Are you planning a career in the trucking industry? The first step is getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
According to reports, about 12.5 million commercial buses and large trucks were registered in 2016, adding to around 300 billion vehicle miles in the US.
How to get a CDL?
Although the process of getting your CDL may seem tedious, it isn’t as complicated as it looks. Before enrolling in a class, you should research what type of training best fits your learning style.
The following article will explain getting a CDL and what to expect during training.
Before you start the process of getting your tractor-trailer license, you should learn about all the commercial driving license endorsements that are available.
More on how to get your CDL?
A standard car license isn’t enough to drive a big rig, and you must get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate large trucks and buses.
So, how to get a CDL? To get your CDL, you will have to take written general knowledge tests for all kinds of vehicles you are interested in driving, pass a skill test specific to the type of vehicle you want to drive, complete CDL training courses and hold a valid Class A, B or C commercial license.
Steps to apply for your commercial driver license:
- Visit the DMV Website
- Find out if you need to take a CDL test at all.
For some endorsements, you may not be required to pass any additional tests, for example, hauling farm products or driving within 150 miles of home.
- Make an appointment with a testing location.
- Study the CDL manual and take a sample test to determine how much you need to study.
- Go to your appointment, take required tests and pass them all with a minimum grade of 80 percent.
- Pay for license fees and endorsements. You must also have an acceptable driving record to be granted a CDL.
- Finally, you can now legally drive any vehicle that requires a Class A, B, or C driver’s license (commercial) in the state of Virginia.
Even if you are applying for the entry-level Class C license with no endorsements, you will still need to pass knowledge tests for driving large trucks and buses.
What to expect during training?
How much will it cost to get a CDL? Well, that depends on whether or not you plan to attend truck driving classes. If you opt for training, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 for courses.
But there are ways you can cut costs. You can look for free CDL training courses or apply for financial aid to help you pay for tuition.
ADIs (Authorized Driver Instructors) is another cost you will consider before enrolling in a training program.
Since they supervise students during on-the-road driving practice, their services aren’t free.
You should expect to pay $20 per hour. But some schools offer discounted rates, so be sure to ask about this when you enroll.
Once you get your CDL, you should also know that the cost of operating a commercial vehicle varies from state to state and depends on factors such as fuel prices, insurance premiums, and traffic violations.
What will you learn in your training program?
a) CDL Curriculum
When you enroll in a school, your training will cover all aspects of driving a commercial vehicle. You will take classes that teach the basic skills and knowledge needed to operate a large truck or bus on the road safely. The following are examples of topics included in the CDL curriculum:
Training Courses
To get a Class A commercial driver’s license, you must complete a training course that lasts approximately one week.
You will learn all about air brakes and how to drive a truck or bus with manual transmission.
As with Class A licenses, you will also need to take a training course that lasts approximately one week if you want a Class B CDL.
In this scenario, your driving practice is done in a vehicle equipped with air brakes and automatic transmission.
Class B Driving Simulator Training Drivers seeking a Class C license must spend two days in a driving simulator and one day riding along with an instructor.
b) What to expect during the skills test
During your skills test, you must show how well you can handle your vehicle on a designated route without injuring or endangering yourself and others. It means you will need to know such things as:
c) What to expect during the cdl road test
The road test is designed to show an examiner that you can handle a large vehicle in real-world conditions.
You will be tested on the ability to maneuver your truck or bus through traffic, make turns safely, and obey all rules of the road.
Conclusion
It is really important and significant to explore and follow all the above described details on getting a CDL. You can also do your own research about it.
