Everything You Need to Know about Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
Everything you need to know about CDL! In order to become a commercial truck driver, you need your Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL). This license will allow you to operate any type of commercial vehicle. But before you can get your CDL, there are some important things you need to know. In this blog post, we'll outline the process for getting a CDL and what steps you need to take in order to be ready for the test. We'll also provide information on the different types of CDL licenses available and what is required for each one. In addition to that we’ll also be providing you with details regarding the recommended CDL schools that you might consider as well as the estimate of expenses throughout the process. So, if you're thinking about becoming a truck driver, read on! You'll find everything you need to know right here.
What is a CDL?
A CDL is a Commercial Driver's License that is required to drive commercial motor vehicles. This license is needed for any drivers that will be operating commercial driving equipment or other types of heavy machinery. To get a CDL, you will need to pass the CDL training courses and a driving test quite like getting a regular driver's license. The first year it was required to carry a CDL was the year 1986 when the Vehicle Motor and Safety Act was passed. Before this, each state had its own laws for driving heavy machinery, causing there to be unnecessary accidents and several road deaths. The new law prohibits commercial driving without the proper CDL license. Even hot shot truckers are required to have a CDL on the road. A CDL is not only a safety measure for those on the road but also for the public in general. It guarantees that those who are driving these large vehicles have had the necessary training and are therefore less likely to cause an accident. If you are planning on becoming a commercial driver, then you will need to obtain your CDL as soon as possible.
What are the types of CDL?
Class A
A Class A CDL is required when you plan to operate any vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 lbs, given that the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds. When you have a Class A CDL, you will be able to operate the following vehicles:
- Truck Trailer Combination
- Tractor Trailer
- Livestock Carriers
- Flatbeds
- Tractor Trailer Bus
Class B
A Class B CDL license is required for anyone planning to operate a vehicle with a total combined weight rating of 26,001 lbs, or more, or a tow vehicle no more than 10,000 pounds. When you have a Class B CDL, you will be able to operate the following vehicles:
- Straight Trucks
- Large Passenger Buses
- Segmented Buses
- Box Trucks
- Dump Trucks with Small Trailers
- Tractor Trailer
Class A or B: manual vs. automatic
When preparing to get your class A or B CDL, be mindful of the transmission you are both training with and applying for. For example, if you are practicing on an automatic vehicle with your CLP and find that the CDL driving test requires you to use a manual transmission, you will likely not have the skills required to pass the test.
Be sure to research for the positions you want to apply for to understand the types of vehicle transmissions are used in that industry or position. If you obtain an automatic CDL, for example, there will be a designation placed on your license that you are only trained on automatic vehicles. This might reduce your chances of getting a job in which manual vehicles are used.
Class C
A Class C CDL license will be required to operate a vehicle made to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver. This license is also needed if you plan to transport hazardous materials or equipment, these include any materials that are rated dangerous under the law. The following vehicles can be operated when you have a Class C CDL license:
- Small HazMAt vehicles
- Combination Vehicles not covered by Classes A or B
- Passenger Vans
What is a CDL permit?
To become a truck driver, you must first obtain a CDL permit. You can do this by passing the general knowledge exam at your local department of motor vehicles. A CDL permit allows you to drive a commercial vehicle in the company of another passenger who already has their CDL license. This is necessary during training in order to get your license. Once you have your permit, you are one step closer to being able to maintain your own commercial vehicle. Obtaining a CDL permit is the key to beginning a career as a truck driver.
CDL Endorsements
Depending on the type of vehicle you intend to operate, you might additionally need to obtain specific endorsements in addition to the CDL classification. Consider a CDL endorsement as a seal of approval for a highly specific competence, like operating a school bus. Although they are not always necessary, endorsements can usually make you a more attractive prospect for jobs and increase your income.
You can earn the following endorsements alongside any CDL:
- Hazardous materials (H): Exam required
- Tank vehicles (N): Exam required
- Passenger (P): Exam and driving test required
- School bus (S): Exam and driving test required
- Double or Triple trailers (T): Exam required
- Tank vehicle and hazardous materials (X): Exam required
CDL Training
If CDL training school is even worthwhile, you might be wondering. Although it is possible to obtain your CDL without attending a training facility, doing so is not recommended. Everyone who has attempted to obtain their CDL without attending a training program quickly learns how challenging it is to drive, operate, and maintain a commercial vehicle. Find a training facility close to you that offers the most convenient hours for you.
How Long is School for CDL?
Truck driver school can be completed in as little as three weeks. The average time to obtain a CDL is anywhere between three and seven weeks. However, like many other details surrounding the CDL completion process, truck driver school requirements will vary by state and depend on the type of school you attend.
What You Need to Know About Your CDL Training
As mentioned, there are different ways to go about truck driver training. One isn't better than the other as long as it is accredited; you just need to choose the type of CDL school that is best for you.
