Anyone have any tips for getting a class A CDL?? About to start the process and Ive heard it is getting harder than it used to be.
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CDL Tips??
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It's more inconvenient than it is hard. If there are any "CDL Help" places left around, call them. They know the routes the different offices use, and they will have a truck/trailer to make it easy to take the driving test. It was always worth it to us to use them, but I don't know if there are any still around.
When you get the book, study it until you can pass all the little mini tests at the end of each sections, they are questions inside a box to test what you retained. I didn't have any trouble with any of the written, but I had a working knowledge of air brakes. If you don't know how they function, I could see how that could trip someone up.
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Originally posted by eastxhunter View PostAir brakes tripped me up first go around . Know all ins and outs and you’ll get. I wasn’t told till my second trip that on the parallel you are actually allotted one (or two?) pull ups. No sweat and watch out for curbs.
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Use to be that the pre-trip inspection was the most important part of the test.
I would learn how to do a proper DOT pre-trip inspection. If you have access to a truck to practice that numerous times if you can. Point out the components that you are inspecting.
Spend a little extra time in the air brake section of the book as well.
I let my med card expire last fall so my info is probably dated.
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I have heard that you have to go to a school now, that you can't just take the written and driving anymore. Not sure if that's entirely true or not. One of my guys has signed up for it, and he is the one that told me. We have several going so I'm assuming it's true but I know what assuming means.
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I haven't completed mine, I started the process as a position I was applying for required a Class A, no airbrake. (I didn't get the position). I was hoping to show that I had the ability to pass, I had several years driving military vehicles. My learners permit expires sometime this month.
Medical card was a breeze, @$100 at Concentra getting felt-up.
The drivers license office wait was bad, tests were simple. I've heard the pre-trip inspections are the worst part, and that you won't know why you failed.
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Originally posted by Stick bow View PostI’ve had mine for 15 years so glad I don’t have to do it these days, it was much easier back then. My advice would be to drive with a buddy as much as you can so he can familiarize you with truck, brakes, logs and etc.
Its a whole different ball game now than it was 15-20 years ago, lots of buzz words and phrases they want to hear to the appropriate time etc.
study the book
watch youtube for pointers
practice your pre-trip
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I just got mine in December and the pre trip is definitely the hardest part. If you actually study the books the written tests are not bad. I have heard that after February some kind of formal training is required but not sure how true that is. Should be able to find everything you need on the dps website. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask me since I just went through it not long ago.
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