How to Get Your CDL in Idaho
Taking on the challenge of driving a big rig in Idaho means that you are dedicated enough to learn the regulations and laws required to get your commercial driver license, or CDL. The state of Idaho has many opportunities for commercial drivers, but the first step toward taking advantage of those opportunities is gaining the knowledge and experience you need to pass the examinations as required by the state and the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
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Instructions
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You must pass a DOT physical before you can get a CDL. Make an appointment with your doctor to get a CDL physical. Doctors have copies of the CDL medical exam form in their office. Your doctor will need to fill out and sign the exam form. Make copies of the form for your records and keep the original in a safe place until you are ready to go to the BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) to take your written exams.
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Go to your local Idaho BMV and get a copy of the Commercial Driver Handbook. This book will guide you through the steps you need to get your commercial driver license. If you plan to get a Class A CDL you will need to study the General Knowledge, Air Brake and Combination sections. Return to the BMV with your valid Idaho driver license and your original CDL medical exam form, and take your tests to get your permit.
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You must learn how to inspect your equipment. Study the pre-trip inspection. Before you are allowed to get in a truck to take your skills tests you will need to perform a pre-trip inspection for the state tester. This involves telling the tester exactly what parts you will be inspecting under the hood as well as the entire outside of the tractor, trailer and inside of the truck.
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Learning to maneuver a truck is important. Practice the skills test in the same type of vehicle you plan on driving when you get your CDL. There is a diagram of the skills test range setup in the Commercial Driver Handbook. If you do not plan on attending a certified CDL school, you will need to practice these maneuvers on a range exactly like the one in the manual. The FMCSA requires you to pass straight-line backing, offset backing and parallel parking.
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Backing a truck safely is part of the Idaho CDL test. Contact your local BMV for a certified state test location. You will need to make an appointment to take your test at the state test location. If you do not provide the vehicle, you will be expected to pay for the use of one to complete your test.
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Driving on the road is the last part of the test. Go to the state test location and be prepared to start your test with the pre-trip inspection. Take your identification and paperwork from the BMV to prove you have taken the written tests. After you pass the pre-trip inspection, you will take your skills test on the range. Then you will drive the test route. The state of Idaho decides what route you will need to drive, and your state tester will tell you what he wants you to do. Pay attention to signs; your tester may ask questions to make sure you are paying attention to what is happening around you as you drive.
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When you have completed your drive test you are through with the testing. You will need to return to the BMV with any documents provided by the state tester to get your CDL.
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Tips & Warnings
Getting your CDL without any extra endorsements is easier than trying to study for all of them. You can always go back to the BMV and get other endorsements such as hazardous materials clearance.
References
- Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images doctor desk image by dinostock from Fotolia.com semi trailer image by max blain from Fotolia.com semi truck image by max blain from Fotolia.com truck image by max blain from Fotolia.com line of trucks 1 image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com trucks on highway image by palms from Fotolia.com
