eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Get A CDL License in Florida

Member
By Josephine Wallace
User-Submitted Article
(0 Ratings)
CDL License in Florida
CDL License in Florida
jw

A CDL License in Florida opens you new job opportunities in the transportation industry. With a bit of training and hard work, you can quickly get a CDL license in Florida. For those who already have a CDL license, Florida reciprocates CDL licenses from other states so you don't need to take the tests except for hazmat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Age 18 (age 21 if driving interstate)
  • Florida driver's license
  1. Step 1

    Get a job at a transportation employer willing to train you to get a CDL License in Florida. You can also enroll if a truck driving school or bus driving school if you cannot find an employer at this time. You will need a commercial driving school or job because you need to gain the skills somewhere and you will need a truck for the road test. The state of Florida will not give you a truck to practice or take the road test.

  2. Step 2

    Decide between you and your employer/ truck driving school the endorsement and CDL license class you need.

    CDL license classes in Florida:
    Class A - truck combination over 26000 lbs.
    Class B - straight trucks and buses
    Class C - transport hazardous materials or 15+ people

    Endorsements:
    H - hazmat
    N - tank
    P - passenger
    S - school bus
    T - double trailer and triple trailer
    X - combination of N and H

  3. Step 3

    Go to the nearest Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle office to apply for a CDL license in Florida. On this visit, you will take a knowledge test based upon the endorsements you need. Passing this test will give you a learner's permit necessary to practice for the road test.

  4. Step 4

    Practice commercial driving skills with your employer or truck driving school in preparation for the Skill Test.

  5. Step 5

    Take the Skills test.

    There are many privately run sites (usually at trucking employers or schools in Florida) that do the CDL skill tests and a very few public sites. The locations and phone numbers can be found on the Florida DHSMV website.

    The road test involves three parts:

    1) - Pre-trip vehicle inspection (eg. check lights, check brakes, check for leaks, etc.)
    2) - Basic vehicle control test (drive in a confined area around cones both forwards and backwards)
    3) - On the road test

    After you pass the Skills test, you will have earned your CDL license in Florida.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you get two traffic violations within 3 years in Florida, you will lose your CDL license for 60 days, which is more than long enough to cost you your job.
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Tags
Get Free Careers & Work Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

Demand Media
eHow_eHow Careers and Work