25 Y/o Male In PA Want Cdl Should I Learn Myself Or Go Through A School?
Topic 11097 | Page 1
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There is a ton of information available on this website designed to assist folks trying to start their trucking career. Below are a series of links recommended as a starter. There is additional information that can be accessed by clicking on the buttons at the top of the webpage.
As far as going to school vs. learning from the driver you know? Having your driver friend "train you a little" as you suggested, is unlikely to "get it done" for you. He will need to train you on every aspect required to pass the CDL A test as specified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Driving a tractor trailer is very different than the straight trucks you have grown familiar with. If at all possible going to an accredited school is usually a better path and provides a wider range of future opportunities if the company you are currently with, doesn't work out. The information contained in the above links will help you establish a base of knowledge to better understand the requirements of the CDL permit, the CDL test and perhaps "why" going to a school will give you a greater chance for success.
Good luck.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I agree with G-Town. In general, trying to get your CDL on your own doesn't work out very well because almost no one would be willing to hire you. Companies generally require a driver to have a recent certificate of completion from a legitimate truck driving school or recent over the road experience.
In fact, your company may not allow you to drive the truck even though the driver himself said you could. You would have to speak with the owner of the company about that.
If the owner of your company will guarantee you a job once you get your CDL then it might be worth pursuing on your own. But if you want a career in trucking outside of the company you're working for you're going to want to attend a regular truck driving school.
Either way our High Road Training Program is what you'll study to get your permit. Here is how our program breaks down:
To Get Your CDL Permit:
- Rules & Regulations
- Driving Safely
- Transporting Cargo Safely
- Air Brakes
- Combination Vehicles
- Pre-Trip Inspection
- Driving Exam
To get your CDL endorsements which are optional but highly recommend:
- Transporting Passengers
- Doubles And Triples
- Tankers
- Hazardous Materials
Two sections we've built ourselves with info you'll need for everyday life on the road:
- Logbook
- Weight & Balance
Two sections for anyone considering flatbed:
- Cargo Securement
- New York State Coil Endorsement
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Logbook:
A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.
Over The Road:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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Want to say thanks in advance this is my first time posting on here, but I've been really thinking about this lately. I am a 25 y/o male from Philadelphia and have been driving 14-26 ft straight jobs for the past 6 years for a few different food and parcel companies but I'm still not making the money that I know I could be if I had my cdl. The company I am at now has mostly straight jobs but there is a guy who drives a trailer and said I could drive with him if I studied and received my permit and than eventually take my driving test I was just wondering which route would you guys suggest, I mean I guess if I had to go to smith and Solomon AAA school of trucking etc I guess I could save the money or finance it but I think if the gentleman I work with now is willing to train me a little which is the best option for me and I was also wondering how hard is the permit test and are there any sites material that could help me better than sitting there and reading the cdl manual over and over! Thanks again for your help it's much appreciated!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: