CDL Handbooks And Truck Driver Resources For Your State

cdl handbook cover

The CDL Manual, also known as the CDL Handbook, is the training manual you will study in order to pass the written test to obtain your commercial learner's permit. The commercial learner's permit allows you to drive a tractor trailer as long as you have a licensed CDL holder in the vehicle with you.

The CDL manual also contains various sections of required materials for obtaining your CDL endorsements, or CDL certifications, some of which are required for driving a commercial vehicle, others are optional.

You can also pick up a paper copy of the CDL manual from your state's DMV office.

How To Best Use The CDL Manaul

The best way to study the CDL manual is to start with sections that pertain to getting your CDL permit. These include:

  • 1-1 Introduction
  • 2-1 Driving Safely
  • 4-1 Air Brakes
  • 5-1 Combination Vehicles
  • 10-1 Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection
  • 11-1 Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test
  • 12-1 On-Road Driving

After studying the above section of the CDL manual you will be ready to take the written exam for the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) at your local DMV office.

At this point you should begin studying for your CDL endorsements, which are optional, but we highly recommend. The more endorsements you have the more job opportunities you will have. Each endorsement is a relatively easy written exam, and for most endorsements you'll then have that endorsement for life.

The exception is the Hazardous Materials Endorsement which requires a retest every two years. It also requires a Federal background check and fingerprinting for national security reasons.

In order to study for your CDL endorsements you can study the following sections:

  • 3-1 Transporting Passengers Safely
  • 6-1 Doubles and Triples
  • 7-1 Tank Vehicles
  • 8-1 Hazardous Materials
  • 9-1 School Bus

Once you've studied these sections you will be ready to test for your CDL endorsements at your local DMV office.

CDL Training Materials For Getting Your Commerial Driver's Permit

Trucking Truth Logo

Studying your state's cdl manual is a very boring and difficult way to learn the materials. At TruckingTruth we've put together a ton of great CDL training materials to help you study for the commercial learner's permit:

  • High Road Training Program

    Our High Road Training Program has the CDL manual built right in but it breaks the CDL manual down into smaller chunks with multiple choice questions at the end of each section. This is by far the best way to learn the materials in the CDL manual. Give this a try! You'll learn so much better and it's way more enjoyable.

  • CDL Practice Tests

    After you've studied our High Road Training Program you can use our CDL practice tests to check your progress. Anytime you have a few minutes our practice tests are a great way to reinforce what you've already learned.

  • CDL Practice Test Android App

    If you want to use our CDL practice tests while you're offline then our CDL Practice Test Android App is exactly what you need. It contains all of the questions you'll find in our standard practice tests but packaged neatly for offline consumption.

  • Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide

    Our pre-trip inspection study guide has everything you need to prepare for your pre-trip inspection test, which is part of obtaining your CDL license. We have all sorts of training materials including free PDF downloads, pre-trip inspection checklists, pre-trip inspection videos, and photos of the parts you'll be inspecting.

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • The High Road Training Program
  • The High Road Article Series
  • The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
  • Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Register Learn More

Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth

Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:

Apply For Paid CDL Training