Truckers Junction

If you are thinking about getting into trucking, one of the first steps is to attain your Class A CDL, or your Class A commercial driver’s license. Congress created the CDL in 1986, when they passed the Commercial Motor Vehicle Act of 1986, which created a set of minimum requirements that must be met by a driver to obtain his/her Class A CDL. The CDL was created to help ensure that people who are operating large trucks and buses are qualified to do so, and not endangering all other drivers.

In order to obtain a Class A CDL, you must pass a written test and a skills test that are administered by the state in which you are getting your license. The skills test must be passed in the same type of vehicle that you wish to be licensed to drive.

Along with the general knowledge and skills tests, you must obtain various endorsements for the type of tractor-trailer you wish to drive. For example, if your vehicle has air brakes, which most do, you would be required to take the air brake knowledge and skills test. If you don’t take these tests, your Class A CDL will be restricted and you will not be allowed to drive such vehicles.

There are several different endorsements available; some require a skills test, while others only require a knowledge test. Here is a list of the possible endorsements and the test(s) required for each:

• T - Double/Triple Trailers (Knowledge Test only)
• P - Passenger (Knowledge and Skills Tests)
• N - Tank Vehicle (Knowledge Test only)
• H - Hazardous Materials (Knowledge Test only)
• X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials

Now you may be wondering how you get the training for your CDL. There many options available for you. Most of the major trucking companies provide the training needed in order to pass your tests, also there are various CDL training schools throughout the country, many technical colleges and institutes also provide the training needed. These can be found with a simple search on the internet for “CDL training schools.” Once you attain the knowledge you need, and pass your written and skills tests, then you are licensed to drive anywhere in the country.