What can you tell me about 3rd party Testing (state of Pa)...Wife asking here)..

First, get hubby the dot manual for class b testing, so he can study it on his own.
Then he should go take the written tests at dot.
This can be done without the third party, at no cost to you.

Then get a school bus to take the test at dot. Go to a local school bus company....many states won't give you the driving test unless you get a slip from the school bus company saying they want to consider you for employment....ask them if they will drive a bus to the dot.....this could be a backup job for hubby. Get the slip to dot and set up date for test.

You don't need the third party....they are a waste of your money.

 

Thank You very Much Pumpkin Oval head.. he's had the manual for 2 weeks now... he's been studying.. taking all sorts of tests online.. he does well.. today he is getting the health card.. not back from work yet.. so not sure if they signed the one he also needs for the Place willing to teach him.. he may have to pay again if this Doctor refused to sign those papers in addition to where he works.. this is a very lousy situation & stressful for him right now... Thankfully someone stepped up to help teach my husband.. who has the ability and school.. and yes, it will be with a School Bus...

You say we don't need the 3rd party.. We are much more worried about his getting it NOW over the cost.. as I explained.. if they lay off ONE MORE MAN.. it's my husband.. If the DOT can not get him in and a 3rd party can.. we will pay near anything to get that dang test done .. so he can get this licence in his hand.

 

The last lay off was about 2 & half weeks ago.. in reality.. they ALL might be laid off.. but there was times where they kept (1) man in that position.. we want it to be Him.. I think you'd all understand this..

 

1) Learn Class B Air Brakes and Passenger from state provided manuals.

2) Schedule appointment with State for testing.

3) Borrow work truck, or rent Class B vehicle from Ryder, Penske, etc.

4) Pass testing.

These tests are easy to pass and the road driving portion is designed for verification of competency. You will pass once the administrator realizes you appear familiar with equipment and do not pose a significant risk to public safety.

Truck rental facilities have expert mechanics that will help put you through the paces before testing.

I'm positive your husband's supervisor will accommodate time and resources once notified that a Class B is desired.

DOT officers can actually be persuaded to administer testing at work places due to hardship.

Class B and Passenger endorsement requires the actual vehicle for road test.

If Class B is obtained with a work truck, the Passenger endorsement road test must be taken in a Bus type vehicle to then later qualify for School Bus driving.

 

He will be taking the test in a school bus... so he needs the P...and Air brakes.. he is not trying to get his Boss to do anything with the work truck.. that's like pulling teeth.. again.. he needs someone to help him drive it and there is no time at work for this.. they have work to do.. (they have too much work for these 3 men left there)...

Anyway.. that truck is an automatic.. so having a class B with a school bus endoresement will do - for what he needs.. I think one of his co-workers took his test like 20 yrs ago in a dump truck. not sure.

 

What does this mean exactly ?... "DOT officers can actually be persuaded to administer testing at work places due to hardship."...

 

They only need a driver if they leave for another location.. it's a bigger truck.. I guess it won't hurt to say what he does.. he works for the RR. Thank you all for listening to this.. and offering your 2 cents.. I appreciate it..

 

How much does the third party testing cost? If they can get you in sooner than dot, it may be worth it to you.

 

Can someone help clear this up for us... Ok... husband got (2) Medical Examiner certificates today.. one that he got from his work place , boss set up the appointment.. he passed.. also the Bus Company gave him their own paper work -luckily for us , the Doc signed BOTH , so he didn't have to pay $60 for another appointment... So we have a "Medical Examiners Certificate -for commercial Driver Medical Certification... and we also have a Paper filled out for "Pa School bus driver physical Examination Certificate"..

When we take all of this into the Dept of Transportation early this week.. I am being told by the DOT (when I call on the phone asking questions how all this works)...that my husband needs to take a written TEST BEFORE he gets a permit.. but the Lady who is going to teach him to drive bus is telling us he can get the Permit with all those papers and doesn't need to take any written tests YET.... I am confused..

 

I think he needs to take the written test first and get his permit. That is how class A works, and I can't imagine Class B is different. Go with what the DOT says....they are the ones in charge.