Profile For Darrell G.

Good to hear about the reciprocity between states. I thought maybe there was another hoop I would have to jump through to have that permission.

I'm not sure if this an option for you, but worth looking into.

You may qualify for a non commercial A class license. I'm not 100% sure about this, but worth looking into at your local dmv.

Thanks, didn't know that even existed, will definitely look into it!

Yeah, the horror stories of greedy local government are what led me to the decision to obtain a CDL, it's a damn shame. I've been driving this setup locally for years under farm plate regs but now that I want to drive outside of the allowable distance under those regs I must now have special permission... sad.

If I can't take the CDL driving test in the setup requiring me to obtain the license in the first place (more ridiculousness), do the testing sites provide this class 8 vehicle? It feels like a setup, there's very little chance of passing a driving test in a vehicle I've never even seen before the test, especially since I've never really driven a truck like that before. It's not that I can't learn and learn quickly but when you don't own the vehicle you're required to test in, or I should say, if they won't let you take the test in your own vehicle (the very one requiring you to take the test in the first place) they are very much setting you up for failure. This quote is from this website under the Indiana section "It's important that you test in the type of vehicle you intend on driving, otherwise there might be restrictions on your CDL"... Well, I'd love to BUT apparently I can't.

I imagine this is one reason why all the schools started in the first place.

For me, this is infuriating, I can understand being tolerant of the process and all the meaningless hoops that one has to jump through if you're making this a career but not for people like me, it does nothing but **** me off. Unfortunately, being ****ed off won't get me any closer to getting my equipment home... I recon I will just study my butt off, take the written test and ask them all my driving test questions.

So this will no doubt be a silly question to the veteran driver but if each different state has their own rules/regs/requirements for CDLs, how do you guys manage interstate travel without having a CDL in every state you drive through? Is there some sort of carte blanche part of the licensing? Are there stipulations or states that won't recognize an Indiana CDL? It only seems logical to me that a CDL would need to allow one to drive in all states or it would be kinda pointless but that's another naive question/comment.

I appreciate you all letting me vent and answering all the newbie questions.

Thanks for replying. I was always under the impression that a Class "A" CDL was only for semi drivers and never imagined a guy in his pick-up hauling a gooseneck would need one. Am I correct in saying that I would need a full on Class "A" license or is there a lower one I should shoot for? I guess a different perspective on that is... if I'm required to get a Class "A" but then take the test in my pick-up/gooseneck combo, would that still make me legal to be driving 18 wheelers, that doesn't compute with me, oh wait... that's where the endorsements come in huh? I imagine I'll have some sort of endorsement that allows me to only drive the setup that I test in? Sorry guys/gals, still learning.

Good advice on the testing! I got the CDL manual from the BMV, I'm guessing that's where one would go for the written test yeah? But I'm also guessing I go somewhere else for the driving portion?

Thanks for answering what probably seems like silly questions to career drivers.

Hello everyone, I'll start off by saying I've decided to go ahead and get my CDL simply to curb possible nightmares from law enforcement. Let me explain... I will be hauling personally owned heavy equipment on my personally owned dual tandem gooseneck with my personally owned F550 from my current home in Indiana to my homestead in Montana and will not be "for hire" or haul "commercially" in any sense of the word (ever).

The combined GVWR will be over 26,000 lbs and my load will be over 10,000 lbs. Every law enforcement official I've asked says I am not required to hold a CDL license because I simply don't meet the criteria due to not being "commercial" however, I've heard enough horror stories about people like me getting hassled, impounded, ticketed, etc. to make me feel like I need to get this license simply to be able to get to my destination unadulterated by the authorities.

I currently live and have my normal drivers license in Indiana, do I need to / should I go through a school? I'm not making this a career or anything, I just want to get my heavy equipment to my new homestead in Montana. Also, since my weight puts me into the class A category, will I be expected to take the driving test in an 18 wheeler (which I don't own) or will they allow me to take the test in my truck hauling my loaded trailer? Lastly, how do I use the permit to "practice with a licensed driver" when I don't know anyone locally with a CDL, do I have to hire someone or is that where the courses come into play? Gosh, I don't want to spend a ton of money just to get my CDL for a few trips to never use it again, that just seems silly, thoughts???