How to Get a Commercial Driving License

If your dream is to drive a big rig or a bus, you will need a commercial driving license.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Insurance
• Commercial Driver's Licenses
• Trucks

1. Find out the specifics from the department of motor vehicles where you live. In most states, expect a written exam, a fee and a skills test composed of three parts: road skills, basic skills like backing a rig, and a pretrip vehicle inspection.

2. Enroll in a quality school with a thorough program. Carefully learn all the skills and regulations truck drivers need to know.

3. Apply for the license once you're ready.

4. Expect to pass a fairly rigorous physical exam, including tests for drug use, every two years to keep your license.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to drive an international route, be aware that Canada's laws are different, and in some cases stricter, than in the United States.
• Although you can learn the job as an apprentice, so long as you pass the tests, industry experts urge that you learn the trade at a quality truck-driving school instead. The industry is evolving quickly, both from changing regulations and advancing technology. It's important to get a good start and keep up to date to do a good job in this demanding field.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[evolmarie]

on 8/7/2009 It could be helpful to make sure your school is also a third party testing site for the state. Otherwise you will need to arrange for a road test and vehicle to test in driving to get your CDL.

[russellcox]

on 3/13/2009 Once you have a CDL it's probably a good idea to keep renewing even if you're not currently using it. Letting it lapse might mean more work retaking the exam in the future.

on 11/22/2005 You are more likely to pass your CDL skills test if you get high quality hands-on driving time at a school. The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) recommends at least 44 hours of driving time. Look for schools that use a PTDI curriculum. Many students make the mistake of thinking that a fast program (2-3 weeks) is the best choice because they will get a job sooner. Unfortunately, these fast schools (sometimes called CDL Mills) leave the graduate with no experience and few skills. As a result, the driver spends many weeks in a low-paying trainee position. Go to a good school and get plenty of driving time. In the end, you will be a better, safer driver. You'll also earn money faster because you won't need to be in a trainee program for very long. Instead, you will drive solo sooner, which is where the real money is made.