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Everything You Need to Know About CDL Class B Jobs

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If you’re thinking about a career in commercial driving, you probably know that there are different types of Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).  

 

While many people entering the field focus on Class A CDLs, which are required for long-haul trucking, a Class B CDL is another great option that provides unique job opportunities, often with more home time and predictable schedules. 

 

Keep reading to learn what a CDL B license really is, how it differs from other CDLs, the types of jobs available, and the benefits of pursuing a CDL B driving career. 

 

What is a CDL B License? 

A CDL B (Commercial Driver’s License – Class B) is a type of commercial license that allows drivers to operate single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more or tow a trailer that does not exceed 10,000 pounds.  

 

CDL B drivers handle medium to heavy-duty vehicles but do not typically drive large tractor-trailers like CDL A holders. 

 

CDL B vs. CDL A vs. CDL C 

Understanding the differences between the three types of CDL classes is essential to understanding which option is best for your career interests and experience. For our full guide on CDL class types and endorsements, read more here.  

 

Here’s a quick breakdown to explain how a CDL B differs from other CDL classes:  

 

  • CDL A: Required for vehicles with a GVWR over 26,001 pounds and a trailer over 10,000 pounds. It includes tractor-trailers, flatbeds, and tanker trucks. CDL A drivers often do long-haul trucking across states, also called over the road (OTR) driving.  
  • CDL B: Allows drivers to operate straight trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, and buses. They can tow trailers under 10,000 pounds. CDL B drivers typically work locally or regionally. 
  • CDL C: Required for smaller commercial vehicles that transport 16 or more passengers (like passenger vans or small buses) or carry hazardous materials in quantities requiring placards. 

 

Common CDL B Driving Jobs 

CDL B drivers have access to a wide variety of driving jobs across different industries. Here are some of the most common CDL B jobs: 

 

Delivery Truck Drivers 

  • Operate box trucks or straight trucks for food distributors, furniture companies, or parcel delivery services. 
  • Often have local or regional routes, meaning more home time than long-haul trucking. 

 

Dump Truck Drivers 

  • Work in construction, roadwork, and landscaping by hauling materials like sand, gravel, or asphalt. 
  • May work seasonally or year-round depending on the company and location. 

 

Bus Drivers (School & Transit) 

  • Drive school buses, city transit buses, or shuttle buses for universities, airports, and hotels. 
  • Require a Passenger (P) endorsement and, for school buses, a School Bus (S) endorsement. 

 

Cement & Ready-Mix Truck Drivers 

  • Deliver concrete to construction sites. These trucks have a rotating drum to mix and keep cement from hardening. 
  • Often work early shifts and have set schedules. 

 

Tow Truck Operators 

  • Require a CDL B for heavy-duty tow trucks that assist with broken-down buses, large trucks, and RVs. 
  • Can work independently or for towing companies and roadside assistance providers. 

 

Utility & Service Truck Drivers 

  • Drive vehicles used by utility companies (electric, water, gas) to transport heavy equipment or mobile repair units. 
  • Some jobs require additional mechanical skills. 

 

Refrigerated Box Truck Drivers 

  • Transport perishable goods, such as dairy, frozen food, or pharmaceuticals, using refrigerated trucks. 
  • Often work on set delivery schedules, ensuring businesses receive fresh products. 

 

Moving Company Drivers 

  • Drive moving trucks for residential and commercial relocations. 
  • Often assists in loading and unloading in addition to driving. 

 

Benefits of CDL B Driving Jobs

Pursuing a CDL B career offers several advantages compared to CDL A or non-commercial driving jobs. Here are some of the key benefits:

  1. More Local or Regional Routes

Unlike CDL A drivers who often travel across multiple states and spend days or weeks away from home, CDL B jobs are typically local or regional. Many CDL B drivers are home every night or multiple times a week, making it an excellent choice for those who value family time. 

  1. Easier to Obtain Than CDL A

CDL B vehicles are often smaller and easier to handle than tractor-trailers. 

CDL B training takes less time than CDL A training, usually a few weeks to a couple of months depending on the program. 

