Class, Eh? (CDL-A)
Still here? Good!
OK so you are wondering well what the heck do I have to actually do to get a class a CDL? Don’t worry.
Do these nine things and shoot me an email telling me how they went.
Boom- you are a truck driver now. You’re welcome.
Overview of Steps to Obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL):
Eligibility Check: Ensure you meet the age and health requirements set by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). And various things like not having narcolepsy, making sure you have a CPAP machine if needed, and not having medication’s that would interfere with driving are all important.
CDL Manual Study: Obtain your state’s CDL manual from the DMV or their website and study it thoroughly. It contains essential information for the CDL written test.
CDL Learner’s Permit: Visit your local DMV office to apply for a CDL learner’s permit. You’ll need to pass a written knowledge test.
CDL Training: Consider enrolling in a CDL training program or driving school. This is especially helpful for hands-on skills training. I am pretty sure most states, possibly every state, requires an official CDL course at this point. Whether it is through a company or a local community college or federally approved driving school, you will need to check with your state to be 100% sure.
Practice Driving: Gain experience by practicing with a CDL holder who can mentor you in various driving scenarios. If you have a friend who is a truck driver and they can walk you through shifting or let you see what the inside of a truck looks like or take you on a trip, take full advantage of that situation to get an idea of whether or not it is for you before you spend any money on learning.
Skills Testing: Schedule and pass a skills test, which typically includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic control skills test, and an on-road driving test. Be sure to check out my notetaking section, a lot of people struggle with the pre-trip inspection, which is a crucial part of getting your license. I think my pre-trip inspection for Virginia testing was 312 items, and I heard Oklahoma was something like over 500 things that you need to mention on the truck to the DMV instructor. Practice practice practice.
Endorsements: If needed, take additional tests for specific endorsements (e.g., hazardous materials, tanker, doubles/triples). I highly recommend getting every single endorsement at the time that you take the test. Even if you have to go back a few times to make sure that you get all of the endorsements, it is well worth it and especially if you want to get hired on at the best companies, they are all résumé boosters. I have never hauled doubles or triples, or driven a tank truck, but all look good on a résumé, and interestingly enough, there are flatbed materials that count as tanks and also hazardous materials, two things that I did not think I would be hauling, but was glad to be able to.
Application: Visit the DMV with the required documents and fees to apply for your CDL.
Obtain Your CDL: Once you’ve passed the skills test and met all requirements, you’ll receive your Class A CDL.
Seriously, it is not overly difficult to get your Class A CDL. It does require a lot of studying and dedication, and you are going to need to get a state approved training course under your belt.
Many of the starter companies that I listed under the company choices article WILL pay for your CDL school if you sign on to work with them for a year, but I highly recommend if you are able to take out a loan borrow the money do whatever you can to get your class a CDL through your local community college or driver training school so that you are not stuck at the company that you first sign up at.
Websites for Getting Your CDL:
These are all additional places you can learn more about how to start up and get your CDL.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
TruckingTruth
CDL Career Now
DMV.org - CDL Guide
CDL Training Today
Top 5 Apps for Studying to Get Your CDL:
Highly recommend using the study apps, they are all as far as I know drawing from official DMV tests, and although there are maybe 100 questions on the study app, you will only get about 30 of the questions on your actual test, so it is well worth going through as many of the test questions as possible as many times as possible so that you quickly recognize the correct answer when you see it at the DMV.
CDL Prep: CDL Practice Test & Study Guide
CDL Practice Test 2023 Edition
DMV Genie: CDL Prep and Practice
TruckingTruth’s CDL Practice Test
CDL Study Buddy
CDL Application Checklist:
Your CDL school should do a triple check to make sure that when you guys all go together to the DMV to take this test, you have all the paperwork necessary. Turn this into a little checklist on a folder and make sure that it is all in your folder, clutch it to your chest, with white knuckles, and try to stay awake at the DMV. I would add a few letters or bills that are sent to your house with your name and address on them just in case they decide to be ridiculous that day. If you have a passport, I would bring that also. I would bring every single form of ID you have, and then some.
Proof of identity (e.g., valid driver’s license or ID card)
Social Security card or equivalent proof
Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill or lease agreement)
Medical examination certificate (issued by a certified medical examiner)
CDL learner’s permit (if applicable)
Payment for application and testing fees (varies by state)
Any required documentation for specific endorsements (e.g., hazardous materials endorsement)
Please note that specific requirements may vary by state, so it’s crucial to check with your local DMV or equivalent agency for the most up-to-date information and any additional documents needed. There are only so many DMV commercial truck testing facilities so there’s a good chance that your commercial truck driving school instructor will know who it is that will be giving you a test, or at least they should be able to give you some tips. They won’t be able to help you while you are doing the testing, however, so run drills with other students or do whatever you need to do to avoid getting nervous on testing day.