and professional goals. If you prefer long-distance driving, higher earning potential, and the greatest flexibility in career options, Class A is your best bet. If you prefer staying local, regular schedules, and predictable workdays, Class B might suit you better.

Whichever you choose, quality training matters. Alpha Truck Driving School, located in the Chicago area (near Addison, IL), provides both Class A and Class B training programs taught by experienced instructors. We ensure that our students graduate fully prepared to confidently pass the CDL exams and succeed in the trucking industry.