What Is A Commercial Driver’s License?

A CDL or Commercial Driver’s License is required for anyone that is looking for a career in the transportation industry. Most people think of a CDL as something that only an over the road truck driver would need, but the truth is there are different classes of CDL’s that you can get for different aspects of driving.

The most common is for driving semi-trucks and hauling freight all over the country, but there are also special CDL endorsement’s that will allow you to haul hazardous chemicals and other types of cargo that a regular CDL won’t allow.

If you are interested in obtaining your CDL, then you are going to have to have an active state driver’s license for the state you want your CDL in. State regulations are different all over the country but, for the most part, you are going to need to get an instruction permit before you are able to get behind the wheel for your CDL training. You will need to contact your state to find out what is required for your instruction permit. They will also be able to tell you where you can go for the testing of getting your CDL.

Getting your CDL isn’t going to be as easy as it was when you got your Class C driver’s license. Not only will you have to study a book with all the rules and regulations regarding a CDL, but you are going to have to take extensive training behind the wheel. This is much different than a driving test for your regular license. Instead of taking your car around the block and maybe some parking techniques thrown in, a CDL driving test requires you to drive a semi with a trailer and all of the operating aspects that are involved.

Since you will have to take your CDL driving test in a rig, you are going to need to take specialized training in order to learn how the truck works. Once you get your instruction permit for your CDL, you can sign up to take a class that will give you the training you need to pass your CDL test. Most companies that are looking for drivers will recruit straight out of the CDL schools as they know that they are trained and ready to get on the road.

This means that you will have job placement available to you once you finish your CDL training and pass your driving test. That is a huge bonus for going out and getting your CDL.
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