CDL's

[Kojak]

I am reading up on getting one, is the exam as hard as they say it is..?

[linkitup79]

not hard at all alot of common sense driving questions. if your want your class A licence i think it was a three part test. (Driving-Airbrakes-Trailer) make sure you read all the sections they ask quite a few numerical questions on air brake pressures, tire tread depth, Good Luck
-Justin

[baddest434]

i'd guess it would depend on what clas CDL you want. i got a class b CDL the test was realitively easy alot of common sense stuff. but i would imagine a haz-mat license or one to drive a tractor trailer would be a little harder. they give you a book to study from then the test is on a computer. good luck

[Kojak]

So I'm guessing I don't have to enroll for a CDL training class, but the test would be easier if I did. I think I might do it, it would come in handy for my summer job...

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

I'm also curious as to what you have to do or the difficulty of a b-class with a possible air-brake endorsement.
I'll be 18 this summer and would like to do so around that time.

[nj85z28]

the class b was fairly easy. the air brakes is a seperate test. the hardest part is the pre-trip inspection

[deadtrend1]

There is no need to enroll in a class unless you have no access to a vehicle to practice with or have no one to teach you.

I got my class B w/ air about 3 years ago. Just go to the DMV and get the book and read ...and read ... and re read...... then re re read. Take the computer test and they schedule a road test. The B is easy, mainly the pretrip inspection will be the hardest thing to study for.

Then I went and got my class A a year later. I only had a Freightliner columbia class with a extended sleeper and a 48" spread axle single drop trailer. Basically, its the worst thing i could have used in the road test. But I only ran over 1 cone. (either run over the cone, or drive in the grass since the truck was too big for the parking lot... :lol:)

I don't have a hazmat, but you gotta be retested every 2 or 4 years for that. No tank, but wouldn't mind getting that incase I need it in the future. I don't plan on driving buses so no need for the "passenger" endorsement.

The more endorements you have, the more your license costs to renew.

But the first step is to go to the DMV and get the book and start reading.

[deadtrend1]

what a coincidence, just got my reminder to renew my license in the mail today ... $60.00 ... :roll:

[EchoMirage]

i have a B with air brakes. got it around 6-7yrs ago. havent needed it in the past 5, but i keep it up, just in case. the test isnt hard, not much harder then a regular one. the road trip, as long as you can drive safely, is fine. the pre-trip, just go over the book, and do everything you can think of. the air brake test, unless they changed it, is nothing more then a leak-down test and function test. the hardest part is finding a truck to take the test with. thats why you might need to enroll somewhere, unless you know someone willing to lend the truck.

[oh one ls1 SS]

just got mine in march and its not that hard.. for class A you need to take the air brakes, general knowledge and combination to get your permit and you need to go on the road test ofcourse. i went to Smith and Solomon driving school to get mine because i didnt have access to a truck. all i did was read the book and do the practice tests they gave me and it was cake. i have all my endorsements (double's and tripples, tankers, and hazmat) and those tests wernt that hard..but hazmat was a bit confusing. as for the pretrip inspection (including the brake test and in cab inspection) its pretty easy once you know what you have to say and what to say about it. and whatever you do.. TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE TRUCK WHENEVER YOU GET OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! the kid that went before me failed because he got out to do his pre trip and left the truck rinning. if you have any more questions just ask

[GREZ28]

I guess everyone forgot to mention how much it is now to get one.. CDLb was $1500 in 2001 now its $3000. A class was $3000 in 01, now its $5000. I guess I was lucky cause everything change after 911.. So be prepared with a fat check too. Good thing about truck driving is that you could always find a job. Good luck.:wink:

[deadtrend1]

I guess everyone forgot to mention how much it is now to get one.. CDLb was $1500 in 2001 now its $3000. A class was $3000 in 01, now its $5000. I guess I was lucky cause everything change after 911.. So be prepared with a fat check too. Good thing about truck driving is that you could always find a job. Good luck.:wink:

That how much schools cost? Damn!!! Only thing I had to pay for was renewing my license

[87GTA]

just got mine in march and its not that hard.. for class A you need to take the air brakes, general knowledge and combination to get your permit and you need to go on the road test ofcourse. i went to driving Smith and Solomon school to get mine because i didnt have access to a truck. all i did was read the book and do the practice tests they gave me and it was cake. i have all my endorsements (double's and tripples, tankers, and hazmat) and those tests wernt that hard..but hazmat was a bit confusing. as for the pretrip inspection (including the brake test and in cab inspection) its pretty easy once you know what you have to say and what to say about it. and whatever you do.. TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE TRUCK WHENEVER YOU GET OUT OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! the kid that went before me failed because he got out to do his pre trip and left the truck rinning. if you have any more questions just ask

WOW one thing i have to say is that i guess i am not the only one with a CDL on this site!! and wow we have another Smith and Solomon school graduit!! i went to one around my area like 2yrs ago and man i have been loveing truck driveing!! it's fun and you make awsome money!!...OH and if you get any CDL in NJ under 21 you can't drive out of state!!

[enRo]

I got my class B w/air brakes... the written test, at first, was hard... thats cuz i didnt read the book. Altho I did get a 100% on the air-brake endoursement. I also have my trailer endorsement. Second written test I passed with a 98%. Got my permit, drove garbage trucks around for 6 months (8 speeds) and took a small dump truck to my road test. I passed with flying colors. And like oh one ls1 mentioned, pretrip is a key part in the road test. You miss one or two things you wont be doing the driving part of the road test, and you are guaranteed to fail if u leave the key in the ignition.

Honestly, you dont need school if you work at a place where there is class B vehicles. Ive worked for the town for 5 years before I got my CDL, so I knew all the tricks and stuff to do even before taking the test.

[Teds89IROC]

where you working Sal?

[ar0ck]

I think hes looking into this for DPW work for the summer.

[Kojak]

I think hes looking into this for DPW work for the summer.

Yup, I'm working for the shade tree dept. and if I had a CDL I would be able to drive the other trucks whenever they need someone to drive but if I did go through with it by the time I get it the summer would be half over.

PS: It was my first day today and with the weather the way it was I got 4 hours over time...