Driving Test

I was wondering if there is away I could rent a tractor and trailer to do my driving test. I live in Amarillo, TX. I have my permit and am just waiting on my physical to complete my general knowledge, air brakes, and pre-trip written tests.

There are places that let you rent a truck for your test but without going through an accredited CDL school it might be hard to find a company that will hire you on.

There are places that let you rent a truck for your test but without going through an accredited CDL school it might be hard to find a company that will hire you on.

Thanks! Would you happen to know any of the companies names that offers the truck rentals? I am planning on going to a local college that offers classes. It's just that I really would like to get it out of the way before I'm able to attend the class.

Thanks! Would you happen to know any of the companies names that offers the truck rentals? I am planning on going to a local college that offers classes. It's just that I really would like to get it out of the way before I'm able to attend the class.

Isn't this Trailer before the Tractor (cart before the horse)? You take the classes so you are able to pass the test. If you have a permit, you need to learn the road skills, and a bit more, before you can take the final CDL road test. And the school might provide the truck for the state test, andyeay.

Don't get ahead of yourself. The school will use their trucks to let you take your CDL tests after the course is finished. To answer where you can rent tractors at. Penske rents tractors. My school leased all of their trucks from Penske.

Tony have you ever driven a tractor trailer before?

Your approach to this is rather unorthodox and likely will only cost you extra money adding no significant advantage. Unless you have prior experience that you didn't mention, my advice is go to your chosen school, learn the basics, graduate, then take you CDL tests.

I'm curious to what type of trucking are you looking to get into? The answer might lead to more questions but it's a start. There is another thread on here about a guy who already has a CDL and is having a hard time getting signed on with a company because he didn't go through the road training essentially. "17 yr CDL...Not enough experience"

Either way school is the best option IMO. If you are thinking it could be cheaper to just rent a tractor-trailer and train with, I would guess someone you know with a CDL, it is more likely to NOT be the cheaper route. Also, personally as someone who is trying to obtain my Class A without going to a school, I am feeling the pressure right now and would have preferred to get it through a school. There are a lot of things that would have just been easier and I would already have it by now. All I can say is that to have someone who is trained as an instructor to train you to get your CDL is the best choice. I already have a Class B with no restrictions. Just at this point I am exhausted with how we went about it and am not 100% sure I can pass the road test, simply because I was not taught how to drive by someone who teaches it for a living. And due to old rules and a dmv mishap I've had a Class A permit for 3 years! They don't call it "the hard way" for nothin'.

We own our own trucks already, hence the "I didn't go to school for training". In reality, it has cost us more money with the fact that I didn't sign up for school. Maybe in a different way but the reality is there, and that's without us having to rent a tractor trailer.

Not that you can't rent a truck - trailer, have someone who meets the DOT FMCSA instructor guidelines to train you in it, schedule a road test, pass the test, start working & make some money. Just more often than not....it isn't that easy. I believe that all of us on this forum - want to see folks succeed, and we try to give our best opinion and advice.

"New" rules are: After you obtain your CDL permit it will be valid for 6 months and after it expires you may renew it one time for another 6 months. After one year of getting your permit (it has now expired) you must wait for another whole year from the expiry date before you may retake the written exams and obtain another permit. Rinse and repeat. Called up my local DMV CDL Road test instructors literally yesterday, and this is what they told me. Now there is a thing about passenger endorsement but I won't go into it.

Well thank you all for your advice. I really do appreciate it. I have never driven a tractor before. The biggest thing I've ever driven would be a 26' uhal. I understand why I should wait until I go to school in order to get the practice. I just would've liked to get it over with sooner. I guess just going to school would be cheaper. I only have to pay $750 for the class. I'll just wait for the next class to start and get trained. Once again thanks for the advice.

$750? now that's a steal of a deal! That would only cover a 1/2 day up here. I do have my doubts about if what you would be paying for would properly prepare you. Seriously.........I hope you are not intending to take a "refresher course"

$750? now that's a steal of a deal! That would only cover a 1/2 day up here. I do have my doubts about if what you would be paying for would properly prepare you. Seriously.........I hope you are not intending to take a "refresher course"

Well the total course cost about $3,680 or something like that. It's a 6 week course. But I qualify for grants so I only have to pay $750. It's at a local college. ( Amarillo College )