A few things to consider when making your decision are:
- The program and school are they accredited? If so, the institution has received the Department of Education's seal of approval and adheres to rigorous academic standards.
- Is the program and school accredited? If so, it signifies that the Department of Transportation has given the institution its approval based on predetermined standards.
- Is the program and school accredited? If it is, it indicates that the faculty, the course material, and the campus all satisfy the minimal standards established by the state in which you are receiving your education.
- Is the university accredited by the Better Business Bureau? Look into the company's ratings on BBB and other sites that evaluate businesses to assist you in making an informed choice.
- Does the school provide any guarantees or assurances? Can it prepare pupils well enough to pass the CDL licensure test? If necessary, does it provide job placement or additional training?
- What is covered by the cost of tuition? Normally, all required materials, further assistance, classroom instruction, and on-the-road training are included.
- Beware of "FREE" training. These courses are typically not certified.
- Verify the teachers' and trainers' credentials to ensure they are experts in the field and fully licensed.
Here’s What to Expect to Review in Training
- Road signs and their rules and regulations
- Operating and maneuvering trucks
- How to read maps and plan out your runs
- Use of electronic logs
- Pre- and post-trip vehicle inspection
- Over-the-road driving
- Safety procedures
- Coupling and uncoupling a trailer from your truck
- Computer training, depending on the school
Your first 40 hours will be focused on classroom training, but you’ll still be taken outside to do some hands-on learning with trucks. The program builds on itself and moves rapidly until you’re actually training on the road. You may start out with a short highway drive at first, but you’ll work your way up until, for the remainder of your training, you’re on the road.
Once you’re training behind the wheel, you’ll get a deeper look into:
- Turning the vehicle
- Railroad crossing and intersections
- City and highway driving
- Pre- and post-trip inspections
- Testing the brakes
CDL Schools – Recommended CDL Training Schools in the U.S.
In the United States, there are many private CDL schools and community college truck driver training programs. Compared to the paid CDL training alternatives offered by the major trucking corporations, these private CDL training institutions are often slower paced and lengthier. Their objective is to give the trainee more individualized training and attention.
It might be challenging for someone who wants to become a truck driver to determine which school would provide them with the greatest training given the abundance of options and the vast range of program pricing. We’ve gathered testimonials from recent graduates of Community Colleges with targeted CDL training programs as well as private CDL schools.
These might not be the top CDL truck driving schools, though. But it may help you narrow your list of schools when investing your hard-earned money, in a truck driver training school:
Click here to view the list of Recommended CDL Training Schools in the U.S.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Class A CDL?
You can obtain a Class A CDL in as little as three weeks, but the average time to get a class A CDL is seven weeks.
Understand the Fees You Will Have to Pay to Get Your CDL:
Beyond what you paid to go to school for your CDL training, you will be responsible for several other fees that you have to pay when you take your actual CDL test. The following are some of those fees that you should prepare to pay:
- $10 application fee (approximately) to get your learner’s permit for your CDL
- $40 (approximately) to take the CDL road portion of the test (paid every time you take it)
- $5 (approximately) to take the written portion of your CDL exam
- $75 to $100 (varies by state) for the actual CDL (must renew every 8 years in most states)
- $5 to $15 additional (varies by state) for each endorsement you get on your CDL
*fees vary by state these are approximate estimates of fees charged by most states – other fees not listed may apply
These fees will be required for you to complete your CDL training with a learner’s permit and then later to take and pass your CDL test, which is usually required for full-time employment by a carrier.
Things to Consider Before You Get Your CDL
If you think betting on a CDL can open new opportunities for you, you’re right. But driving a 36,000+ pound truck is a significant responsibility. Without a strong history of responsibility, free from DUIs or other drugs, alcohol, or criminal records, it is difficult if not impossible to become a long-haul truck driver. Here is what you need to know!
Meet Specific Requirements
To get a CDL and get hired, you will need to meet specific requirements that demonstrate sound judgment. This includes:
- A clean driving record. However, it doesn’t have to be spotless. A parking ticket or a minor speeding infraction is not enough to block opportunities.
- A clean criminal record. Again, minor offenses may be excusable.
- A clean drug and alcohol history.
- A medical record demonstrating good health.
- Strong employment history and recommendations.
Pass Tests
You will also need to pass the CDL exam. While the exact content of the exam will vary from one state to the next, every CDL exam includes both a written or knowledge section as well as a road test.
As such, the road test contains three parts. The first part of the exam is a pre-inspection test. This is followed by a backing test and a road skills test.
The areas of knowledge covered in the written portion of the test include general knowledge, combination vehicles, and air brakes.
