Who has their Class A CDL?

dieselcrawler · Jan 8, 2016

Took the first steps to my CDL today. Though I could just go take the test at the local DMV office, but found out I have to mail in my identity papers, medical card, application, and of course money, to the state DMV office, then wait for a test form to be mailed back, then go to the local DMV office to take the test for a learners permit. Hoops I tell ya, hoops to jump through.

bindian · Jan 9, 2016

dieselcrawler said:
Took the first steps to my CDL today. Though I could just go take the test at the local DMV office, but found out I have to mail in my identity papers, medical card, application, and of course money, to the state DMV office, then wait for a test format to be mailed back, then go to the local DMV office to take the test for a learners permit. Hoops I tell ya, hoops to jump through.

WOW..........that's a lot. I just walked in and asked for a manual to study. Then showed up a few weeks later and showed my IDs and took the online at the DMV.
hugs, Brandi

Btown · Jan 9, 2016

aczlan said:
Not so. From the Mass website: So, you are legal because you are under 26K GVWR for the truck and trailer combination. If your combination GVWR is over 26k, you are NOT legal. Aaron Z

The RMV gives a very basic definition for what one would need a CDL for. There are many exceptions. First off the vehicle you are driving has st be used for commercial purposes and not a personal vehicle as described in the laws.

For some reason I can only attach one picture per message.

Btown · Jan 9, 2016

So at least in Massachusetts your vehicle has to fit in the definition of either commercial motor vehicle or passenger. Your license can be Class D even if you surpass 26000 gvw if not used for commercial purposes. That is the reason for the license is commercial use. I'm not going to say what other states allow or dong. But in Massachusetts you are absolutely fine if you are not using your vehicle for commercial purposes.

I wouldn't try to drive a tractor trailer truck and say it's for personal use. But farmers in MA are 100% exempt, for farm use. That does include tractor trailer use, but it has to be for farm use. There are several other exemptions.

dieselcrawler · Mar 11, 2016

After getting all my paperwork in order, I was able to take my permit test today. 4 parts, all I passed easily except for the air brakes section, had it gotten one less question wrong, I would have passed it too... retake it in one week.

George2615 · Mar 11, 2016

aczlan said:
IF the truck has a GVWR below 16k (ie: a 12k GVWR truck) you can haul a larger trailer (a 12k GVW truck can tow a 14k trailer).

Aaron Z

And in NY you can do that with no CDL meaning you only need a regular class D license. Any combination as long as the GCWR is not over 26,000K.

MesaAZguy · Mar 11, 2016

I have had my CDL since I was 23. In 1993, the hoops were little to none. I still have my CDL although I haven't driven professionally in years. In AZ, the license expires every 5 years and the medical card needs to be renewed every 2 years.

Tractorboy88 · Mar 11, 2016

South Carolina Class A with HAZMAT and Tanker endorsements. Only restriction is corrective lens.

Copperhead · Mar 22, 2016

I scored a December of 2014 when I renewed my Class A CDL. The state was doing a "lottery" kind of thing where they would randomly select the years of renewal of the license. I got an 8 year renewal. I don't carry hazmat anymore and don't fool with the stuff, so it is nice to not have to see the DMV till 2022.

dieselcrawler · Mar 22, 2016

I was able to take (and pass!) my CDL written tests with tanker endorsement, so I now have my CDL learner's permit. It is good for 6 months, and after 2 weeks I can take the road test if I want. That will depend on several factors, the biggest issue getting a truck and trailer with fully licensed co-driver available at the same time during which a test spot is open.

ShowroomShine · Mar 22, 2016

I got mine in 2014 to be able to deliver new machines to customers myself. Class A. Transferring it to NC in a few weeks.

RedNeckRacin · Mar 23, 2016

dieselcrawler said:
I was able to take (and pass!) my CDL written tests with tanker endorsement, so I now have my CDL learner's permit. It is good for 6 months, and after 2 weeks I can take the road test if I want. That will depend on several factors, the biggest issue getting a truck and trailer with fully licensed co-driver available at the same time during which a test spot is open.

Congratulations!

MesaAZguy · Mar 23, 2016

Congrats Greg!
Its always good to have something you may need down the road. I kept my CDL for years even though I do not plan to drive pro for now.

Cpenn481 · Mar 23, 2016

In 2001 I shut down my business. That business owned 3 trucks for transporting our own products to shows. I had no license and knew nothing about "real" trucking. I had to do something so I sold 2 trucks and went to school for 3 weeks because I knew I was too lazy to study for the written. My cousin helped me get started with the business end of trucking and I have never looked back. I still run my own deal and regularly haul tractors from both Kubota and JD out of Georgia and New Holland stuff out of Pa. Also do JD out of Iowa and Illinois. Also do a lot of military equipment and aircraft engines and other parts for GE, Boeing, Pratt and Witney and some airline stuff. Having a CDL has been good to my family. It put my daughter through Law School and now my son drives for me too. Government regulation gets tougher every year and it would be nice if I could say all the new regs make the roads more safe but the truth is it doesn't and just makes drivers and companies have to jump through more hoops and spend more money. I run all of North America except for Mexico. Yes I go to Alaska too. A new guy in this biz can starve to death but if he keeps his or her eyes on the big picture it does eventually pay off. If you are just getting started I wish you well.

dieselcrawler · Mar 23, 2016

Thanks to all...

I am getting my CDL so I can be a more well-rounded employee, but not interested in over-the-road trucking, or even driving big rigs daily. However, i do hope to be able to fill in for drivers at my work, be it in the hot-shot truck, or other big trucks. As a mechanic in our crew truck shop, I simply want to add some variation to my daily routine. The more things I can do, the better my chances of keeping my job and better pay.

Tractorboy88 · Apr 11, 2016

Get those credentials yet?

dieselcrawler · Apr 12, 2016

I have only had the chance to get out on the road once so far. I can't expect my employer to let me just go drive and not do the job I was hired for, just to get drive time in... it has to be when things in my shop are slow, and it's a local run. I did get to make a run in a rollback last week, drove back from delivering an excavator to a job.

dieselcrawler · Mar 4, 2017

After nearly a whole year, I snuck in a little off-the-clock drive time, and took the test earlier this morning. Lucked out, getting easy test maneuvers, and despite my lack of skill shifting an 18 speed in a Kenworth, passed the test.

FredH · Mar 4, 2017

dieselcrawler said:
After nearly a whole year, I snuck in a little off-the-clock drive time, and took the test earlier this morning. Lucked out, getting easy test maneuvers, and despite my lack of skill shifting an 18 speed in a Kenworth, passed the test.

Congratulations :thumbsup:

I really like what You wrote about being a better , rounded employee . Nice seeing someone looking out for their employer :thumbsup:

Fred H.

dieselcrawler · Mar 4, 2017

I'm really looking out for my employer... they appreciate it so much that, in the past year, my hours have been cut to 40/week max, no overtime, (down from nearly 50/wk) and paycuts across the board that caused me to loose 18% of my hourly wage. I'm thrilled. The drive time and test were kinda slid thru under the radar of the management.