Ok, so I just finished my pre-employment screening for Schneider... The recruiter told me I need to get my permit BEFORE starting school with them.... my questions is:

How do I go about getting the permit... i need to get the permit for:
General Knowledge
Combo Vehicles
Air Brakes
HazMat

Do I just go to the DMV and take the test? I have the CA state CDL handbook.... and have been reading, so basically how can I get the permit...

What is the best way to start this process?

That is correct. Go to the DMV take the test and pass them and pay your money and you will get the plastic...

Alan

I have to have the DOT Physical completed before applying for it? Can any Dr. do this?

No the doctor must be certified to do DOT physicals. Call Schneider and they will refer you to 1 in your area.

Alright, thanks.... i'll be giving my recruiter a call tomorrow!

I just got my permit...it may vary from state to state (I'm in Nebraska) but I just went to my local DMV, filled out the form, and took the test. I had studied the book for about 6 or 8 hours, and had no problem with the test. Paid my $10, they snapped a photo, and I had my CDL Learner's Permit in my hot, sweaty little hands in about 10 minutes.

Now I just need to find some way to get some wheel time. I'm trying to obtain my CDL the old fashioned way, without using a driving school. I work a different job full time; driving is not going to be my regular job.

HuskerMedic, what is the old-fashioned way?

The problem with not getting formal training is insurance regulations. If you can get a local company to give you hours behind the wheel, its possible to not go through a school, but most will have insurance regulations prohibiting this. Most of the big companies will not consider part time driving as experience and would require you to go through full training if not a school or refresher course at least before they put you on the road if you decide to drive full time.

I'm not going through a formal school. I have access to a truck through my work and have a few other possibilities. I'm going to (hopefully) be able to get enough wheel time to be proficient and be able to pass the road test.

Like I said, driving is not going to be my full-time job, although it will be a part of my regular job. Because of this, I can't take time off to go to a formal school.

Actually, in my area, there are quite a few part-timers that drive on the side. I can count seven or eight where I work; about half are Class B CDL holders and half have their Class A. Only one of these does regular over the road work, though; most of the others just do local stuff; deliveries, grain, dump work, etc. There are also countless farmers in the area that truck grain in the off season, and quite a few that do over the road work. I know a lot of full-timers look at this as people stealing their jobs, but most of this work would go begging without part-timers stepping in.