TSI Trucks parked in Lot

Benefits of Earning a Class A Commercial Driver’s License

Have you thought about what life would be like on the road? You can turn this dream into a reality by earning your Class A commercial driver’s license, or CDL. It turns out that the CDL A is the secret in obtaining better paying jobs and having access to more career opportunities in general. 

In this article, we’ll cover the many benefits of earning a CDL A, the different types of CDL A jobs, and where to find opportunities.

What Is a Class A CDL?

Before we get into the benefits of Class A CDLs, it’s important to note that there are actually three classes of commercial driver’s licenses: A, B, and C.

The Class A CDL license grants drivers the permission to operate semi-trailers or trailers with two or more axles. This license is required for towing trailers over 10,000 pounds. Drivers with this license can also operate Class B and C vehicles.

On the other hand, a Class B CDL is required only for drivers who are towing trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) less than 10,000 pounds.

Lastly, a Class C CDL is only needed for drivers who are transporting 16 or more passengers or operating small HAZMAT vehicles. Class C drivers cannot operate vehicles that are under Class A or Class B licenses.

Essentially, Class A is the highest class. WIth one, you can operate Class A, Class B, and Class C vehicles. But, that’s not the only benefit. 

Benefits of Obtaining a Class A CDL

Truck driver holding a class A CDL license

Obtaining a Class A CDL may seem like a lot of work, but it can take as little as a month. Overall, there are minimal training requirements needed to qualify for CDL A jobs. All you need is discipline and commitment. Plus, the benefits definitely outweigh the cost of enrolling in a Class A CDL program. 

Some of the major benefits include:

Class A CDL Jobs Are in High Demand

Production rates in the United States have increased, leaving many companies in need of Class A CDL drivers. Due to the high demand, this enhances the security of CDL A jobs and makes it easy to find a job in this field.

Higher Pay Compared to Other Classifications

As previously mentioned,  Class A CDLs allow drivers to operate a combination of vehicles, which you can’t do with a Class B or Class C. For this reason alone, the CDL driver salary scale tends to be much higher than people holding a Class B or C license.

Flexibility

Lastly, many Class A CDL jobs let drivers create their own driving schedules and hours. For example, at TSI, our solo drivers are allowed to work at their own pace. There are very few jobs out there that offer employees that level of flexibility. 

Find Class A CDL Job Opportunities With TSI

You can find many CDL A job opportunities with TSI. We’re currently hiring for solo drivers, team drivers, and owner-operators. We even have an easy six-week program available for new drivers interested in a career in transportation. If you’re interested in learning more about working for TSI, please view our FAQ, or click here to read more about our available CDL driver jobs.