Karl Townsend wrote:
On Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:00:57 -0500, "Pete C."
wrote:
Karl Townsend wrote:
On Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:02:37 -0500, "Pete C."
wrote:
Ignoramus11295 wrote:
I am not about to become a "trucker", but I am thinking about getting
a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
The purpose is to be able to drive a larger truck (like a 1 ton
pickup) with a larger trailer (like 15K lbs), buying and selling
larger things.
I am curious if anyone here has a CDL and, if so, how hard it was to get.
I can study the study questions by myself, and I would prefer not to
go to a CDL school for a whole month.
Can I somehow pass it with at-home preparation? Also, can I pass that
test with a vehicle that does not require a CDL? I will do some
finding out by myself also, but I wanted to hear if anyone has any
practical experience.
i
I recently go my CDL, class AM with TX endorsements (double, triple
trailer, tanker, hazmat). It is not at all difficult if you are smart
enough to understand how air brakes work, and can handle a vehicle with
a trailer. I got a few CDL books and reviewed them over the course of a
couple weeks in my spare time, then I went to the DPS office here and
took the written (computer based) tests of which I passed all 8 or 9 I
took on the first try in a total of about 45 minutes.
After that I got in touch with one of the area "rent our truck for your
CDL test" places and rented a truck for the road test. The truck place
provided a nice Kenworth T2000 auto-shift truck and a 27' "pup" trailer
as is normally used in a tandem configuration. The truck folks met me at
the DPS office early in the morning and gave me a review of the air
brake test and an hour or so of drive time to familiarize myself with
the truck, which was on the actual route the DPS uses for the road test.
After I passed the road test I waited in line at the DPS to do the last
paperwork, then waited at the truck for the DPS tester. The actual road
test was not difficult at all and the DPS guy was very nice, the test
took perhaps 45 min. After that a quick visit back in the DPS office
where I received my paper temporary license, with the regular license in
the mail a week later.
For the hazmat endorsement which you may not care about, there was an
extra step of an appointment for fingerprints to go to the TSA for check
and approval (new post 9/11). The TSA approval came in less than two
weeks and the new license with the hazmat endorsement in the mail a few
days later.
The total cost with books, truck rental, license and TSA fees was around
$750. If you'd like I'd be happy to loan you the books, or you could
just order the best one "Bumper to Bumper the complete guide to
tractor-trailer operations" which goes for about $48 and I believe is
used by many of the schools.
The bottom line is that it's not brain surgery and you should have no
problem passing the test. You will need to get a DOT physical exam,
CVS's Minute Clinic does them for $60 or so, and you'll need a log book
for any commercial driving you do. Also note that you can't get any
traffic tickets waived or the like as you can with a non commercial
license.
Very informative, Pete.
If i was to follow in your footsteps to get the CDL and then buy a
tractor trailer unit. What else would be involved in driving my stuff
cross country?
Karl
Insurance, log book if you don't fall under the personal use exemption,
and probably a DOT number (free). Oh, and a lot of diesel at 5-6 MPG 
Great! Right now its legal for me to buy and operate a semi as part of
my farm in MN. Main restriction is 150 mile limit from home. My son
wants me to get one but I'm hearing this farmer provision is going
away. So, I've been dragging my feet. I thought a CDL was far more
expensive both in time and money.
I don't think that farmer provision is really going away, but as you
note, it limits your range to in-state and near your farm.
CDL schools cost a bit, seems like $2k-$4k, and even the community
college CDL classes are overpriced. As long as you have a clue, the rent
a truck and take the test route works fine. The truck rental places
typically offer test insurance for a bit extra where if you somehow fail
the first test, you get to use the truck for retests at no extra cost.
Most people won't have a problem passing the first time, but the extra
comfort level of knowing you won't have to pay for a retest can make it
easier to pass that first time.
I've been told to watch for a '97 or older because its pre-ABS brake
and this is a huge problem on high milage tractors. Have you heard
this? OTOH, I'd own the tractor for for maybe 20 years and don't want
a friggin' antique. Anyway, where would i go for advice on what unit
to watch for?
I haven't heard of ABS issues on class 8 tractors, perhaps what was
being referred to is emissions controls (DPF) on the newer rigs. Those
DPFs are expensive to replace when they wear out, but if you get a truck
with a recently replaced one it ought to last you forever in the light
service you'd give it compared to normal trucking.