To find out what class of driver’s license you have, look at the front of your card for a field labeled “Class,” “Type,” or “DL Class” near your photo or personal information block. It will show a single letter or short code. That code tells you which size and type of vehicle you’re legally allowed to operate, and what it means depends on whether you hold a standard non-commercial license or a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Where the Class Appears on Your Card
Under a national card design standard published by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the vehicle classification code appears in a designated zone on the front of every U.S. driver’s license and ID card, with a description or illustration of what that code means on the back. In most states it sits close to your name, date of birth, or photo.
While you have the card in hand, look at the “Endorsements” and “Restrictions” fields too. Endorsements expand what you’re allowed to drive. Restrictions limit it. Both can change the real answer to what your license covers, so neither should be ignored.
Standard Non-Commercial License Classes
If you’ve never applied for a commercial license, you almost certainly hold a standard non-commercial class. This is the license most people get at age 16 or 18, and it covers everyday passenger vehicles: sedans, pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, and similar personal vehicles.
The specific letter varies by state. California and Texas call it “Class C.” New York and Florida call it “Class D.” A handful of states use “Class E” or other designations. The letter is different, but the privileges are broadly similar. You can operate a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating under 26,001 pounds and tow a trailer that doesn’t push you into commercial territory.
Most standard licenses also allow a small recreational trailer or boat, though the exact weight cutoff before you’d need a higher class depends on your state. If you plan to tow something heavy, check your state DMV’s trailer weight threshold rather than assuming a national rule applies.
Motorcycles
Motorcycles, motor scooters, and mopeds require separate authorization in every state. Some states issue a standalone motorcycle license, often called “Class M.” Others add a motorcycle endorsement to your existing standard license. Either way, the authorization will show up on the card as its own class letter or as an endorsement code. If neither appears on yours, you aren’t licensed to ride.
Commercial Driver’s License Classes
Commercial driver’s licenses follow a uniform federal classification system, so unlike standard licenses, the class letters mean the same thing in every state. Federal law prohibits anyone from operating a commercial motor vehicle without a valid CDL.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 49 USC 31302 Commercial Drivers License Requirement
Three CDL groups are defined by vehicle weight and configuration:
- Class A (combination vehicle): any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, as long as the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds. This is the license for tractor-trailers, flatbeds hauling heavy equipment, and other large combination rigs.
- Class B (heavy straight vehicle): any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, or that same vehicle towing a trailer of 10,000 pounds or less. City buses, concrete mixers, large dump trucks, and box trucks fall here.
- Class C (small vehicle): vehicles that don’t meet the Class A or B weight thresholds but are either designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or transport hazardous materials requiring placards. Airport shuttles and certain delivery vehicles fall here.
One source of confusion worth flagging: “Class C” means two very different things depending on the context. On a California or Texas non-commercial license, Class C is the ordinary passenger-car license. On a CDL, Class C is a commercial authorization for small passenger-carrying or hazmat-placarded vehicles. If your card doesn’t say “Commercial” anywhere on it, you have the non-commercial version.
A higher CDL class generally includes the privileges of lower classes. A Class A holder can drive Class B and Class C vehicles, though endorsements for specific cargo or vehicle types are a separate requirement.
Endorsements You May See on the Card
Federal regulations require the following endorsement codes to appear on a CDL document when the driver qualifies for them:3eCFR. 49 CFR 383.153 Information on the CLP and CDL Documents and Applications
- T: double and triple trailers
- P: passenger vehicles
- N: tank vehicles
- H: hazardous materials
- X: combined tank vehicle and hazardous materials
- S: school buses
Non-commercial licenses carry endorsements too, though the codes aren’t federally standardized. The most common on the non-commercial side is a motorcycle endorsement. Your state DMV website publishes a full list of the codes it uses.
Restrictions You May See on the Card
Restrictions narrow what your license allows. On the CDL side, federal regulations define several standard scenarios:4eCFR. 49 CFR 383.95 Restrictions
- An air brake restriction if you tested in a vehicle without air brakes or failed the air brake knowledge component.
- A manual transmission restriction if you tested in an automatic, which blocks you from driving a commercial vehicle with a manual transmission.
- A fifth-wheel restriction if you tested in a combination vehicle connected by a pintle hook rather than a fifth wheel.
- A code “V” indicating the driver has a medical variance on file, such as a vision waiver or a skill performance evaluation.
On a standard non-commercial license, the two restrictions you’ll see most often are a corrective lenses restriction, meaning you must wear glasses or contacts while driving, and an automatic transmission restriction, meaning you tested in an automatic and can’t legally drive a manual. If you see a letter or number on your card you don’t recognize, look it up on your state DMV’s site before assuming it doesn’t apply to you.
If Your Card Is Worn, Lost, or You Just Want to Confirm
If you can’t read the class on your card, or you don’t have the card in front of you, most state DMV agencies offer an online portal where you can pull up your driving record. You’ll typically need your license number, date of birth, and sometimes the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in. The record will show your license class, endorsements, restrictions, expiration date, and any suspensions or violations on file.
Some states call this document a “driving record abstract” and charge a small fee to generate it. Others let you view the information for free through an online account. Ordering your own record is a sensible step before renewing your license, applying for a CDL upgrade, or starting a job that requires driving. Errors do happen, and catching them early saves real trouble at a traffic stop or an employer background check.
Don’t Confuse the REAL ID Star with Your License Class
A star marking in the upper right corner of your card means it is REAL ID-compliant, which has been required since May 7, 2025, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.5Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID The star has nothing to do with what class of vehicle you can drive. It’s a separate federal identification standard that lives on the same piece of plastic. A card without the star is still a valid driver’s license for driving purposes, and a card with the star tells you nothing extra about your driving privileges.6USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel