Flat Bed Tow Truck CDL in California
Do You Need a CDL to Drive a Flatbed Tow Truck?
“Flatbed tow-truck CDL” searches surge every construction season in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, and the Inland Empire. Whether you’re hauling impounded cars for CHP, recovering broken-down RVs on I-5, or running a private repossession company, you must follow California’s strict commercial-license rules.
SPCDL Truck Driving School explains exactly what class CDL is needed for a flatbed tow truck, how to earn it online + in person, and why our one-on-one training is the fastest way to hit the road.
Do You Need a CDL for a Flatbed Tow Truck in California?
Short answer:
If you’re towing for profit and the truck or its combination hits Federal weight or trailer limits, you need a CDL.
| Flatbed Configuration | Typical Work | CDL Required? | License Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light-Duty Rollback (Ford F-550, Ram 5500) GVWR ≤ 26,000 lb. |
Roadside car rescue, CHP impounds |
No CDL (Class C OK) | – |
| Medium-Duty Flatbed (Kenworth T280, Freightliner M2) GVWR > 26,001 lb. |
Small RVs, box-truck recovery | Yes | Class B CDL |
| Flatbed Tractor + Trailer (combo >10,000 lb. trailer) if you are towing for a profit, GVWR is irrelevant. |
Heavy equipment or tandem RV haul | Yes | Class A CDL |
CVC §15210 & FMCSA §383: Any commercial vehicle over 26,001 lb. GVWR or pulling a trailer above 10,000 lb. triggers CDL status— even if you’re “just helping a buddy” to receive a payment. If you are towing for a profit, then your GVWR is irrelevant and therefore does not apply.
Light- vs. Medium-Duty Flatbed—Know the Difference
Light-Duty Rollback (No CDL)
- GVWR 19,500 – 26,000 lb.
- Hydraulic brakes
- One-car aluminum deck
- Examples: Jerr-Dan MPL-NG, Chevron Renegade
Best for: Local AAA contractors, small impound lots, dealership service calls.
Medium-Duty Flatbed (Class B CDL)
- GVWR 26,001 – 33,000 lb.
- Air brakes, steel deck, 20 ft+
- Winch capacity 20,000 lb.
- Picks up crew-cab pickups, Class C motorhomes, small buses
Best for: CHP rotation lists, municipal fleet contracts, Caltrans callouts.
Heavy “Flatbed” Myths—When You Jump to Class A
California has no true “heavy-duty flatbed tow truck.” Once you’re moving Class 8 tractors (which is a semi-truck tractor), double-drop trailers, or motorhomes with tag-axles, you’re in heavy-recovery land, usually a rotator or boom wrecker. These rigs often tow the disabled truck and/or its trailer, creating a combination vehicle.
The operator needs:
- Doubles/Triples Endorsement (T) if towing combo units
- Tank (N) & Hazmat (H)* when a crippled tanker (box trailers also carry hazmat, e.g. AutoZone) still carries fuel or any hazmat materials at all.
*(H) is a Hazmat, but it is an (X) if it is both tanks AND hazmat.
California CDL Rules That Hit Tow-Truck Drivers
| Regulation | Your Take-Away |
|---|---|
| CVC §27902 Tow Truck Definition | Any truck used for the purpose of towing must comply with CHP safety inspections. |
| CHP Vehicle Inspection Guide 108 | Requires annual BIT inspection for tow trucks ≥10,001 lb. (about 4536.37 kg). |
| CA Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) | For-hire towing carriers collecting payment must hold MCP + CA # on both truck doors. |
| Split-Speed 55 mph | All CDL-class tow trucks >26,001 lb. (about 11793.85 kg) are limited to 55 mph statewide. |
| FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse | Drivers need negative pre-employment test; THC positives require SAP before CDL issuance. |
Flatbed Tow-Truck CDL Training Options
SPCDL vs. Traditional California Tow-Truck Schools
| Feature | Old-School Program | SPCDL Truck Driving School |
|---|---|---|
| ELDT Theory | 80 hrs. in-class, set dates | 100% online — study at home |
| Training Trucks | 3–4 students per day | One Student · One Trainer · One Truck |
| Behind-the-Wheel | 30 min/day, group sessions | 12–16 hrs. private driving |
| DMV Skills Test | Student rents truck | SPCDL brings the same truck you trained in |
| Timeline | 6–8 weeks | ≈ 3 weeks (This will be dependent on how fast you get your permit. Federal rules require a 14-day waiting period after the date of issue before the behind-the-wheel test is taken at DMV. We typically schedule a student 3 to 6 weeks AFTER you receive your permit is issued, but each case could be different. (permit → CDL)) |
How to Obtain Your Class A or Class B CDL
- Call (909) 353-9897 or fill in the Get Started form on our website.