  1. Good Job Stability

CDL B jobs are always in demand, especially in construction, delivery, public transportation, and utility services. 

Many industries that employ CDL B drivers are less affected by economic downturns, ensuring job security. 

  1. Competitive Pay & Benefits

While CDL B drivers may not earn as much as CDL A long-haul drivers, they still receive a steady income that ranges widely depending on location, industry, and driver experience.  

Many CDL B jobs include overtime opportunities, benefits, and retirement plans. 

  1. Variety of Job Opportunities

With a CDL B, you’re not limited to one type of driving job. If you want to switch from delivery driving to dump truck operation or bus driving, you can do so without getting a new license. 

 

 

Looking for more information on potential jobs and new trends in the trucking industry? Be sure to check out more posts on our blog and follow us on social media! 

The Best Truck Driving Jobs for 18 Year Olds

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truck driving jobs for 18 year olds

Looking to get into trucking but think that you need to wait until you’re 21? That’s not the case! In most states, drivers can earn their CDL and begin driving at 18.  Because of this, there are a ton of truck driving jobs for 18-year-olds that pay well, give great experience, and will give you a leg up when you turn 21. 

Why Won’t Some Companies Hire 18-Year Old Drivers?

While it’s a myth that you can’t start driving until you’re 21, it is more difficult to find the kind of high-paying work that older, more experienced drivers can. There are two reasons for this. The first and biggest is that you can’t carry freight across state lines. There have been pushes to do away with this requirement over the past few years, but nothing has happened yet. Since most OTR routes will take you beyond your home state, larger companies won’t even consider hiring you until you hit 21. The second is insurance. Many of the large insurance companies that specialize in trucking insurance won’t even consider insuring a driver until he or she is 21 (even 25 in some cases).  

What Kind of Trucking Jobs Am I Able to Land?

Since you won’t be able to drive across state lines, your work is limited to intra-state. This isn’t a bad thing by any means. Many of these jobs will help you learn the essential skills you’ll need when you turn 21. While some of these jobs will require a CDL, there’s a good number that don’t, depending on the type of truck you’ll be driving and the state you’re in. 

1. Furniture Delivery

Large retailers are always looking for drivers to deliver large furniture to customers. These jobs are great for young drivers since all deliveries are within state lines and you’ll get straight truck (think of a large U-Haul) experience. Be aware though, these jobs are more than driving, you’ll most likely be doing the labor of moving the furniture as well.  

truck driving jobs for 18 year olds

2 Repo/Tow

You’re probably familiar with the concept of repo/towing. This job entails towing wreckage from an accident, or a perfectly good car from a driver who chooses not to make their car payments. Either way, this job is a great way to not only get you driving experience, but learning worthwhile mechanical skills that will help you further along in your career.  

3. Dump Truck

This is another example of a Class B vehicle that almost never crosses state lines, making it a prime option for 18–year-old drivers. Dump truck drivers can either work for a company or be owner-operators, but if you’re under 21, you’ll most likely be going the company route. This work can also be a gateway into a career specializing in construction equipment. If you tend to be more social, that’s another reason dump truck driving might be for you. This line of work will have you working with the same crew on a consistent basis.   

4. Livestock Hauling

Hauling livestock isn’t the easiest job on this list, but if you’re young, want driving experience and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, it may be the job for you. Because of the extra sanitation and safety concerns present when hauling live animals, livestock haulers are considered “specialty” drivers and are usually compensated as such. If you live in a rural area with a lot of farmland, chances are there will be some sort of livestock hauling work near you. 

5. Beverage Delivery

While larger beverage carriers may require you to have a Class A, many smaller beverage companies and regional beer makers may use smaller trucks that only require a Class B. Hiring requirements for this job will vary from company to company, it’s a great way to get valuable hours of experience behind the wheel before you turn 21. Be warned, like furniture, beverage delivery will have you not only driving, but unloading and even stocking product in stores and restaurants.  

6. Truck Driver Assistant

This job is perfect if you’re interested in trucking but want to make sure it’s right for you before spending time and money earning your CDL. Truck driver assistants mostly help with the loading and unloading of cargo and getting documents signed from customers upon delivery. More importantly, you’ll be getting firsthand experience inside a truck, observing the ins and outs of what it takes to be a driver and ultimately seeing if the position is right for you.  

Donald Wedington-Clark is a trucker out of Phoenix who started driving when he was 18. He had the following to say about starting your trucking career early,

“Just starting out, I was lucky enough to have an old time driver teach me what he knew. He accepted nothing short of excellence.  During my first year OTR, I was teamed with a driver who loved his job and passed on so much information on how to do all the little things that make the job great. The best thing in my training was being teamed with an experienced driver and staying as a team for an entire year.” – shared Donald.

Many young people think that trucking careers start at 21. Don’t make that mistake. There are plenty of truck driving jobs for 18-year-olds that will help you earn valuable driving experience as well as some good money. 

truck driving jobs for 18 year olds

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What to Know and How to Find Dump Truck Jobs

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Dump truck jobsDump truck jobs are great positions for drivers who want to stay close to home and are happy to be out rain or shine. Dump truck work includes a big range in type of load. Some drivers haul garbage, but others haul paving materials and construction supplies like dirt, gravel, sand, or coal. If you’re new to the dump truck world or are thinking about switching to become a dump truck driver, we have everything you need to find your first job.

1. How To Get Started With A Dump Truck

License and Certifications

As with most types of truck driving, one of the first steps for starting with a dump truck is licensing. Professional dump truck drivers need either a CDL A or CDL B license to get started. A CDL B license will take less time and has a lower cost, but a CDL A allows drivers to accept a greater range of jobs. Before signing up for a CDL licensing program, do a little research to decide which type of license is better for you. 

In addition to a CDL license, there are a few certifications that can be helpful for dump truck drivers. The Dump Truck Operations and Dump Truck Tailgate Removal and Installation CBT Certifications can make drivers more competitive as job candidates. Hazmat, Passenger, and Air Brakes endorsements can also benefit dump truck drivers. Each of these additional certifications opens up job possibilities and makes you a more competitive driver candidate. 

Types of Trucks

As you get started in dump truck driving, take some time to get to know the types of dump trucks. There are a lot of options here. The most common type of truck, a standard dump truck, is a truck chassis with a dump truck body on the frame. The back of the bed is hinged. Also, there is a hydraulic ram under the body that raises the bed to dump loads. We won’t get into all the details here, but there are many other types of trucks that drivers use for specific types of loads or in specific geographies. To see them all, check out this list. 

Job Details

While the work for dump truck jobs isn’t a light load, there are many benefits to hauling dump truck loads. Typically, dump truck work is local, so most drivers are home daily. For drivers with a family or who are tired of long nights on the road, this is a huge advantage of driving dump trucks. That said, drivers should be prepared to work rain or shine! Depending on where you live, there can be a wide range of weather conditions. As a dump truck driver, you’ll work in all of them. For drivers who are more social, dump truck jobs can be a great fit. Many drivers work with a lot of the same people consistently, so there is a sense of camaraderie on the job. 

2. Company Driver or Owner Operator? 

Company Driver

Dump truck driver Travis

Travis, Dump Truck Driver

A big decision to make if you are getting started in dump trucking is whether you want to be a company driver or an owner operator. If you’re new to the dump truck world, starting out as a company driver can help you get experience while having a steady job. We asked Travis, a dump truck driver from a small company in Southern Oregon, if he had any tips for new drivers.

“Just be confident in yourself as a driver. Take every bit of criticism and knowledge people want to pass down. Research and watch some videos on YouTube just to get some basic knowledge. Try and find a smaller company that will be more apt to help and give drivers a chance,” shared Travis.

Owner Operator

On the other hand, if you are ready to jump in as an owner operator, you will have more flexibility. You can decide what jobs fit your schedule and meet your financial needs. Before you start, make sure you are financially ready. The biggest costs for new dump truck owner operators are in equipment. You will need to decide what type of truck is best for you and will help you get the jobs you need. While a truck is typically the biggest upfront cost, make sure you also budget time and money for licensing and smaller costs like fuel and any technology you want in your truck. 

