Air Brake Question For NJ CDL / CLP Holders
Topic 29734 | Page 1
I just got my NJ CDL. The air brake test isn't part of the written Learner's Permit test - it's part of the Pre-Trip Inspection , which is part 1 of the 3-part license test, followed by backing maneuvers and on-road driving. As long as you do your pre-trip in a vehicle with air brakes, you'll do the air brake test (or automatically fail), and won't have any restriction on your CDL. Good luck with everything!
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
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.
Hi Jim. To be clear, you went in to take the written test for your CLP? If so...
Did you only take the general knowledge test, and not the air brake test? If so, that's where the L restriction on your CLP comes from. You must also take the air brake written test for your permit to allow you to drive a commercial vehicle with air brakes.
What James is referring to is part of the in-cab inspection you'll take during your CDL exam. That comes later, though. You won't even reach that point until you take the air brake written test.
Go back to the DMV and tell them you want to take the air brake written test, as well as any other tests you think you may need going forward. (Tanker, hazmat , etc.) There will be a small retesting fee.
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
Dm:
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.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
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.
, and won't have any restriction on your CDL. Good luck with everything! To clarify - you won't have an Air Brakes restriction on your CDL. Similarly if you do your road test on a vehicle with a manual transmission, you won't have an Automatic Transmission restriction.
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.
The air brake test isn't part of the written Learner's Permit test
James, all 50 states are federally required to issue an air brakes written and skills test.
If you are planning to drive a tractor trailer, you must take the general knowledge, air brakes and combination permit tests. The tanker, doubles/triples and hazmat are not required but recommended so no matter what freight needs to be moved, you can haul it.
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
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
I just took my written test for Colorado CLP. Passed. I took the general knowledge first (50 questions), it sent me to the counter and I asked the gal "Is there more? I didn't see any questions much in the way of air brakes and none on combination vehicles". Her boss explained that you take a separate written test for each component, and a separate one for each endorsement. Luckily he was there to explain it. Technically you could get a CLP , without taking the air brakes portion, however you would not be able to drive a CMV equipped with air brakes. So I would definitely go take whatever portions of the test you are missing.
I dont know if its the same in NJ, but at least here in CO, the endorsements (hazmat, doubles/triples, tankers, etc.) dont show up on your CLP but will when you pass the driving CDL test. Since I was skeptical of that and also because I wanted to provide proof to prospective employers that I had indeed passed certain ones, I asked for a printout showing that I passed the two endorsements I tested for as well as an email receipt of passing them.
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
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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.
Thanks for all the replies. I am scheduled to take my written test. The test receipt, which I take with me to the written exam, has an air brake restriction on it.
Hi Jim. Yeah, I think some people missed where you said you hadn't taken any written tests yet. Looking at the NJ web site, it looks like what you do is pay for a test receipt (which you've shown us above), and that lets you takes tests for 180 days (or until you pass everything and get your CLP). My guess is that they use that receipt to keep track of your endorsements and restrictions until you have an actual permit. So it would make sense for it to start out showing the restrictions until you pass the corresponding written test. Anyway, I agree with Davy, I think you're good and you will have an opportunity to take the air brake written test when you show up for your appointment.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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.
Thanks again. Yeah the person at the MVC said that's the way it works, but after watching her process my paperwork I wasn't 100% confident and just wanted to hear from someone who has gone through the process. I've got an interview with a recruiter today, and I take my knowledge test next Tuesday so hopefully on my way.
Thanks to everyone here and also for the info and training materials on the site.
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Hi all,
I recently got my medical card and applied to take the knowledge test in NJ. On the examination test receipt there is an (L) Air Brakes restriction. It was explained to me that this restriction will come off once I pass the air brake portion of the written exam. This is not clearly specified in the NJ CDL manual. Not that I don't trust the random MVC employee, but if anyone could confirm, it would be appreciated.
Be safe
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: