What CDL test do I need for 1 ton truck?

Answer 1

A one ton pickup or van by itself doesn't have a sufficient Gross Vehicle Weight Rating to require a CDL. There are only three cases in which that type of vehicle would require a CDL:

1. The vehicle is transporting a quantity of hazardous materials which requires the display of placards. In that case, a Class C CDL would be required, with hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsement. You would have to take the General Knowledge and Hazardous Materials written tests, as well as the pretrip and road tests.
2. The vehicle is a bus designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver). In that case, it would require a Class C CDL with passenger endorsement (school bus endorsement if it transports school children). You would have to take the General Knowledge and Passenger vehicles written tests, as well as the pretrip and road tests.
3. The vehicle is a commercial use vehicle, is towing a trailer with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in excess of 10,000 lbs., and the Gross Combined Weight Rating of truck and trailer is more than 26,000 lbs. In that instance, a Class A CDL would be required. You would have to take the General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles written tests, as well as the pretrip and road tests.

Although a CDL would not be required for a one ton pickup as a standalone pickup, most current production models have a GVW of 12 - 14,000 lbs., and, if used for commercial purposes, would require a DOT medical card if being operated outside of the driver's home state. A one ton not registered as a commercial vehicle and for exclusively private use would not.

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