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Commercial Driver Handbook
What are the Driver’s License Classes in Mississippi? These are the 6 driver’s license classes in Mississippi:
Class R The class R license in Mississippi is your standard driver’s license. It’s also known as the Regular Operator License, hence the ‘R’. The Class R license allows you to operate a private vehicle that can transport no more than 15 passengers and weighs no more than 26,000 pounds. So, need to drive your sedan or SUV to work, school, or pleasure? Then you need the Class R license.
Class A CDL The Class A CDL is used for commercial purposes. It can operate combination vehicles weighing at least 26,001 pounds. And since it’s a combination vehicle, it has a towed unit/vehicle, which should weigh more than 10,001 pounds. Vehicles under this license include tractor-trailers, flatbeds, and tanks.
Class B CDL The Class B CDL is also used for commercial purposes but operates single vehicles instead of combination. The single vehicle should weigh 26,001 pounds or more. If towing a unit, the weight should not exceed 10,000 pounds. With this, you can operate dump trucks, straight trucks, box trucks, etc…
Class C CDL Here’s another commercial driver’s license. The Class C CDL can operate vehicles that transport 16 or more passengers or carry hazardous materials. That said, the vehicle should not fall under Class A or Class B. In other words, it should weigh fewer than 26,001 pounds and tow fewer than 10,001 pounds. The best example of a Class C vehicle is a school bus.
Class D What if you want to operate a taxi or take part in ride-sharing? Do you get a Class R license? But isn’t that for private use only? Should you get a Class C CDL? That’s only for transporting 16 or more passengers. Well, this is where the Class D license comes in. It can operate any vehicle that does not fall under Class A, Class B, or Class C but is still used for professional purposes.
Class M Finally, there’s Class M. This isn’t a license in and of itself — it’s more of an endorsement that’s added to your license. You get this endorsement if you want to operate a motorcycle or any two-three-wheeled vehicle on the public road.
The general knowledge test is the first of several tests that you will have to complete in order to get your CDL. The questions cover general information about commercial vehicles, driving, and vehicle inspections. The test has a total of 50 questions, and requires at least 40 correct answers to pass.
You must have an Air brake endorsement on your driver's license to drive a vehicle equipped with an air brake system. This test will test your knowledge of the function, parts, and braking distance of air brakes. The test will consist of 25 questions, and at least 20 correct answers are needed to pass.
The combination endorsement allows you to drive a vehicle with a power unit and one trailer. This test will cover the "ins and outs" of operating articulated vehicles. The exam consists of 25 questions, and requires at least 20 correct to pass.
The Hazardous Material endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle containing items such as poisons, explosives, flammables, etc. You will also have to pass the TSA Hazardous Material Threat Assessment to get this endorsement. There are 30 questions, 24 correct required to pass.
The Tanker endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank that is permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle. There are 20 questions, 16 correct required to pass.
The Doubles/Triples endorsement is required for drivers to pull 2 trailers (doubles) or 3 trailers (triples) connected to a single power unit. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.
Bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement in order to operate a vehicle which seats 16 or more, including the driver. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.
School Bus Endorsement is required for any driver who operates a school bus. After the permit tests the training can be only completed by a local school district. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.
The Pre-Trip exam is an oral exam where you are expected to check the vehicle parts to insure it is safe for road use. The amount of parts you need to check increase with the size of the vehicle, and by type of vehicle.
