How do you obtain a CDL class c license?

Answer 1

In the United States, training may be obtained by completing a qualified CDL training program through a training school which specializes in teaching potential truck drivers the necessary skills and knowledge to properly and safely operate a truck, including map reading, trip planning, and compliance with Department of Transportation laws, as well as backing, turning, hooking a trailer, and road driving. Their primary focus is to help future truckers pass the CDL knowledge and skills tests as well as advanced driving techniques such as skid avoidance and recovery and other emergency actions for situations such as a break away trailer and hydroplaning.

Answer 2

To Be Eligible For An Commercial Drivers License (CDL) you must ...

• Take and pass the mandatory state CDL license examinations that apply to you.
• Be 21 years old (18 years old if ALL of your driving is within your state and you do not transport hazardous materials or drive double or triple trailer rigs).
• Possess a valid medical certificate in accordance with MCSR regs. 49 CFR 391.41 - 391.49.
• Certify that you do not hold a driver license from more than one state and certify that your driver license is not currently suspended, revoked, or canceled in ANY state, nor subject to any of these actions.
• Surrender your current state driver license.
• Provide proof of your identification.
• Pay state CDL testing and licensing fees

Answer 3

There are three classes of CDL. The answer to this question will depend on which class of CDL you're going for, and what you're planning on doing with it.

• Class A: Combinations with a Gross Combination Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs., in which the vehicle in tow has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 10,000 lbs.
• Class B: Single vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs. or combinations with a Gross Combination Weight Rating of more than 26,000 lbs. in which the vehicle in tow has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 lbs. or less.
• Class C: Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,000 lbs. or less. This is used for vehicles which normally would not require a CDL, but are either a: buses designed to transport more than 15 persons (including the driver), or b: vehicles carrying a quantity of hazardous materials which requires placards to be displayed.

How you go about getting one... depends on what class you're going for, and what you want to do with it. You could get a Class A CDL, for example, with an F750 and a 15,000 lb GVW equipment trailer, but you'd get a 'no tractor-trailers' restriction, and wouldn't be able to go drive 18 wheelers over-the-road (or locally). Some companies may be able to get you a Class B or a Class A (to drive Class A combinations other than tractor-trailers) as part of on-the-job training. If you want to drive 18 wheelers, your best option is to go to a truck driving school. The school might first require you to get a learner's permit. So you'd go to the DMV testing facility, and you'd take the written tests for General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles (if going for a Class A CDL), and Air Brakes (if applicable). At that point, you'd have your CDL permit.

Answer 4

Depends on the class of CDL, and the requirements of the company you want to work for. Go to the DMV, get a copy of the CDL handbook. At a minimum, you'll have to take general knowledge (all classes of CDL), air brakes (if applicable), and combination vehicles (Class A CDL), plus any additional endorsements you might need (tanker, hazmat, doubles and triples, or passenger vehicles).

Where to go from there is dependent on your situation and what you intend to do with it. If you're looking to get into a job which requires a CDL as a side function of the job (for example, municipal jobs often require employees to hold at least a Class B CDL, even though driving a truck won't be their primary function), you can often have your training done on-the-job... they'll prep you for the written and road tests, etc. If you're looking to drive tractor-trailer over-the-road, most entry level companies want you to actually attend a truck driving school. Some companies offer an in-house truck driving school with the stipulation that you remain employed with them for a year or so. These companies are often terrible to work for, and we often call them "coolie" carriers, because one basically ends up driving a sweatshop on wheels. But the trucking industry as a whole is headed more and more in that direction, and, to be honest, unless you were in or looking at going into a job which required a CDL as a side function of the job (e.g., oil field rig hands, municipal employees, utilities workers, et. al), and were considering something like over-the-road line haul, I'd say you're better off looking elsewhere... the OTR life is absolutely not worth it, and it's only going to get worse.

Answer 5

The simplest answer would be to go to a truck driving school. These tend to be very expensive, although some companies have their own in-house driving schools, with the condition that the cost is covered if you drive for them for a specified period of time. If you're well connected enough (which I'm guessing you're not), you might be able to take the tests for your permit, then find someone who'll hire you on with a permit and train you to get your CDL.... these are very rare, but not impossible to find.

Answer 6

If I end up with your CDL, chances are, you dropped it somewhere. There's only one time I ended up in possession of someone else's CDL. At a shooting range in Raleigh, an ID of each person on the firing line was held behind the counter until they were finished with their lane. I was unintentionally handed someone else's ID, which was their Class A CDL.

Answer 7

Pass the written General Knowledge test, as well as the written tests for any endorsements you need (with a Class C CDL, you'll need either Hazmat or a passenger endorsement).

If hazmat is the endorsement you need, you need to pass the written test and the TSA background check. You only need to take the road test if you need to be able to drive an air brake equipped CMV.

In the case of a bus, you'll need to take the road test in a bus appropriate to the class of CDL you're going for.

Answer 8

Either a company which will provide your CDL training in-house, or to a truck driving school. There are independent truck driving schools, as well as programmes offered by community colleges.

Answer 9

Attend a truck driving school.