- Pay $1,500 deposit → then your permit study material with your username and password is issued to you within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.
- Pass CDL Permit Test (including a study bank for you).
- Wait 14 days (federal rule) while finishing theory & pre-trip videos.
- Two-Day, One-on-One driving in San Bernardino includes pre-trip, skills, road training.
- SPCDL meets you in the truck you learned in at DMV → first-try pass ≈90 %.
- Air brake is part of Class A & Class B CDL, or you can add Doubles, Tank, or Hazmat endorsements as needed. Hazmat is an extra fee.
Flatbed Tow-Truck Driver Pay in California
| Role | Hourly / Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light-Duty Rollback (Class C) | $18–$24/hr. ($40k–$50k) |
Commission + call-out bonuses |
| Medium Flatbed (Class B CDL) | $26–$34/hr. ($55k–$70k) |
CHP rotation & overtime bump |
| Heavy Recovery (Class A + X/T) | $32–$45/hr. ($75k–$95k) |
Night freeway incidents & hazardous materials > |
| Owner-Op Medium Flatbed | $120–$150/hr. truck billing | Must hold MCP + insurance |
Cities such as Los Angeles, San Jose, Sacramento, and San Bernardino pay at the top of the scale due to traffic density and 24-hr. call volume.
Why California Tow Companies Pick SPCDL
- We are already contract trainers for Bill & Wags, Pepe’s, Wilson, Tri-City, Hayes, Ultimate
- BBB Ethics Award — transparent pricing $4,800 total, no hidden add-ons. Hazmat is an additional fee.
- Flexible Payment Plans + 10 % veteran/first-responder discount
- Manual-shift available (remove “E/64” restriction for heavy recovery)
- Meets CA’s 15-hr BTW rule, exceeds FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training standards
FAQs People Also Ask About Flatbed Tow-Truck CDLs
Do I need a CDL to drive a flatbed tow truck in California?
Only if the truck’s GVWR exceeds 26,001 lb. or you pull a trailer over 10,000 lb. Most medium flatbeds do, so a Class B CDL is required. You will require a Class A if towing a trailer to load vehicles on for profit.
What CDL class is needed for a flatbed that hauls RVs?
A medium-duty flatbed pulling small RVs (<26k) = Class B. If you haul larger motorhomes or pull a pup trailer, you’ll need Class A with Doubles. (If you are towing a vehicle that has a trailer attached.)
Is there a heavy-duty flatbed CDL?
California has no “heavy flatbed.” Heavy-recovery rotators tow combos and require Class A plus endorsements, not a larger flatbed license.
Can I start with Class C and then upgrade later?
Yes. Many operators begin with light-duty rollbacks, then train with SPCDL to upgrade to Class B or A for higher-paying medium/heavy jobs.
How long does SPCDL’s flatbed tow-truck CDL training take?
Average student goes permit → CDL in about 6-8 weeks depending on how fast you get your permit: 7–10 days online CDL classes taken from home, then 2-day driving with your instructor one on one, and finally your DMV test is the same week as your 2-day training.
Ready to Hook, Load, and Roll?
Flatbed tow-truck jobs are all over California, including Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and every CHP rotation list statewide. Don’t watch another driver take your callouts—earn the CDL that towing companies want.
Call Us on (909) 353-9897 or check out our pricing and make a down payment to lock in your training dates.
Online theory, private wheel-time, flexible payments — Start Today with the SPCDL Advantage. Get your Class A CDL or Class B CDL in California.
There is a demand for operating Medium and Heavy-duty tow trucks when you apply to companies with your CDL.