The Actual CDL Test
The CDL test is divided into 2 separate parts:
The Written Part:
The written part of your CDL exam will consist of a total of 50 written questions. You will have a time limit of 60 minutes in which to answer these 50 questions. All questions are multiple-choice and have 4 options for each question given. The best way to prepare for the written part of your CDL exam is to take practice exams online to see if you successfully answer enough questions in time to pass the actual written test when you go to take it.
The Driving Part:
When taking the driving test, you will get given one of 3 versions of this test depending on the class CDL you wish to receive. The CDL test that you get given will be determined by whether you are going for your Class A, B, or C license. The road test in total will take about 2 hours and will include you two sections. One section is displaying knowledge both about how the vehicle operates (i.e., how to turn the car on as well as how to use things like emergency signals, turn signals, etc.). The other part will focus on how to maneuver and drive the vehicle as you will on the roadway.
Only once both portions of the CDL test are passed will you get your CDL and be allowed to begin driving for the truck carrier that hired you (if you were already hired on the condition that you got your license).
Complete Additional Training
If you have any additional CDL training or coursework that is required after you will be required to complete that coursework before you can start driving with the carrier that you have gotten signed on to.
Company Orientation/Company Required Training:
Most companies will likely have an entire orientation program or extensive training that you will have to undergo before you go out on the road on your own as a truck driver. Each carrier is different in terms of how much training they require and how long you will have to go before you complete it. However, completing this training will be required before you start driving on your own.
How to Pass the CDL Exam with Ease
Check the materials from this site: FREE CDL PRACTICE TESTS [2022]
Hopefully your program will be well rounded, and your brain, overflowing, with all the information you need in order to pass the Class A test your first time around.
Also check on these Youtube videos:
Pass your CDL test the first time. Here's how (step by step)
[PART 1] 2021 CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TEST (Questions & Answers)
[PART 2] 2021 CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TEST (Questions & Answers)
[PART 3] 2021 CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TEST (Questions & Answers)
[PART 4] 2021 CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TEST (Questions & Answers)
Advantages of a CDL
The advantages of the CDL include both flexibility and job security. You can choose your hours and routes on a per-job basis or select from regular routes. There is high demand for commercial truck drivers, making it a career that provides a high level of job security.
In addition, for full-time employment, the average starting pay is over $70,000 which is joined by full benefits. It is a career that requires very little training, comes with a low cost of entry, and provides significant room for growth.
What To Expect After CDL Training
You know what it takes to get your CDL. Now, we’ll take a deeper look into what to expect after the certification process.
1. Find A Suitable Carrier.
The first step after completing your CDL training is signing with a carrier. Find a carrier as soon as possible because there will still be a few steps involved before you hit the open road.
What To Look For In A CDL Carrier:
- Pay
- Benefits
- Opportunities/Flexibility
2. Advanced Carrier Training.
Once you’ve decided on a carrier, it’s more than likely the carrier has its own unique training course. This is also considered to be your “next level” of training. A carrier will usually provide additional training until they’re confident you can navigate the road on your own.
3. You’re Ready To Hit The Road!
Now it’s time to take the wheel of your big rig. You’ve decided on a carrier, completed additional training, and you’re ready to begin your career as a professional truck driver. You will have the opportunity to drive using your CDL with your new trucking company.
After a few years of experience, you’ll be able to continue your solo truck driving career or work as a team. In fact, CDL drivers with experience have an opportunity to expand their driving career to different areas (i. e. hazardous material, bus driver, etc.).
Many people view getting their CDL as a gateway to freedom. With a CDL, you can operate any type of commercial vehicle, from a passenger car to a tractor-trailer. You can also choose your own hours and work as much or as little as you want. Getting your CDL is also a great way to make extra money. You can use your trucking skills to start your own business or haul loads for other companies. You can even become a long-haul trucker and see the country while you earn a good living. So if you're looking for a way to gain freedom and flexibility, getting your CDL is the way to go!
AJG Transport is a trucking company that specializes in Class A CDL truck drivers. We provide both local and long-distance trucking services, and we are dedicated to providing the best possible service to our customers. Our drivers are experienced and professional, and they are committed to safety and customer satisfaction. We offer competitive rates, and we are always looking for new ways to improve our service. If you are in need of a reliable and affordable trucking company, AJG Transport is the perfect choice!
At AJG Transport, we understand that not all truck drivers have the same level of experience. That's why we offer a trial basis period for drivers with up to 1 year of experience. This allows us to assess their skills and suitability for our company. We also have several options for our truck drivers, so they can choose the position that best suits their needs. Whether it's a long-haul or local route, we have a variety of options available. And because we're always expanding, there are often new opportunities available as well. So, if you're looking for a trucking company that offers flexibility and choices, AJG Transport is the perfect fit. We offer competitive pay and benefits, as well as the opportunity to travel the country and see new places. If you are a safe and skilled truck driver, we highly encourage you to APPLY TODAY!
AJG Transport Operation Team