While choosing a school, can I get my CDL on my own?

There are so many choices for training and jobs in this industry. It seems, after a few discussions and a lot of posts, that I have a lot of what these companies want, at least in a very clean DMV, no drug record, good, consistent and lengthy work experience, etc. I am in good physical condition.

Since I have a comfortable job, is there any reason I cannot actually get my CDL without making the choice about schools, training, financing, tuition reimbursement, etc? I am not talking about anything other than studying the book on my own and taking the test.

Then my qualifications will be all of the above, plus " have CDL, need training and a job ".

It seems most rookies combine the training with the CDL. Clearly, this will eventually happen, but must I wait for the book study and the actual test? It is hard to tell whether the test itself includes driving a rig, because so much of what I read here combines training with getting the CDL itself.

With this in mind, I have located some online CDL training manuals. The system did not let me post it below, so the link is on Schneider's web site. My state DMV locations are all out of manuals, so I have downloaded one and will study it this way instead.

This just happens to be on a Scheider web site. I do not work for them, nor do I have any form of connection to them.

ETA:

I just began reading the online version of the CDL manual, and it seems the answer to my question is clear--one must pass a skills test on a specific vehicle s/he will be driving. So clearly, the answer to my basic question is NO....

 

I wonder if any vets are reading this thread. Anyone want to comment on whether Coke and Pepsi will train the right people for free?