After getting into a car accident I called Barbara and it was the best decision I ever made. She is amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to represent me. She got me the best settlement to pay back my medi...
The fight with insurance companies is just as hard as fighting for your life after an accident. As long as you dont give up on yourself Barbara will fight for you. The staff at Kidwell and Gallagher were great as well. I...
These two are specialists in two related fields, personal injury and workmen’s comp. Both they and their staff were VERY responsive to me and my questions, and handled my case with patience and competence. I would,...
I feel like kidwell & Gallagher went above and beyond for me. Craig himself and his staff are so nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this law office for your workmans comp/injury needs. You will not be disappo...
The best place to go if you need good hometown lawyers. They are very informative and kept us updated on what was going to happen through out our case.
Was the best experience, we told them the problem and they took over everything, was such a relief. Always there to answer any questions and help is fast is possible.
I was at my job mountain crew changes there in the basement of kidwell and Gallagher
They weren’t able to help with my case, but they directed me to someone who could.
Having the correct type of driver’s license is essential if you’re planning to maneuver large commercial vehicles in Nevada. A Class A license permits drivers to operate heavy combination vehicles, primarily for long-haul transportation. At Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers, we recognize the unique challenges that come with commercial driving and are dedicated to supporting conductors who have been injured in accidents, helping them receive the assistance and compensation they deserve. Get in touch with a Personal Injury Lawyer for legal assistance today.
Our team of attorneys at Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury Attorney want to hear from you. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, wrongful death, motorcycle accident, or have suffered another type of personal injury contact our team today for a free consultation.
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For anyone asking, what is a Class A license, the answer isn’t just about eligibility, it’s about completing the training and testing that prove you can handle commercial trucks safely. Getting this license in Nevada is a multi-step process that moves drivers from classroom learning to real-world driving. According to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, the path usually looks like this:
Each step builds accountability, ensuring only trained drivers qualify. And when truckers cut corners or skip training, those gaps can become powerful evidence of negligence in Reno accident cases.
A Class A CDL gives drivers the broadest commercial privileges under Nevada law, qualifying them to operate some of the most powerful vehicles on our roads. When people ask, What is a Class A license?, the answer goes beyond weight ratings; it’s about being trusted to handle vehicles central to industries that keep Nevada running. As mentioned in Nevada’s Commercial Driver License Manual (DMV-702), this license allows holders to operate:
From a practical standpoint, a Class A CDL isn’t just a credential, it’s a gateway to versatile career opportunities. For accident cases, whether a driver had this license often determines not only if they were legally qualified but also whether they had the training necessary to operate the type of vehicle involved in a crash.
One of the most precise answers to “What is a Class A license?” is its authority to operate combination vehicles such as tractor-trailers, multi-trailer rigs, or trucks towing heavy equipment. These vehicles demand advanced skills in coupling and uncoupling, executing wide turns, and maneuvering in tight spaces. Training for these maneuvers goes beyond the scope of a Class B or C license, underscoring the higher responsibility carried by Class A operators.
The defining feature of a Class A license isn’t just the vehicle size; it’s how weight impacts safety and regulation. Heavier rigs carry more momentum, require longer stopping distances, and place greater strain on braking systems. Drivers must learn to manage these dynamics through training that covers proper gear use, downhill speed control, and defensive driving on Nevada’s steep grades.
Weight also plays a critical role in liability after crashes. If a truck is overloaded or the driver fails to account for shifting cargo, investigators can trace the cause of accidents to improper weight management. For this reason, what is a Class A license often comes up in legal settings, since the license itself sets the standard for who is qualified to operate the heaviest commercial vehicles.
When a truck hooks up to a trailer or heavy equipment, the challenge goes beyond the scale reading. Balance, distribution, and control all come into play. A poorly secured load can shift mid-drive, causing sway, fishtailing, or sudden loss of traction. Add Nevada’s long grades and sharp curves, and an overloaded trailer can quickly overwhelm braking systems.
That’s why state law requires drivers to stay within manufacturer limits and properly secure every haul. These aren’t just boxes to check; they’re safeguards against rollovers, jackknifes, and brake failures that put everyone on the road at risk. At the end of the day, Class A operators are trusted with the heaviest rigs, and how they manage a trailer often becomes a deciding factor when investigators investigate a crash.
Beyond vehicle size, what is a Class A license if not the key to career flexibility? With proper endorsements, drivers can move seamlessly between industries, hauling freight one day, transporting livestock the next, or serving construction projects.
This adaptability makes Class A CDL holders vital to Nevada’s economy, where mining, agriculture, and logistics all rely on commercial transport. For drivers, it translates into broader career opportunities and long-term stability in an industry with constant demand.
This license type allows drivers to operate vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more where the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 pounds. Common examples of Class A vehicles include tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, and flatbeds. This permit also qualifies drivers to operate Class B and Class C vehicles.
However, if your vehicle has specialized equipment, like air brakes, or if you’re handling the transport of hazardous materials, you’ll need additional endorsements. The Class A CDL is ideal for those looking to drive interstate or intrastate, significantly expanding job opportunities. Get further information about Nevada CDL requirements.
This one covers single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, as long as the towed vehicle is under 10,000 pounds. Straight trucks, large buses, and dump trucks fall into this category. While not as versatile as a Class A license, a Class B CDL is perfect for those driving within the state for jobs that involve heavy but smaller loads.
For drivers who need to transport dangerous materials or operate vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers, the Class C CDL is the appropriate choice. This license applies to smaller passenger buses, vans, and vehicles carrying regulated materials. Although more limited, it is essential for those working in specific industries like school transportation or hazardous waste management.
Before obtaining any CDL, you first need a Commercial Learner’s Permit. This one allows you to practice driving commercial vehicles under the supervision of a licensed CDL holder. To qualify for a CLP in Nevada, you have to:
Our team of attorneys at Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury Attorney want to hear from you. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, wrongful death, motorcycle accident, or have suffered another type of personal injury contact our team today for a free consultation.
Get In Touch With Us
Driving large commercial vehicles can come with its own set of hurdles, and car accidents are sometimes unavoidable. Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers are here to assist you in understanding your rights and standing by your side if you’ve been involved in a commercial vehicle accident. Contact a trusted Personal Injury Lawyer today for a free consultation.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
