Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | May 15, 2025 | Truck Accidents
Box trucks seem to be everywhere on the road in Florida, and many people rent box trucks when they need to move large items. You probably already know that semi-trucks or 18-wheelers require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate. But many people wonder whether a CDL is required to drive a box truck.
The answer is no in most cases. Most box trucks can be legally operated without a CDL. Continue reading to learn more about box trucks and any special licensing requirements for driving them.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements
Most box trucks do not require a CDL license to drive as long as they weigh 26,000 pounds or less. Box trucks are different from semi-trucks because the box truck’s cargo area is permanently attached to the truck’s frame. This differs from 18-wheelers that pull a trailer behind the truck.
There are three different types of CDLs available, and each one gives you the ability to drive certain types of vehicles. The classifications are CDLs available in Florida are:
Class A CDL
A Class A CDL gives you the ability to drive the largest vehicles on the road. These licenses are required to operate vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds and carrying trailers of more than 10,000 pounds. Examples include semi-trucks, flatbeds, and tanker trucks.
Class B CDL
The Class B CDL gives drivers the ability to operate single vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds. Trucks pulling trailers of less than 10,000 pounds may also require a Class B CDL. If the box truck that you want to drive has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, you will need a Class B CDL.
Class C CDL
This type of license applies to vehicles that carry 16 passengers or more and to some smaller commercial vehicles, such as delivery trucks. Some hazardous material transportation might require a Class C CDL.
What is GVWR?
The main determining factor in whether a CDL is required to drive a box truck is the truck’s GVWR. GVWR stands for gross vehicle weight rating, which is the total weight of the vehicle, including occupants and cargo, specified by the manufacturer.
The “magic number” for GVWR is 26,000 pounds. Box trucks weighing less than 26,001 pounds generally do not require a CDL to operate. Nearly all box trucks available for rent have a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds. This even includes the large 26-foot box trucks that people often use to move all of their household furniture and contents.
If you have any questions about a box truck’s GVWR or licensing requirements, you should contact the truck rental company. They should be able to answer all your questions and let you know whether any special licenses are required to drive the truck you want to rent.
Who Is Responsible for Injuries After a Box Truck Accident?
A CDL is required to drive large trucks because operating these vehicles requires special knowledge and training. Truck accidents cause many injuries annually, and this license requirement aims to avoid accidents by requiring drivers to be proficient at operating these large vehicles.
Since a CDL is not usually required to drive a box truck, many drivers might not be capable of operating these vehicles safely. If you have been injured in a box truck accident, the box truck driver may be responsible for your injuries if they caused the accident.
Contact the Truck Accident Law Firm of Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
If you have been hurt in an accident with a box truck, contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can help investigate your accident and help hold the responsible party accountable for your damages.
For more information, please contact an experienced lawyer at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We proudly serve Fort Lauderdale, Clermont, and its surrounding areas:
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
633 S Andrews Ave Ste 401, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 361-3997
Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
1655 E Hwy 50 ste 316, Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 77-33866