Prime Stevens WHO

Clearly trucking wont be easy but im as ready as can be and Well since i havent heard anyone mention the written test Does the order go written test, training, till test day or what

And how many questions do you guys think the written test usually has. I heard like 5 tests, 50 questions each that would mean there's a lot of room for faliure.

The number of questions is determined by what you are doing. Most OTR places will have you do Combination, Air Brakes, and General Knowledge. Then you can either get passenger, tanker, hazmat , doubles and triples, and I think one other that I'm forgetting. The school that I went to had us take our written test on day 2 to get it out of the way. then it was 3 weeks of intense practice until test day.

This is how it all works, as I understand it.

You generally want to start studying right away for the written test. The written test allows you to get a CLP. That CLP allows you to start driving when accompanied by a driver who is qualified to operate the vehicle that you are driving.

Some schools will take you on before you get your CLP, but you just need to do written tests for the CLP. Study on your own using the resources on this site and your State CDL manual so you are ahead and can focus more on the advanced stuff and actually driving when you are at school. School length can vary, but typically runs around 160 hours with 120 spent in a truck. This can vary though so talk to whoever has been assigned as your adviser to get specifics on how long schooling will run.

Once you have your written tests done, have your CLP for at least 14 days, and have completed school, you can do the Skills Test. The skills test is what you do to get your actual CDL. It involves three parts; Pre-Trip Inspection , Basic Controls, and Driving.

Once you have your full CDL, whatever company you chose to go with will typically start your training. You drive and live in a truck with a trainer for weeks to months, depending on company policy and how well your trainer thinks you could handle yourself without a trainer.

Remember that schooling is not training. Schooling usually happens in between getting your learner's permit (CLP) and full license (CDL) while training doesn't start until after you have your full license.

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For your question about questions on the written tests, here is the breakdown of the basics for my state.

CDL C = 50 General Knowledge questions

CDL B = 50 General Knowledge questions

CDL A = 50 General Knowledge questions

These are all the same. You just do 50 General Knowledge questions one time to get you CLP. You do not need to do 50 + 50 + 50. CDL B lets you drive C so you don't need C if you are getting a B. A lets you drive B and C, so you don't need B or C if you are going for A.

CDL A also requires 20 questions about Combination Vehicles.

Beyond the required General Questions and the additional Combination questions for getting your Class A, there are endorsements. You can add these to your license at any time by taking written tests, with an additional skills test required for Passenger and School Bus. Every endorsement, except Air Brakes, has 20 questions.

You do not need to get any endorsements to get a CDL A, but it could be very hard to find any work as a CDL A driver without an Air Brakes endorsement, since just about anything you would likely drive with your CDL A will have Air Brakes equipped. Air Brakes have a written test that is 25 questions.

With General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles, and Air Brakes, you are set up for your CDL A with 95 questions. That is your CDL A bare minimum to be employable for basic jobs.

The Tankers, Hazardous Materials, and Double Trailer endorsements are generally recommended because, not only is it good information to know and can open up more jobs for you, but you also may get a pay increase just for having extra endorsements even if you are not putting them to use. Since they are non-skill test endorsements, you just have to do some studying and answer 20 questions for each of them. If you don't get them right away though, remember that you can just add them later by taking their corresponding written test.

Check with the recruiter for any company that you are considering to see what endorsements they will require. Make sure to ask, even if they don't require them, if they pay extra if you have them, or if they have jobs in the company which are not entry level but could open up for you later on which would require endorsements.

As a minimum though, they will require a CDL A (General Knowledge and Combination Vehicle) along with an Air Brakes endorsement, but anything beyond that is going to depend on their policies. Taking advantage of bonus pay, or being ready to pop right into a job when it opens because you had the proper endorsements already can be worth some extra studying and answer a few extra questions now.

Remember that the information I just shared about tests and number of questions for each is for my state. Check your local state's DMV website for information on the testing you will have to do.

Hi, Vet, welcome to Trucking Truth.

You will need a CDL-A permit (means the written test) before you start school. Note: some companies get you to a school and prepare you for the written test themselves.

But your own preparation will make this so much easier. Here's some reading material to help you understand what you're getting into:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

The first two tell you about trucking Life. The High Road program will get you so up-to-speed on the CDL written test you won't need to sweat it any.

You use the handle "Vet". Are you a veteran? If so, many trucking companies will add benefits for you. Depends on the company, but anything from free tuition to bumped up years of seniority (which means extra pay early on).