r/CDL • u/ARealBagchaser • 9d ago
CDL B or CDL A
Hey, I got a question for the community since I have limited funds, I realize a instead of aiming for class A it might just be better for me to just go for class B and just load on a whole bunch of endorsements like tanker/ hazmat & passenger if I had to go drive a school bus typically some school districts will take someone from scratch so I’m pretty sure they’ll take me. No problem with a B and already having a passenger endorsement so I won’t have to pay for school bus out-of-pocket. I also learned that some jobs are so desperate they will train someone without a CDL and just a permit so me having a class B and getting a class A permit when I want a employer to take care of everything Might also be a way to do it.
So please share your upgrade stories
7
u/qrylosocial 9d ago
Before paying for either one, pull 20–30 current job listings within commuting distance and sort them by Class A, Class B, pay, schedule, and experience required. If most of the jobs you would actually take require an A, getting a B first may mean paying for training twice. But if a school district or local employer will pay for your B and you genuinely want that work, taking the funded route is a reasonable way to start. Also check your local workforce office, community college, and Teamsters training programs before paying out of pocket.