CDL class A vs CDL class B

A Any combination of vehicles with a Gross CombinationWeight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001
or more pounds provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s)
being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. (Holders of a Class A license may also, with any appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Class B and C.)

B Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds or any such vehicle towing
a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. (Holders of a Class B license may
also, with any appropriate endorsements, operate all vehicles within Class C.)

copied from http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/forms/cdl.pdf

 

A CDL is generally good for 3-6 years. Most companies seem to want less than 6 months in between driving jobs without having to take a refresher course. You can have a valid CDL and not get hired by someone if they think you don't have enough experience or have been away too long.

 

A CDL A won't expire as long as you keep renewing it but now you must have a current DOT medical card whenever you renew a CDL . While most large carriers will require a refresher course without recent experience many smaller companies won't . Anyone that can get a CDL now without going to school should do so because there is a plan on the back burner to make extensive training mandatory to obtain a CDL .

http://fleetowner.com/management/fmcsa_driver_training_1227/index.html

 

Most states just require an eye test and current DOT physical card (which I don't understand because an eye test is part of the physical ) . The only endorsement requiring retesting is hazmat . That will also require a background check and fingerprinting which should be done 60 days before the license expires .

 

Does the state really check to see if you have a current medical card when a cdl is renewed. I swapped licenses from WI to MI a while back and don't remember them asking to see my card...?