License Classes: Bring an Apple for the Teacher (Types of Licenses)
A "normal" license is a non-commercial Class 3 license. That is, with a Class 3, you can drive all the normal cars that you would normally drive out of your friendly Toyota dealer's show lot.*
With that Class 3 license, you can also drive pretty much any vehicle that's less than 26,000 pounds, as long as you're not transporting hazardous materials or towing a trailer with a gross weight of over 10,000 pounds. You also can't drive a bus if it's designed to transport more than 15 people including the driver.
So, what types of driving does that cover?
- A recreational vehicle that is less than 26,000 pounds
- A giant van or mini bus that seats between 10 and 15 people
- A golf ball
- Your parents crazy
Note that farmers and drivers of authorized emergency vehicles who are exempt from obtaining a commercial driver's license are still required to obtain a Class 3 license.
Other License Classes
So, Class 3 is the biggie. It's the license most people have. But there are a ton of others that you can get. Check 'em out on Hawaii's DOT website.
- Commercial Class A (CDL-A)
- Commercial Class B (CDL-B)
- Commercial Class C (CDL-C)
- Class 1—Mopeds
- Class 2—Motorcycles. The difference between Class 1 and Class 2 is that Class 1 covers motor scooters of 5hp or less, and Class 2 covers the bigger bikes.
*This article is in no way affiliated with Toyota.