In most cases, endorsements of driver’s license are often used for the purpose of granting additional driving privileges without the need of getting other types of endorsements. Currently, the state of Virginia only allows 3 Virginia CDL endorsements on the license of a commercial driver. Although Virginia CDL endorsements are not a compulsory necessity for all drivers, an endorsement absolutely has the ability to extend your career as a commercial driver.
Additionally, since most of Virginia’s driver licenses are only applicable to commercial driver licenses, drivers who currently hold regular class C licenses won’t be able to use them.
However, there may be some exceptions such as a motorcycle endorsement that can be added to any regular driver’s license.
Virginia CDL classifications
Basically, there are 3 classifications of Commercial Driver’s License – Class A, Class B, and Class C. The class of your vehicle will typically depend on the type of vehicle you have, its gross vehicle weight rating, and the manufacturer’s design.
Thus, your Commercial Driver’s License classification and any endorsement requirements that you would need will be agreed upon by the vehicle’s original class. This means that even though your automotive is altered or restructured, your commercial driver’s license will still be based on the original class of your vehicle.
Class A
A Class A driver’s license is required for an overall total weight of vehicles that equate to 26,000 lbs. or more and a towing capacity of more than 10,000 lbs.
In general, drivers that have a Class A Commercial Driver’s License operate 18-wheelers or what you call the “big-rigs”.
A Class A license is considered the universal license because it gives you the opportunity to use a wide range of vehicles. If you own a Class A Commercial Driver’s License and you have the right endorsements, you can basically drive and operate other commercial vehicles listed under Class B and Class C.
Vehicles in Class A include:
- Tractor-trailer buses
- Combination of truck and trailer vehicles
- Semi-trucks
Class B
A Class B driver’s license is required for a single vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,000 lbs. and a towing capacity for a vehicle that doesn’t go beyond 10,000 lbs. However, vehicles under this class do not have detachable trailers.
In general, drivers that have a Class B Commercial Driver’s License operate 18-wheelers or what you call the “big-rigs”.
If you hold a Class B license with the right endorsements, you can basically drive other commercial vehicles registered in Class C which are mostly small and used for hazmat purposes.
Vehicles in Class B include:
- Box trucks
- Dump trucks
- Straight trucks
- Trash pick-up trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Cement mixers
- Large buses (city buses, school buses, tourist buses)
- Segmented buses
Class C
A Class C driver’s license is required for single vehicles that equate to a gross vehicle weight of fewer than 26,000 lbs. and a towing capacity for a vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 lbs.
Vehicles under this class that is used to transport hazardous materials also known as HazMat need to secure a Class C Commercial Driver’s License. In general, drivers that have a Class C Commercial Driver’s License are required to only transport 16 passengers, counting the driver himself.
A Class C CDL is the most common type of driver’s license that allows drivers to operate vehicles that contain less than 24 passengers. If you hold a Class C license and you have the correct endorsements, you can basically drive and operate other commercial vehicles listed below.
- Small HazMat vehicles
- Small trucks towing a trailer
- Tank trucks
- Large Passenger Vans
- Combination vehicles that are not included in the list of Class A and Class B
Virginia CDL endorsements code and description
Here is a list of Virginia CDL endorsements code and descriptions:
H – Virginia Hazardous Materials Endorsement
This endorsement code allows you to operate transport vehicles for hazardous materials. It is important to know that this endorsement is not allowable for transfer from a foreign country. Thus, you must complete a knowledge test pertaining to hazardous materials first to pass.
N – Virginia Tank Vehicle Endorsement
This endorsement code basically allows you to operate a tank. Similar to code H, you would only need to complete the written knowledge test only.
P – Virginia Passenger Endorsement
This endorsement code allows you to operate a PCV (passenger-carrying automobile). For this examination, you must first pass a written knowledge test followed by an actual road test under the class of your chosen vehicle.
S – Virginia School Bus Endorsement
From the title itself, this endorsement code allows you to operate a school bus. It is important to know that this endorsement cannot be transferred from a foreign country. Thus, you must first complete a school bus knowledge test followed by an actual road skills test.
T – Virginia Double / Triple Trailers Endorsement
This endorsement code allows you to operate vehicles that tow two-way or three-way trailers. Thus, you must first prepare to complete Virginia Double / Triple Trailers Endorsement COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE written exam.
W – Tow truck
This is an additional endorsement code that requires a written test in New York State.
X – Combination of tank and hazardous materials endorsements
This is an additional endorsement code that requires you to a HazMat (Hazardous Material) Endorsement “X” Commercial Driver’s License written exam.
Are you ready for Virginia CDL requirements?
Basically, the minimum age requirement to be able to get a CDL is 21 years old. However, other states just like Virginia allow drivers ages between 18 to 20 years old to apply for a COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE.
In applying for a Commercial Driver’s License, aside from preparing for your tests, you must also present the following requirements.
- Valid identity card for proof of identity
- Proof of legal presence
- Two proofs of residency in the state of Virginia
- Proof of your social security number
- Current driver’s license (if you are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction for a Virginia driver’s license)
- Proof that your name has been changed if your name appears differently on your proof documents
Proof of eligibility under federal requirements of the Virginia state.
Now, if you want to pass the test right the first go, you definitely need to practice a lot. Our CDL prep test is a combo of thousands of questions that may be included in the real CDL test. And you can easily find the FREE Virginia CDL practice test on our website!
Let’s make Virginia CDL endorsements are much easier to obtain!
Last but not least, never mind connecting with us via [email protected].
