Anyone have a CDL??

[A1cntrler]

Does anyone on the board here have a CDL?? I am a resident of VA, and am in the market for a new job, as I am being medically discharged from the military. I was looking at some jobs that will keep me local (wife is a Dr. at a local hospital, so we won't be moving) and I'll need something to pass the time. I was looking at a job with an armored car company, but they require me to have a CDL to drive the truck. I started looking on the DMV site, and it says I have to provide a truck to take a CDL test in, after I pass the written exam. Seems like trying to get credit. You can't get credit until you have already had credit. Can't get hired until I have a CDL, but can't get a CDL until I have a truck to drive... Als what kind of questions are on the exam. I also see that I need to have a medical exam done. Where can I find a list of DOT approved examiners?? I haven't had any other care provider other than the military, so is this something that I can ask my civilian Dr. to do when I get one, or are there specefic ones to see???



Thanks!

 

[Michael Hale]

DOT medical examinations, at present time, can be performed by any licensed physician or mid-level practioner. This is most likely to change in the next couple of years.

 

[Frank Marano]

I have a CDL class A. I drive tractor trailers for Federal Express. Getting a CDL is not like getting your license for the first time where you father teaches you how to drive in an empty parking lot. The best thing to do is to go to a school where they teach you to drive the type of vehicles you will be driving. Part of those schools is them letting you use the truck to take your road test. ( so that is wehre you would get a truck from for the test). FedEx paid for me to go to school, it was around $6000.



It is a whole different world with a CDL. The Federal government is cracking down on all aspects of CDL drivers, from medical to haz endorsements.



The exams to get your learners permit is not just one exam. There is one main part, then a list of endorsements that can be added on. One you would need is CDL basic with the air brake endorsement.



Also with the armoured truck deal wouldnt you need to get a working handgun permit also?



When you have your CDL you are looked at on a whole different level by law enforcement too, even in your own vehicle. They are quite strict with CDL drivers because we are considered professionals.

 

[D Knx]

I have a CDL from Va. and as part of the process I needed to pass the written exam 1st. Now that exam varies depending on the type of CDL for which you are applying, mine was for a HazMat endorsement, class C license.



You will need to get the Virginia Commercial Driver's manual from your local DMV office. Suggest studying it very thoroughly on the type of license for which you are applying. There are three main classes, for instance, Class A, B & C, and a host of different endorsements so you'll need to know what type of commercial vehicle your interested in operating. The manual will direct you on what info you need to study to qualify for that license.



Virginia DMV will give you a list of Va. DMV examiners who conduct the road test portion, but you may not get that list until after passing the written part of the test. Then you need to call an examiner from that list to schedule an appointment.



You may need to PAY for a backgroud check if you plan to operate a vehicle that transports hazardous material, I paid for mine after passing the written exam and before taking a road test. I used a company vehicle for that part so I didn't have any problem. You can do the written exam and still apply for a drivers position with just a learner's permit, it normally is not a big deal for a company to have drivers in the process of getting their CDL's.



They don't have to pay you top dollar



The medical exam can be done during the course of obtaining your CDL, I didn't get mine until after everything else was done and the DMV here in NoVa never made a big deal about it. However, if you are asked to produce one, say by a state trooper you'd better have it, or that is a hefty fine. I downloaded a medical examination form from their website and took that to the dr. who filled it out.



Good Luck



D-

 

[Michael Hale]

Here's the link for the medical examination.

 

[Rob Beil]

Yeah a CDL is a lot of studying and they don't BS anymore. I was working for a limo company and they started getting the SUV limo's, you have to have a CDL to drive them because of size and # of passenger's. Test's are passable you just need to studt, definitely get the guides/books. And as someone else said if you are working for a company or applying they will give you the vehicle to use. I drove the Hummer limo around for quite awhile.



BTW if you are willing to work nights and weekends the limo gig pays pretty good. You do have to deal with some drunk a$$hole's sometimes but for the majority of the work it is pretty damn easy.

