Can anyone tell me information on getting a CDL ?

Question

How long it takes? age requirements? anything will help! Thanks!

Answer 1

To get a "restricted" CDL, you need to be at least 18 years old. At 18 years old, you can get a CDL to run only in the state where you're licensed. To get a regular CDL to run cross-country, you need to be at least 23 years old.

You need to go to your local DMV (Deparment of Motor Vehicles) office where you get your regular driver's license and ask for a copy of the CDL Handbook. Depending on the type of driving job you want, the clerk at the DMV will tell you which sections you need to study for your written test.

Go home and study the book!

Call the DMV office to schedule your testing time, and go take the tests. To drive an 18-wheeler you need to study and test on the "general knowledge", the "combination vehicle" and the "air brake endorsement" sections. If you pass all of the written tests, you get an "instructional permit".

The "instructional permit" is good for 90 days. In that 90 days, you need to learn how to operate the vehicle proficiently so you can pass the driving portion of your test. If you do not feel ready to take the driving portion of the test, you can extend your "instructional permit" for 90 additional days but you are required to re-take the written portion of the test and pay the fees for the written tests a second time.

Again for an 18-wheeler, you will need to be able to: pre-trip the vehicle; demonstrate a working knowledge of the vehicle's operation; demonstrate that you can drive the vehicle under normal traffic situations; demonstrate that you can back the combination vehicle at least 50-feet in a straight line; demonstrate that you can back the combination vehicle around a corner to simulate and "alley-dock" situation; and you may be asked to demonstrate the ability to "parallel park" the combination vehicle.

If you can pass the driving portion of your test, you will get your license. In order to pass the driving portion of your test, you need to provide the vehicle that you are testing on -- ie: if you want to test for driving an 18-wheeler, you need to bring an 18-wheeler with you to the driving test.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

KC Warpaint could'nt have said it any better, although when I took my road test in NY State, I didn't have to back around a corner, but did have to parallel park. That was a pain in the rectum.

The best advice I could add to KC's answer is to make sure the vehicle is in tip-top shape and pay attention to everything. Just like your "4-wheeler" road test, you'll be nervous, but just try to relax and you'll be fine. When i first went, I had a small air leak on the air seat mechanism, so they wouldn't let me test. The second test I passed, but got a stern talking to because the observer/administrator kept asking me what the road signs were telling me. I had to say "I don't know" because I was concentrating on getting that large vehicle down the road safely.

Anyhow, good luck and remember that a CDL is a privilege that should be held with utmost respect and care. An 18 wheeler can kill people in a heartbeat w/o even trying, but it is a great feeling to be on the road. I drove for 8 years and loved every minute of it. The worst mistake I ever made was to drop the A endorsement on my license because I didn't have the money when I renewed my license last year.

Answer 3

Well it all depends on what type of cdl you want you can get a class "A" or "B" cdl at a minimum age of 18 which you will be restricted to your own state of residency and where you are liscensed, at the age of 21 you can get you full cdl which will allow you to drive through out the united states the difference between the Classes of cdl are wieght and trailer combinations you also have several different endorsements depending on what you want to drive if you want to drive a tanker you will have to learn how to drive a truck with a tanker trailer as the aspects of driving a truck with liqiud as cargo are different then a dry box you also have to have a airbrakes endorsement which is usually standard if you have a class A liscense if you want a hazmat endorsement you will have to learn about hauling hazmat, i would recommend that if you really want to get your cdl then you need to go to your local dmv and pick up the book for the cdl test study it and take your written test and learn from a trucker dont waste your time or money on going to one of those professional driving schools if you would like you can go to work for several trucking companies that will teach you and help you get your liscense as long as you work for them for a year or two email me and i will tell you of one that is in my town that will hire you and train you so the whole idea of a school that you pay for is worthless my ex wife spent three thousand dollars going to school to get her cdl and the school didnt teach her anything i have my cdl and was also a motor transport operator (88m) in the army

Answer 4

you can get one at age 16 with parents permission.. best to get the booklet and study it for a while, CDL test is among the hardest i have ever seen and i have lived in a few states prior... so study or attend a driving school for more help....

Good luck!

Answer 5

schools usaully last a month and training last's a month to two months. Success rate throughout the entire process is about 70% versus failure

Answer 6

check out www.cristcdl.com. great great site for study guide