obtaining cdl

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by newbie89, Sep 12, 2014.

  1. newbie89

    newbie89 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 12, 2014
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    I recently got a class a without airbrakes....if I get passenger and school bus endorsements will they allow me to take airbrakes test in the bus? And will it still be a class a license?
     
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  3. newbie89

    newbie89 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 12, 2014
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    In Texas by the way
     
  4. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Why don't you just go back in and take the airbrakes test?
     
  5. Groo

    Groo Bobtail Member

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    That's an odd one. You generally have to test with the equipment you'd be licensed for. I think you'd first have to qualify for an unrestricted B to take the P test with an air-brake B bus.
    What would make the most sense is you'd end up with an unrestricted at the B level and restricted at the A, but I doubt they have a code for that. Best to ask someone at the TX DMV.
     
  6. 12 ga

    12 ga THE VIEW FROM MY OFFICE

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    There is no such thing as CDL A without air brakes. Cant be done. You can get CDL B without air brake endorsement and get a P or S endorsement, but you most likely have to have the air brake to go with them.
     
  7. Groo

    Groo Bobtail Member

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    sure it can be done. If you haul a heavy trailer behind a 1ton, you need an A. If you are getting paid for it, you need a CDL.
     
  8. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Air brakes is not an endorsement. It is on your license as a restriction, like wearing corrective lenses etc. And you can get a cdl without it. In some states, like Cali, you can actually get a non-commercial class A license. Sometimes it's needed for Motorhomes towing stuff.
     
  9. 12 ga

    12 ga THE VIEW FROM MY OFFICE

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    I did not say there was an air brake endorsement for CDL A, I meant was you can't get a CDL A without passing the air brake written test, just to clarify. In that regard I always thought all states are required to be the same, maybe not but should be consistent. With a class B CDL air brakes are most certainly an endorsement. In Michigan we have an RV Doubles endorsement on just a regular drivers license believe it or not.
     
  10. Groo

    Groo Bobtail Member

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    Regardless of what is on the written test, you have to pass the driving test with appropriate equipment or you get a restricted license. FWIW, MI also has non-CDL class A licenses.
     
  11. Wingsabovetheearth

    Wingsabovetheearth Bobtail Member

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    Sep 30, 2014
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    Doesn't it still mainly fall on overall GVW? Motorhomes and such, in Ca, at least, do require the non commercial license. Not all RV's have air brakes, but when hooked with a trailer or two (which also needs the doubles/triples endorsements technically) the GVW becomes large enough that the license "rating" (b, a) goes up.

    Also, at one point I worked for a small hotshot company who had a dually and 3 axle 45' flatbed trailer. The guy driving it took his class A test in that truck. He passed, and received his class A but it had an airbrake restriction because he tested in a vehicle that did NOT have air brakes.
     
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