When looking to get into the trucking industry, it is important to know all of the requirements. One of the main requirements of obtaining a trucking job is having the proper licensing. In the US, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required to operate any type of vehicle for commercial use that has a GVWR, or gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lbs. or more. A CDL is also required for transporting hazardous materials that require warnings based on Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines, or for drivers of vehicles that are transporting 16 or more passengers. There are three classes of CDL licenses including the class A CDL, class B CDL, and the class C CDL.
What is Class A CDL?
In answer to the question what is class A CDL, a class A CDL license is the most common commercial driver’s license. With a class A CDL license, a driver is permitted to operate a vehicle that has a GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more when the GVWR of what is being towed is more than 10,000 lbs. Under federal law, it has been required that drivers obtain a CDL license in order to operate a commercial motor vehicle since April 1, 1992. When obtaining a CDL class A, there are additional tests that can be taken to add endorsements to the license. On the other hand, if a driver fails any parts of the CDL test, then they can have restrictions placed on their CDL license.
How to Get a CDL Class A
Before looking for class A CDL jobs, it is necessary to have a license. When an individual applies for their class A CDL, the state in which they are applying must do a database check to ensure that the driver is not disqualified from receiving a license for any reason and that they do not possess a license from more than one jurisdiction. The state in which the applicant is applying will also obtain a complete driving record of the applicant. Once this is done, the applicant is then expected to complete knowledge and skills testing. These tests may vary slightly by state but are all based on federal standards. The knowledge and skills testing will consist of a written test as well as a road exam. Along with the knowledge and skills test and a check of the applicant’s driving record, a drug test and physical exam also need to be passed.
Studying For a License to Get Class A Jobs
There are many things that an individual will need to learn in order to pass a CDL test. Applicants will need to learn skills such as how to drive in various weather conditions, how to inspect a vehicle before driving it, and the proper way to handle turning, backing up, and parking, among other things. One of the best ways to study for a CDL exam is to enroll in a truck driver school or training program. Training schools can help people learn how to drive big rig trucks, learn about safety issues with trucking, and prepare for taking the CDL test. Another option is for people to obtain study guides and practice tests and attempt to pass the test on their own without the help of a school or training program.
Class A CDL Jobs & Extra Endorsements
Once a driver gets their class A CDL they can then pursue any number of CDL A jobs, and the more endorsements a driver has, the more jobs will be open to them. There are different endorsements that can be obtained. The T endorsement allows drivers to pull double or triple trailers. The P endorsement allows drivers to transport passengers, and the H endorsement allows drivers to transport hazardous materials. Other endorsements that can be obtained include the N endorsement for tank vehicles, X for a combination of hazardous materials and tank vehicles, and the S endorsement for school bus driving. Some of these endorsements require knowledge tests while other require both knowledge and skills tests.
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