Comments By Chief

So the course of action is to study for your D rating and pass those tests. Then with the D rating, I can obtain a CDL permit that will allow me to enroll in a school (or company schooling)? Can a person get a D rating without a road test? Were you able to use your GI Bill for schooling?

A class D license is just a regular ole car driving license. Many states refer to it as a class D license. Some states, like Florida, call it a class E license.

In order to get the CDL permit you already have to have a regular license AND you have to pass the general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles written tests. This is the requirement for Florida and I imagine for many other states, if not all, as well. The CDL permit allows you to drive a combination vehicle (semi-truck) while in training as long as a person with a valid CDL (instructor) is in the truck with you.

I did use my GI Bill to pay for my CDL school. It is school dependent whether or not the GI Bill can be used so you would have to check with the school itself. Most do offer it.

Harry, I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but when you get in school they will probably have cones set up to help you see exactly where you need to be putting the truck while practicing these maneuvers. Don't worry if you run over the cones at first, we've all been guilty of killing a few cones during our training.

Hmmmm....I did step on a cone once during training

Hi Steven. Welcome to the website. I am also retired military, same year 2006, just a bit younger ;).

I know this to be true for active duty military. Is it also true for retired? Do you have a Military Deferral Certificate from the state of Illinois? I would advise contacting the Illinois driver license office to get the straight dope from them.

Regardless of what state you go to school in you will be required to have a CDL permit. Typically, you must have a valid class D license to get that permit (after you pass the tests of course). After you have completed training and passed the road test portion your class D license is converted to a class A license ( or B if that's what you tested for).

My situation: I am 59 years old. I am retired military. I retired in 2006 and am presently working as an Assistant Manager at an auto hobby shop. This is an MWR facility owned by the government. I am located in Germany. I am thinking of venturing into this field as it has always fascinated me. Here are the things that I think may be a problem and some questions.

- My present stateside driver's license at face value is expired. However, the law for Illinois states in the case of military personnel stationed overseas, the license remains valid until 30 after returning to the USA. Will this be a problem in securing a CDL permit? Also, I do not want to live in Illinois, so I will need to set up a new residence (I am leaning toward TX - no state income tax).

I'll just throw in my two cents worth. Between the HAZMAT information provided within this website and the CDL manual for your state, in my opinion, you will be fine for the HAZMAT test for that endorsement without the extra schooling. It's really not that difficult. It's more a matter of what you're more comfortable with.

We are working with a recruiter that is not associated with a company.

Interesting statement. If this recruiter is not associated with a "trucking" company, what is he associated with? A CDL school? What is his vested interest?

I only ask because typically, a recruiter either works for a trucking company or a school. I've not experienced what you are describing.

From bees in Florida to sheep in Montana. That was a weird turn.

So here I am sitting at International Paper in Cantonment, FL waiting to load tall crude oil. Problem is a horde of bees has taken up residence on the loading platform so plant safety has shut it down. I wonder if my company can charge detention due to bees

Good deal G Man! I've been considering May also. Keep us updated on how things with them turn out.

Freightliner is marketing a pretty nifty fitness system for Cascadia and Concord model tractors.

I can post the link if no one minds or you can check it out out CDLLife, then Health & Fitness. FIT system.

I'm sure the other manufacturers or some other aspiring entrepreneur won't be far behind for other makes of trucks.

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully I can get a chance to check one out personally before decision time comes.