CDL Test

People considering a career as a tractor-trailer driver will need a Commercial Driver‘s License, or CDL. A CDL is required for many jobs driving any big truck such as sanitation or a dump truck, or a school bus.

Before confirmation of the CDL was issued, every state had their own principles for truck drivers, and truckers would get their license from their home state. This appeared as a very big drawback since many truckers who lost their license for offenses such as speeding or driving while intoxicated could apply and get a driver’s license in another state and keep on trucking. Many drivers had several licenses. This loophole allowed many irresponsible and dangerous drivers to keep driving, and the federal government finally cracked down, resulting in a national system, which gave us the CDL.

Though most people train for their CDL at truck driving schools many acquire them on their own. The CDL is a much harder test to pass than the regular driver’s license test as the actual road test has to be taken in a big truck and the written portion is much more extensive, requiring a much deeper knowledge of traffic rules and regulations. The CDL test is more expensive than the regular driver’s tests and hence it is better to avoid repeated failing and retaking the CDL test. Most of the people appearing to take the CDL test have to rent a truck for the test. It is highly recommended that those appearing for the CDL test make use of the study guide in order to help them pass.

A person operating any of the following vehicles needs the CDL permit for driving:

• Any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds;
• Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds;
• Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is not a class A or class B vehicle, but that either is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers including the driver;
• Any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver;
• Is transporting hazardous materials for which placarding is required under subpart F of 49 C.F.R. part 172;
• Any single vehicle or combination of vehicles that is designed to be operated and to travel on a public street or highway and is considered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be a commercial motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a motorized crane, a vehicle whose function is to pump cement, a rig for drilling wells, and a portable crane.

The federal law requires that a person must be at least 18 years of age to hold a CDL. It is illegal for a commercial driver under the age of 21 to drive across state lines, transport hazardous materials or transport interstate freight (e.g. mail) within the state.

A person wishing to learn to drive commercial motor vehicles must first get a commercial driver's license instruction permit. The CDL instruction permit can be obtained only after a person passes the CDL general knowledge exam and the other knowledge exams for the vehicles that they want to drive. For example, if a person wishes to learn to operate a tank vehicle and a passenger bus, he must take the general knowledge exam, the tank vehicle exam and the passenger vehicle exam. In case of a person wanting to learn to drive a school bus, he must take the general knowledge, school bus and passenger vehicle exams.

The CDL instruction permit does not allow a person to drive a commercial vehicle of the class and type shown on the permit unless a person licensed to drive the same type of vehicle is with him. It is crucial to hold the CDL instruction permit a minimum of 30 days or show successful completion of C.D.T.S.

It is necessary to get your CDL for the class vehicle a person plan to drive plus and the needed additional endorsements.

A person wishing to obtain the CDL permit can do so by completing the following items:

• Show the driver's license from his State of Residence.
• Take and pass all written examinations that apply to his license class and endorsement requirements.
• Show proof of social security number.
• Meet driver record eligibility requirements as determined by the State
• Fill out an application including certifications.
• Show proof that he had passed the required written tests, pass a vision screening, and show proof of a valid DOT medical certificate (BEFORE a CDL Temporary Instruction Permit will be issued and before he will be allowed to the skills test).
• Pay the CDL fees.
• Schedule, take, and pass the CDL skills test.

Types of vehicles requiring a CDL

A pesron must get a commercial driver license (CDL) to operate the following types of vehicles:

• All single vehicles with a manufacturer's weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more.
• All trailers with a manufacturer's weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, if the gross weight rating of the combined vehicle(s) is 26,001 pounds or higher.
• All vehicles designed to transport 16 or more persons (including the driver).
• All vehicles that carry hazardous materials.

Types of CDL

Commercial vehicles are divided into three size classes: A, B, and C. in case the person applying for the license plans to carry passengers, haul hazardous materials, or drive double-trailer, triple-trailer, or tank vehicles. He will need a special endorsement.

The Commercial Drivers License (CDL) examinations include a General Knowledge written examination that everyone must pass, without regard to their particular Class of License, ie: Class A, Class B, or Class C. There are also (6) additional written examinations covering endorsements such as combination vehicles, double/triple trailers, air brakes, passengers, hazardous materials, etc. It is crucial to pass the endorsement examinations that apply to the person’s particular class of driving requirements. It is also necessary for those applying for the CDL to take the Driving Skills examination, the major portion of which, involves pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections and basic control skills.

CDL License Classes

There are three classes of commercial driver's licenses: Class A, B and C. Drivers of vehicles that do not fall in Classes A, B, or C will be issued Class D (non-commercial) licenses

Class A - Combination vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds. A driver with a Class A license may, with the proper endorsements, operate vehicles requiring a Class B, C or D license.

Class B - Single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle 10,000 pounds GVWR or less. A driver with a Class B license may, with the proper endorsements, operate vehicles requiring a Class C or D license.

Class C - Vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR less than 26,001 pounds. Class C is strictly for vehicles designed to carry 16 or more people (including the driver), or carry hazardous materials requiring the vehicle to display placards. A driver with a Class C license may also operate vehicles requiring a Class D license.

Many states make exceptions for farm vehicles, snow removal vehicles, fire and emergency vehicles, and some military vehicles.