What kind of license do you need to drive a 18 wheeler?

Answer 1

I'm not sure on how it works in the United States, but in Canada you need what is called a Class 1 Licence, which allows you to drive pretty much anything.

You can drive just a tractor with a Class 3 Licence with an air endorsement.

In the US, you can drive just the power unit with a Class B CDL, and you need a Class A CDL to drive the whole combination. Your licence must not have the "no air brakes" or "no tractor-trailers" restrictions on them.

Answer 2

Depends on what kind of truck you're driving, and where you're at. In the US, it varies in accordance with the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Trucks of 26,000 lbs. or less GVWR/GCWR typically do not require a Commercial Drivers Licence (CDL) except under certain circumstances (explained below).
For vehicles which do require a CDL, there are three classes of CDL:

• Class A: Vehicles/combinations with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) or more than 26,000 lbs., in which the vehicle in tow has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs. Most common example of this is the 18 wheeler, but there are other combinations requiring a Class A CDL... a Ford F650 (which by itself doesn't require a CDL) towing an equipment trailer rated at 16,000 lbs. would require a Class A CDL.
  
• Class B: Single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs., or combinations in excess of 26,000 lbs. Gross Combination Weight Rating, when the vehicle in tow does not exceed a GVWR of 10,000 lbs.
  
• Class C: Vehicles and combinations which do not exceed 26,000 lbs. GVWR or GCWR, but which require a CDL for other reasons. Any bus designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver) or any vehicle carrying quantities of hazardous material which requires placards to be displayed - both require a CDL (with the appropriate endorsements), regardless of the vehicle's weight rating.
  

Answer 3

Depends on the Gross Combination Weight Rating of the truck and trailer, as well as the nature of the vehicle itself.

If it's a commercial use vehicle with a Gross Combination Weight Rating of 26,000 lbs. or less, a regular operator's licence (what class it is depends on your state) is all you need, unless you'll be hauling hazardous materials, in which case, you would need a Class C CDL with hazmat endorsement.

If it's a commercial use vehicle with a Gross Combination Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs., and where the trailer itself is rated at more than 10,000 lbs. (which a gooseneck would be), then you need a Class A CDL. So you may not need a CDL for, say, an F350 and a 25' gooseneck, but you would need one if you were pulling that trailer with an F550, F650, or F750 (possibly even the F450.. I'd have the check the GVW of that one).

If it's a recreational vehicle, it's exempt from CDL requirements.

If it's a registered farm truck, it's exempt provided the following criteria are met:

• The vehicle is registered and plated as a farm truck
• The vehicle is operated by the farmer, immediate family members of the farmer, or direct employees of the farmer (a W-2 employee is a direct employee; a 1099 contractor is not)
• It remains within a 150 mile radius of the farm
• It is used solely and exclusively for the activities of the farm to which it belongs
• It is not hired out as a third party carrier or service provider

Answer 4

In the United States, to drive any combination of vehicles with a gross weight of over 26,000 lbs., towing a vehicle which itself is rated at over 10,000 lbs., and is not exempt from CDL requirements (such as RVs and registered farm vehicles), you're required to possess a Class A CDL, which cannot have restrictions prohibiting the use of air brakes (there is no actual air brake endorsement - just a restriction), and without a "no tractor-trailers" restriction (not all vehicles requiring a Class A CDL are 18 wheelers).

Answer 5

It takes many hours of practice to acquire the skills. Also you have to learn the laws that effect you as a driver.

Answer 6

That depends on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (if it's a single vehicle) or the Gross Combination Weight Rating (if it's a combination of vehicles, such as a truck and trailer).

Answer 7

To become a semi-truck driver, you need to receive your CDL, or Commercial Driver's License. To learn more about getting a CDL, visit your local DMV or http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Answer 8

he needs heavy licence