 

[A1cntrler]

Thanks for the info. I'll give them a call and see what thier policy on obtainig a CDL while employed there is. I also downloaded the medical forms. Wehn I first started looking I figured it would be a trip to the DMV, take one of thier touch screen tests and be on my way... Looks to be much more involved than that.



MD Rob--where do I find limo services that are hiring?? That sounds pretty cool.

 

[Rob Beil]

Usually most limo companies are always lookin and now a days most have websites. I would do a search for limos in VA/your area and see what comes up and call a couple. Do a little research on the company, see how long they have been in business, what kind of vehicles they have, etc.



Most likely the would start you off on sedans and strectched lincolns. Let me know if you have any questions about it.

 

[D Knx]

A1cntrlr, if your looking at getting a position with an armored truck carrier AND a position with a limo service you may have to take the CDL to get endorsements for both, i.e. a passenger endorsement for limo drivers and whatever endorsement(s) needed for armored carriers.



If you only do one and decide later that you want to do something else, if it requires different CDL qualifications your going to have to take the WHOLE exam again.



So if your considering multiple endorsements, you may want to study the areas that cover each one you want, easier said than done. I think there are 60 questions just on the general knowlede and you need 80% before you can move on to the other tests such as air brakes, transporting passengers or cargo etc.



D-

 

[SHANNON LAWRENCE]

I have had my cdl for almost 18 years and spent most a lot of time on the road. I agree with the general opinion of going to truck driving school, but i dont feel comfortable with all the people going to company sponsored(co. owned) schools. I have seen a lot of the graduates that come out of these co. owned schools with jobs guaranteed and after a month or 6 weeks with a trainer they are set free to go pilot an 80,000 big truck. You have to learn by doing and be willing also. A lot of these grads spend their 3 weeks in traing and six weeks with a company trainer and feel they can conquer the world, weather, and 4 wheeled traffic. I just ask when You do go get Your cdl u take it seriously because it aint a game out there. By the way, i am a fleet owner with 7 Largecar Petes and my insurance wont even allow me to hire a driver under 25 or at least 2 years of verifiable experience. I was taught back when you could ride along with dad, pay attn, not slap gears with either stick, and respect those around you. I know a lot of ppl were taught this way before and after me so I guess i am grateful there are some that still think it is a profession. GOOD LUCK and sorry about the rambling.......when you get some experience and feel comfortable you may want to think about hauling cars......we haul all enclosed trailers leased on to RELIABLE CARRIERS CANTON MICHIGAN. Good money for all and great home time on dedicated hauls .

 

[Frank Marano]

If you only do one and decide later that you want to do something else, if it requires different CDL qualifications your going to have to take the WHOLE exam again.

an armoured vehicle will be class A CDL because of the weight you could carry. If he has a CDL-A, he wouldn NOT need to retake the whole exam, he would just need to take the passanger endorsement add-on exam tro drive a limo.

 

[D Knx]

The info I got on that could be wrong, but I was told by a good friend who is a manager at my local DMV that if you apply for another endorsement, the state of Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles will require you to retake the general knowlede, transporting cargo and the test for whichever endorsement you need.



This is apparently due to security concerns, for instance, they've said that if you already hold a Class A license for tractor trailers and now want a haz mat and/or tanker endorsement, you not only must retake those exams already mentioned, including the particular endorsement(s), but also go through a background check that they the DMV does with the TSA.



Again, this may not be accurate, but they've been with the Va. DMV for over 20 years. Virginia has made a host of changes to their procedures since January '06, so some stuff maybe different.



D-

 

[Tina Nelson]

My husband is studing for his Class A right now so I have the book with me, this is what the book says. If you have a class A and you have the correct endorsements, you may also operate vehicles listed in class B and Class C. So as I told my husband, study and take the whole thing, get your class A along with whatever endorsements you might want, and that should cover you. He is working for a construction company driving a small flat bed ( not much bigger than a pickup) and his employer is pushing him to get his CDL and is willing to help him. Good Luck to you.

Tina