How To Get A CDL

After making the decision to become a truck driver, you'll need to know how to get your CDL. As you may or may not know, there are a few types of CDL's. There's also different testing requirements for each commercial drivers license type.

Have you decided what type of driving job you want? Figuring out what type of driving job you're looking for will help tell you what type of commercial license you'll need. If you want to drive big rigs over the road or locally, you'll need a Class A.

If you're just looking to drive a local delivery truck with a 24ft. box, usually, you'll be required to have a valid Class B CDL. License requirements are typically based on what type of equipment you'll be driving.

If you know that you'll never drive a Class 8 vehicle and pull a 53' trailer, you can just get a Class B.

Personally speaking, if you're going to pay for a commercial license and go to an accredited truck driving school, you should take the extra step and get a Class A CDL. You'll qualify to drive most heavy equipment and trucks. Class B and C jobs also pay less.

So, not only do you need to know "how to get a CDL", you need to also know what type you need to get. You'll need a Class A CDL if you're driving combination vehicles with a weight of 26,001 pounds or more.

You'll need a Class B if you're driving a single vehicle with a weight of 26,001 pounds or more, and, you'll need a Class C if you're not planning on driving heavy equipment over 26,001 pounds and carrying over 16 passengers or hazardous materials.

Now that you have an understanding of what type of license you need to get, you need to find a truck driving school. There are many truck driving schools around the U.S. that can help you get your CDL. There may be a community college in your area that offers truck driver training.

If you don't live near a truck driving school or a community college that offers training, find a truck driving school that offers on campus training. When you live on campus, all of your expenses get packaged into your tuition price.

Most on campus truck driving schools will work with trucking companies to aid you in getting your first driving job. Many times, you'll have an offer from a trucking company before you graduate.

Just remember, knowing how to get your CDL is the easy part, getting it takes hard work and dedication. Before signing your name on the contract, make sure that truck driving is what you really want to do.