How To Make The First Steps To Get Your CDL
Topic 14578 | Page 1
Step 1 Study the CDL practice tests and High Road Training on this Site. All of the CDL Manuals are pretty much standardized across the Country. Federal Regulations! Learn the material, don't try to memorize for the tests. I spent several months on this site and others taking thousands of practice questions. Trust me, it pays off. It is quite simple to transfer your CDL from one State to another. It must be issued in your State of primary residence.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Welcome to Trucking Truth, Mr Smoke!
So you want to travel around the country and get paid to do it, eh? You came to the right place.
For your license, you could start with the state your "regular" license is from. You already have a residence there. If you go to another state, you'll need a residence address in that state. Last year the FMCSA made a rule change so that you could have a permit from one state and take the skills test in another state, with no real problem. I'm not sure how that is being carried out, though. If you talk to a recruiter, they should be able to answer that question.
As for what companies, their main or terminal addresses, and your address, it's not that important. A company will have what is called a hiring area where it is not so hard for them to get you back home for home time. Then again, you can take home breaks almost anywhere your company has business, which would be more to your liking.
However, even if you plan to be a true nomad, most companies will take your residence address into consideration for hiring.
You've been lurking around here, so you should be familiar with our "starter kit":
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
Tractor Man mentioned the High Road training program. That is the course for learning, and passing, your CDL permit. BTW, Tractor Man just got hired by Swift the other day! Living proof that the High Road and Trucking Truth support really works!
Here's some more reading for you:
- Article Category: Choosing A Truck Driving School
- Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing A Truck Driving School
- Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Truck Driving School"
- Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
- Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
- Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Thank you both for the replies and the information....and congrats to Tractor Man.
I've found a wealth of info on this forum and plan on putting it to good use.
My goal is to go to a trucking school (Sage??) rather than a company school; go flatbed with a company such as Melton or Roehl. I haven't talked to any recruiters yet and won't be able to make a commitment until the end of September.
Thanks again.
Howdy all~ I've been in stealth mode on the forum and reading the topics when I can. But, I have a couple questions. A little bit about me first to set the stage.
I'm a 63 year old, retired firefighter. I sold my house about 4 years ago and bought a 45 foot motor home and have been traveling the country ever since. I've registered my vehicles and claimed South Dakota as my "residence" but spend my summers in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and winter in Arizona. So, basically, I'm a nomad and can settle in any State to acquire my CDL and get a Driving job.
I’m not sure I entirely understand the process of obtaining the CDL. Here’s a couple scenarios.
• So, I’m from South Dakota but I want to go to a school…say in Wyoming. Do I get my CDL permit in SD or WY?
• Let’s say there is a job in Arizona. Do I have to change residency and obtain an Arizona CDL?
Where are your vehicles registered and your current drivers license? What address do you use for your Tax Returns, voter registration?
That's what your (current) "domicile state" is going to be.
Some companies require you to obtain the CLP (CDL Permit) in the state they hold the school at, pass and acquire your CDL-A, and then transfer back to your home state.
Keep in mind - wherever your DRIVERS LICENSE is out of - you will have to have your vehicles titled/registered out of that state also.
Most "nomadic folks", opt to have a state with no "personal income taxes" as their "home state", to avoid paying a percentage of your income to support services you don't take advantage of by not "actually living there".
Nomads can also run into issues with licensing states requiring "proof of residency" (bank statements at a mailing address, leases, utility bills, etc.) to prove residency. This becomes a little stricter for folks with CDL's (especially those with HazMat endorsements, that require a BG check).
So there's a little more to choosing a "home state", then just where your CDL is going to be.
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
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Howdy all~ I've been in stealth mode on the forum and reading the topics when I can. But, I have a couple questions. A little bit about me first to set the stage.
I'm a 63 year old, retired firefighter. I sold my house about 4 years ago and bought a 45 foot motor home and have been traveling the country ever since. I've registered my vehicles and claimed South Dakota as my "residence" but spend my summers in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and winter in Arizona. So, basically, I'm a nomad and can settle in any State to acquire my CDL and get a Driving job.
I’m not sure I entirely understand the process of obtaining the CDL. Here’s a couple scenarios.
• So, I’m from South Dakota but I want to go to a school…say in Wyoming. Do I get my CDL permit in SD or WY?
• Let’s say there is a job in Arizona. Do I have to change residency and obtain an Arizona CDL?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: