Are you planning to become a part of the trucking industry? Getting your CDL is the first step. But to get one, you need to pass tests and prove your skills. In this post, we talk about all things CDL.
How Hard Is the CDL Test?
The first step in becoming a qualified truck driver is getting your commercial driver’s license. It is a mandatory requirement in the US that allows you to operate commercial vehicles. To get a CDL, you must attend courses provided by schools registered with the TPR. Is trucking school hard? Not harder than any other school if you put effort into studying.
What is required to get a CDL in 2022?
– Driving skill test
– Written exam, above 80%
– Be 21 years old (18 in some states, but you can only work intrastate)
– Be a US resident
– Identity and Social Security number verification
– Complete medical examination, including vision test
– Clean driving record
Note that you can only get a CDL from providers approved by the FMCSA. You can find a list of approved providers in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. A chosen school will provide your training data to the TPR once you have successfully completed their program. Similarly, you must complete behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction from a TPR-approved BTW training provider. Records will also be sent to the TPR. After that, your state’s DMV will enable you to take the official CDL skills test.
How Hard Is the CDL Permit Test
A written permit test is a CLP exam that includes general information about road rules, cargo, regulations, trucks, and other topics. There are numerous free training tests available online. You can take advantage of this by doing some of the practice exams in the days preceding your CDL exam. Also, you can refer to the CDL Manual provided by your state. You can take the quizzes as many times as you want.
If a truck driving career is your goal, then some studying and grinding won’t be an obstacle for you. You can expect questions on the following topics:
– General road rules
– Chaining up
– Electronic logbook regulations
– Hours of Service regulations
– Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) rules for truckers
– What happens on scales
– Cargo security
– Weight & overweight trucks
How Hard Is the CDL Driving Test
After passing a written test and completing training, you will be able to take a driving test. There are three sections in the CDL Skills test:
– Vehicle Inspection Test. You’ll go through a real inspection with the examiner and explain your inspection conclusions throughout this section.
– Basic Control Skills Test. You’ll go behind the wheel and perform a series of basic actions, such as rotating the truck in a specific area, pulling backward and forward, and so on.
– Road Test. You’ll drive the truck and be evaluated on your ability to navigate and successfully execute maneuvers generally expected of a person driving the vehicle on a route specified by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
How Hard Is the Class A CDL Test
Class A CDL is the most common license type for most applicants who want to become a trucker. It is for a combination of vehicles (such as a tractor connected to a trailer) with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more and a towing capacity of more than 10,000 pounds
To pass Class A CDL test, you will need to:
– Complete general CDL knowledge test
– Complete driver training from an FMCSA-approved trucking school
– Bring your own Class A vehicle for the road test
– Apply for endorsement if you want to haul various freights
The only difference is that you need to bring a heavy vehicle and apply for recommended endorsements.
How Hard Is the Class B CDL Test
Class B CDL is another common license for truckers. Class B is needed for the operation of a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more and a towing capacity of no more than 10,000 pounds. Although, it restricts you from getting some endorsements; for example, you can’t have double and triple trailer endorsements.
To pass Class B CDL test, you will need to:
– Complete general CDL knowledge test
– Complete driver training from an FMCSA-approved trucking school
– Bring your own Class B vehicle for the road test
– Apply for endorsement if you have air brakes or want to haul a trailer/tanker.
It may appear challenging at first to pass your CDL test, but it does not have to be. You can pass it by putting hard work, dedication, and a willingness to study into it. Once you get your commercial driver’s license, you will have access to an entire workforce, and your life will become more exciting. Truckers are in high demand right now, and passing your CDL test can become a door into a new exciting career.