Who has their Class A CDL?

[bindian]

I have mine. Class A with Tanker. Class A requires air brakes so make sure you study that one even if you aren't going after an endorsement. When I went for my permit the trooper said I passed then asked if I wanted an endorsement. I said I didn't study for any. He handed me the tanker and said read each question and use your head. I passed it easily. He said many of the endorsements were like that. Didn't take a lot of studying.

At driving test. The first trip. The first question out of the troopers mouth was have you ever taken this before. I said no. I never made it past the pre-trip. When I asked around I learned that that trooper never passes you first try. Second try. He had a different attitude and I passed.

The more of the parts that you touch the better off you are. Be willing to crawl under the trailer and get the weights off the axles. If no info plate. Things like that. I took mine in a hot shot truck with gooseneck. It was the truck everyone in the company used.

When I got my manual to study for my CDL, the clerk at DPS told me I didn't need to study air brakes for my truck and trailer. I didn't study air brakes and had to take a week and study air brakes, then retake that portion of the tests. Now I know what a handshake connection is..........but don't have one.
hugs, Brandi

 

[QRTRHRS]

I got a job for an excavator at 17, first day I was told to take that dump truck and... No special license, no nothing. When the chauffer's license requirement came out I simply paid more money at renewal time. I went back to school at age 30, worked in high tech for 20 years during which time the CDL came about. Thinking no way, I did not think I would ever need to drive for a living. Then in 2003, most of our high tech work went to Taiwon and about 4000 people hit the streets, some 100 plus that did the same work that I did.

With minimal prospects because I was involved with a horse business with my wife and did not want to relocate, I took a CDL course offered to me for free having been laid off. I zipped through the tests so fast they thought that I somehow cheated lol!. (I knew the stuff pretty well plus I found on line test courses to see if I knew the "stuff".) The school used a school bus for the stagecoach endorsement aloing with the regular "S" endorsement. I did not take the "S" part, lol! I got on with an LTL outfit and even though I had the doubles endorsement I still needed to be LCVQ so more schooling, lol!

I moved a few states south in 2008 after selling our farm but local meant only out of town a day or so. Been there done that so I got a job in aerospace until I took SS. To supplement, I took a job driving, you guessed it, school bus, lol! More class room.

Even if you don't drive anymore, to keep the CDL your must keep up the med card at least in KY. We are required to take a physical every twelve months here but of course the school pays for it. I think I will quit the school gig when the year is out but as long as my eyes hold out (and everything else) will keep up the med card and the CDL for awhile.

Your pre-trip starts on the way to the rig. You are looking and commenting on the apperance of the rig, license plate, lights, leaning, etc., etc. Do not say things like, "looks good". What is "looks good"? State the facts, such as fan belt does not looked to be cracked or weathered. no cracks in or missing springs. If you are taking the air brake endorsement, you really need to be well versed on the air leakage tests. Good luck!

 

[GPintheMitten]

I worked high tech until an early out retirement in 2002 at age 52. After working with my son in his software business for 2 years while completely rebuilding a small ranch home, I decided to go to truck school and get my CDL with hazmat endorsement.

In the first 6 months of driving, I drove in every one of the lower 48 states. Found it to be pretty lonely and not very well paid. I continued for about 2 years full time and then went part-time and on-call for another year or so.

Eventually I decided to just quit and retire. A few years later I let my CDL lapse.

Drove in every kind of weather, crossed the rockies a few times, drove through narrow city streets in Jersey, drove thru Manhattan, across the painted desert. Quite an experience but don't want to do it any more. Lot of sleep deprivation. Hats off to those who do it.

Be safe.

 

[AGRIMAN]

I got mine at the age of 18. That was before the change to CDL I have every endorsement but bus and hope that I will never need it.

 

[Norm W]

I got my class 2 in 1969, and my class 1 in 1970. About 1975 the state had a thing about buses and it became a class 1&2. Then the Feds came in and it went back to a class A. For endorsements it's tank vehicles, passenger, tow truck and doubles an triples. I didn't want hazmat. Retired about 5 years ago and just have my "Historical" rig that does about 500 miles a year. I want my son to get his class A, not because I want him to drive, but because I want him to appreciate the job he does have. He is working in IT at a college and thinking that the grass may be greener at a different job.

 

[CJONE]

CDL A with everything but Hazmat. I let the hazmat go because it was a pain to keep. CJ

 

[Copperhead]

Had my Class A CDL with tanker, hazmat, doubles/triples, and passenger bus endorsements since August of 1991 when it was first offered for the upcoming mandate of 1992. Had the old Chauffer's license prior to the CDL coming about. Like above, I let the hazmat go a few years ago as I wasn't pulling anything that required it anymore and it was just a PITA to keep it up to date. If I need it, I can just get the background check out of the way and take the written test again and have it.

Have never used the bus part of the CDL, but I have a standing policy... I don't haul people or livestock (commercially). Both are a PITA.