We spoke with Greg, an experienced owner operator for his company Greg Melendez Trucking, about how to find dump truck work.

“I started in ’99 and the one thing I learned was to NEVER turn down the first job and NEVER cancel due to a second job that might be better. Take the first job and work it and the person your working for will appreciate it, not like the guy that cancels thinking the second job offer is better cause most [of] the time it’s worse. Honesty goes a long way in this type of work. The more honest you are the more respect you’ll get in return,” shared Greg.

Becoming a dump truck owner operator is not cheap, but for some drivers, the payoffs in money and time are well worth it.

3. How to Find Work

Dump truck work

Photo from Dump Truck Driver, Travis

If you take the big step to become a dump truck driver, being able to find jobs is a lifeline! To start your search, use sites that partner with multiple employers. Drive My Way can save you endless hours of job searching by matching you with a company that fits your qualifications and personal preferences. 

If you start your job search in person, it’s all about connecting with the right people. Networking is the key to success. For local work, start with a drive! Keep an eye out for construction companies in your area that might need dump truck workers. Look for developments in your town and nearby and find out what company is paying for the work. Then, reach out to that company and see if they need extra trucks. If you want more information on a company before you reach out, go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and look at company snapshots. Enter the name or US DOT number to look at the fleet size and the driver number. If there are more trucks than drivers, that may mean they are looking for people to fill those jobs!

To expand your job search beyond what you find on a drive around town, start looking for construction zones. Then, find out which companies won those construction bids. For local work, contact your local government and find out what companies have contracts. Then, get in touch and ask if any of those companies are looking for sub-contractors. Dump truck owner operators can also bid on state construction contracts. However, these bids are often harder to win because many construction companies are looking for companies with multiple trucks. Start your search close to home, then make your circle bigger if needed.

truck driver at loading dock

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Job of the Day: Service Plus Transport Inc.

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Today’s Job of the Day comes to us from Service Plus Transport Inc.

As a Minnesota carrier, Service Plus Transport bases success on their drivers’ and owner operators’ hard work. They strive to commit to the success of their drivers. Also, they understand the importance of home time and pay and value honest principles. They don’t have endless settlement pay deductions, and driver longevity is very important to them.

Currently, Service Plus seeks OTR drivers out of Circle Pines, Minnesota. They haul completely no-touch freight, and they get drivers home every 5-7 days. In addition, they offer $0.50 mileage pay, mileage bonuses, and a $2,500 sign-on bonus. Also, benefits include paid vacation and orientation, 401k, profit sharing, and medical, dental, and vision coverage.

In addition, Service Plus asks that applicants are at least 21 years old with at least two years of CDL experience. In addition, drivers must possess a CDL A license and tanker endorsement.

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Job of the Day: Allan Meyers MD Inc.

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Today’s Job of the Day comes to us from Allan Meyers MD Inc.

Based in the Mid-Atlantic, Allan Myers serves as the largest heavy civil construction company and materials provider. Furthermore, they own seven regional offices and fifteen asphalt and aggregate plants. With more than 75 years of history under their belt, they are constantly growing and pushing themselves to take on new challenges. They have their own extensive fleet of vehicles and equipment, and serve markets including: design-build, site development, transportation, water and asphalt and aggregate production. They are a team of hard-working men and women as strong as the structures they build.

Currently, Allan Meyers seeks local dump truck drivers out of Fallston, Maryland. This non-exempt position is dispatched to transport construction materials to customer or job site locations. It may also include being assigned to move construction materials at different job sites. They have 1st and 3rd shifts available, and routes are within 100 miles of origin. They pay $18-$20 hourly, depending on experience, and pay overtime past 40 hours weekly.

In addition, Allan Meters asks that applicants are at least 18 years old, with their high school diploma or GED. Also, drivers must have their class A CDL license.

Interested in applying?

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