Final answer:
CDL stands for Commercial Driver's License, which is necessary to operate large or hazardous vehicles for commercial purposes in the U.S. It requires passing specific tests and maintains standardized qualifications nationally.
Step-by-step explanation:
CDL stands for Commercial Driver's License. This is a type of driver's license required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle weighing more than 26,001 pounds for commercial use, or transport quantities of hazardous materials that require warning placards under Department of Transportation regulations, or that is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
Obtaining a CDL requires a higher level of knowledge, experience, skills, and physical abilities than what is required to drive a non-commercial vehicle. In order to obtain it, one must pass a series of tests that are both written and practical, including a rigorous road test. CDLs are issued by individual states but are standardized across the country to maintain consistency and safety on the road.