 

[QRTRHRS]

CDL A with everything but Hazmat. I let the hazmat go because it was a pain to keep. CJ

The cost was looking to be a pain for sure. When I first got printed it cost me maybe 50-55 bucks. Then I moved to KY and had to get finger printed again and it cost me about 110 bucks. When my renewal came up it was not just the test, they wanted me to fingerprint again? So, like others, I dropped it. When I first went back out in 03', I needed it for LTL work. Later, I worked for a company where I did not need it plus made more money than the LTL gig. However, that involved crossing the border into Canada a few times a year and they were wanting me to get my passport and TWIC(sp?) card. At that time at least, crossing north was no problem, dealing with the US border guards was. Maybe it's the exhaust fumes?

 

[QRTRHRS]

Had my Class A CDL with tanker, hazmat, doubles/triples, and passenger bus endorsements since August of 1991 when it was first offered for the upcoming mandate of 1992. Had the old Chauffer's license prior to the CDL coming about. Like above, I let the hazmat go a few years ago as I wasn't pulling anything that required it anymore and it was just a PITA to keep it up to date. If I need it, I can just get the background check out of the way and take the written test again and have it.

Have never used the bus part of the CDL, but I have a standing policy... I don't haul people or livestock (commercially). Both are a PITA.

I actually liked hauling doubles except for the single axle rag wagons that jostled your insides. That and terminal managers that are complete jerks especially if you have to make or break your own sets. Never did drive a stagecoach nor did I really want to. I just got the endorsment because, well, you never know. As for the school bus gig, as a co-worker once stated, "it would be a great job if not for the kids", lol!

 

[farmer2009]

As for the school bus gig, as a co-worker once stated, "it would be a great job if not for the kids", lol!

LOL. Dad loves his school bus driving job. But then he retired from Juvenile Justice. He says "these kids are angles". Guess it's all in perspective.

 

[kevinwak]

I have a class 1 in Alberta. I think it is the same as an A? Not sure though. It is all encompassing, tankers, trains etc. The only thing I am really not sure about is what they (Alberta DOT) call a LCV (long combination vehicle). That is a pair of 53' van trailers hitched together. I think the licensing is the same everywhere, but with different terminology.
I got my class one when I was 18. I was fresh out of high school and the oil industry was booming and I was looking for a job as a vac/water truck driver. Well I never did end up driving trucks as a job, not even one day. I do pull a few loads of grain and hay a year for my dad around the farm. It was with his help and trucks that I got the license and it is fun to drive an 18 wheeler now and then.....

 

[Looking4new]

I have a class 1 in Alberta. I think it is the same as an A? Not sure though. It is all encompassing, tankers, trains etc. The only thing I am really not sure about is what they (Alberta DOT) call a LCV (long combination vehicle). That is a pair of 53' van trailers hitched together. I think the licensing is the same everywhere, but with different terminology.
I got my class one when I was 18. I was fresh out of high school and the oil industry was booming and I was looking for a job as a vac/water truck driver. Well I never did end up driving trucks as a job, not even one day. I do pull a few loads of grain and hay a year for my dad around the farm. It was with his help and trucks that I got the license and it is fun to drive an 18 wheeler now and then.....

A Alberta Class 1 IS the same as a Class A.
When I went to Alberta I traded in my Ontario license for a Class 1 and got the bus endorsement (I was driving for the DND at one time so needed the Class 2 for commercial bus.
I escaped from Alberta and came back to Ontario and traded my cl1 in for an Ontario Class AB. I hauled school kids for a few winters and finally saw the light and dropped the B.

 

[Looking4new]

I have a class 1 in Alberta. I think it is the same as an A? Not sure though. It is all encompassing, tankers, trains etc. The only thing I am really not sure about is what they (Alberta DOT) call a LCV (long combination vehicle). That is a pair of 53' van trailers hitched together. I think the licensing is the same everywhere, but with different terminology.
I got my class one when I was 18. I was fresh out of high school and the oil industry was booming and I was looking for a job as a vac/water truck driver. Well I never did end up driving trucks as a job, not even one day. I do pull a few loads of grain and hay a year for my dad around the farm. It was with his help and trucks that I got the license and it is fun to drive an 18 wheeler now and then.....

A Alberta Class 1 IS the same as a Class A.
When I went to Alberta I traded in my Ontario license for a Class 1 and got the bus endorsement (I was driving for the DND at one time so needed the Class 2 for commercial bus.
I escaped from Alberta and came back to Ontario and traded my cl1 in for an Ontario Class AC. I then upgraded to a Class AB which covered the C as well as all the classes right down to but not including M. I hauled school kids for a few winters and finally saw the light and dropped the B. I agree, hauling kids, people and/or livestock is a huge P.I.T.A.

 

[Copperhead]

I actually liked hauling doubles except for the single axle rag wagons that jostled your insides. That and terminal managers that are complete jerks especially if you have to make or break your own sets. Never did drive a stagecoach nor did I really want to. I just got the endorsment because, well, you never know. As for the school bus gig, as a co-worker once stated, "it would be a great job if not for the kids", lol!

Yeah, the terminal manager thing is what caused me to go elsewhere. Lots of stories there. While I got the passenger bus endorsement, I am not sure I could get the additional school bus thing and haul kids. But then, I have issues with hauling anything that breaths.

 

[Looking4new]

I hauled those little unh darlins for four years. (I am a slow learner). Never again! In my experience Catholic high school kids are the VERY WORST kids to haul in Ontario!

 

[dhagood]

CDL A with everything but Hazmat. I let the hazmat go because it was a pain to keep. CJ

me too. i have 10 years of experience and i hope i never have to drive professionally again. i'm too old (or lazy) to work that hard anymore.

 

[Copperhead]

Well, I still own and operate a semi, but it is more on my terms. I only will haul for a certain group of customers. I stay within a 500-600 mile radius of the house. And I am by the house a couple of times a week and off on the weekends, unless I take a "weekend" during the week based on how stuff is moving. I will not refuse to haul for anyone, but some folks are just going to have to pay more for me to haul for them or find someone else to do it. Same principle that applies to most things. If I had a nice apartment complex with apartments to rent, I would just price them so as to attract only a certain type of renter. Well, some folks I have no desire to haul for them for various reasons, but if they want to pay a premium, I will not refuse.

 

[bdog]

I have my class A. Got it earlier this year. I picked up the CDL manual from the DMV and read 3/4 of it that evening, finished the next morning and went straight to the DMV and took the test. I passed everything first try including air brakes. I did not get any endorsements because I have no need or desire to pull doubles or tankers. I may get Hazmat at some point because I have an explosives license and it might be nice to be able to transport them myself vs paying to have them delivered.

I have been pulling gooseneck trailers up to 40' for 20 years as well as driving class 6 26k non CDL straight trucks but I had never even sat in the drivers seat of a tractor trailer until the day I took my road test. I drove for about 30 minutes practicing in the morning before the test and then I took it that afternoon. I scored a 92/100.

I now have a tandem dump truck and a Peterbilt with a 53' step deck. I primarily got the Pete to haul my own stuff to job sites but I just recently got a MC number so I can haul stuff for others. It is a lot of fun but also a big responsibility. I have became a much more cautious driver since getting the CDL. I am so worried about getting points I don't speed any more and am generally more aware when driving. I never drive drunk but pre CDL I would have 1 or 2 (no more) beers at a restaurant and drive home but now that I have the CDL I won't drink a drop and drive.

 

[Ron50]

I too have Class A with all endorsements for everything that goes down the road. Seems like on the written tests it's the hazmat one that gives people the most trouble, at least the first time. You will take it,get fingerprinted, and background checked many many times.
As far as the driving part experience really helps. Now days that is hard to get when you're young. I was actually driving trucks, and other stuff, before I even had a license. Farming community, small town so no big deal. I think I only had to take a written test for a chauffeurs license back then. Long time ago now. Did have a friend show up with a loaded log truck to get his first driving license. Lot tougher on young guys now days with all the naney police.
I moved from Washington to Oregon in 1990 and had to take a truck driving test to get an Oregon license though. I couldn't get an appointment in the Portland area, but I was going to Bend in a couple of days so booked an appointment for 9:00 am. Of course it snowed like a SOB all day and night before I got there. One and half feet of snow in the parking lot and seeing as I was their only customer that morning, parking was easy. Still had chains on 4 of 7 axels. The ol' retired truck driver said he won't make me crawl through the snow to due the pretrip and seeing as I even got there I passed the test, but we should probably take a trip around the block to make it look good. That was my one and only driving test.
As far as driving ability goes; some are born with it, some learn it, some never get it. You either like it or you don't. Not really a lot of gray, or you don't stick with it.

 

[Ron50]

I too have Class A with all endorsements for everything that goes down the road. Seems like on the written tests it's the hazmat one that gives people the most trouble, at least the first time. You will take it,get fingerprinted, and background checked many many times.
As far as the driving part experience really helps. Now days that is hard to get when you're young. I was actually driving trucks, and other stuff, before I even had a license. Farming community, small town so no big deal. I think I only had to take a written test for a chauffeurs license back then. Long time ago now. Did have a friend show up with a loaded log truck to get his first driving license. Lot tougher on young guys now days with all the naney police.
I moved from Washington to Oregon in 1990 and had to take a truck driving test to get an Oregon license though. I couldn't get an appointment in the Portland area, but I was going to Bend in a couple of days so booked an appointment for 9:00 am. Of course it snowed like a SOB all day and night before I got there. One and half feet of snow in the parking lot and seeing as I was their only customer that morning, parking was easy. Still had chains on 4 of 7 axels. The ol' retired truck driver said he won't make me crawl through the snow to due the pretrip and seeing as I even got there I passed the test, but we should probably take a trip around the block to make it look good. That was my one and only driving test.
As far as driving ability goes; some are born with it, some learn it, some never get it. You either like it or you don't. Not really a lot of gray, or you don't stick with it.