Do I NEED Endorsments For A CDL Permit?
Topic 14741 | Page 1
You can get a permit or license without endorsements.
You don't need to get any endorsements when you get your license or permit although it is HIGHLY recommended that you do. It increases your options for jobs as well as the freight you can haul.
I am going for my permit test this coming week. I know I can past the general knowledge easily. I am currently studying air brakes, but I want to know if I need endorsements for my permit with the A License? Or can I just take the general knowledge test and get a permit without endorsements?
Some schools may want you to have certain endorsements. For example, I believe Prime asks that you get your Tankers endorsement with your CDL Permit. So, if you are planning on attending a particular school, you may want to ask your recruiter which, if any, endorsements you will need.
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.
I am going for my permit test this coming week. I know I can past the general knowledge easily. I am currently studying air brakes, but I want to know if I need endorsements for my permit with the A License? Or can I just take the general knowledge test and get a permit without endorsements?
You might not need the air brake section to get a class A permit (I don't remember for sure, your state manual should say), but if you don't take it then you'll be limited to driving vehicles without air brakes, and you don't want that.
I got my permit from school then took the endorsement tests when I picked my license up from the dmv. Some people bang em out all at once. I decided to space it out for more study time. As Mr t stated, they will help u in the long run.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
You need air brakes general knowledge and combo vehicles. Prime required tanker because some of our freight is liquid in totes and the liquid sloshed around sorta like a tanker.
I am going for my permit test this coming week. I know I can past the general knowledge easily. I am currently studying air brakes, but I want to know if I need endorsements for my permit with the A License? Or can I just take the general knowledge test and get a permit without endorsements?
To receive a cdl permit. There's two written exams that'll get you a cdl permit, which in TX is good for a whole year. The two tests are commercial rules and combination. With your permit you'll be able to drive with someone that has a class a in order for you to practice. Once you'revery close to ready you apply for your cdl. Which will start a 90 day clock. You have 90 days to take the next 3 exams in which are General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Pre trip. As well as taking your road test.
You don't need endorsements to start driving unless you'll be driving a tankers or hazmat. I recommend you get them all it just expands your job opportunities.
I'm currently otr with Celadon with a trainer. I have 4k miles to go solo or teams. Once I get home time I will start working on my endorsement.
I'm from Tx, to others please feel free to correct me.
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.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
OTR:
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.
To receive a cdl permit. There's two written exams that'll get you a cdl permit, which in TX is good for a whole year. The two tests are commercial rules and combination. With your permit you'll be able to drive with someone that has a class a in order for you to practice. Once you'revery close to ready you apply for your cdl. Which will start a 90 day clock. You have 90 days to take the next 3 exams in which are General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Pre trip. As well as taking your road test.
Oh, you might be right. I'm from Maine and our school told us we needed air brakes to be able to drive with our permit, but they could be mistaken, or it could be different in Maine.
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.
The 3 you need to study in pa are General knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles. I would suggest just studying and doing all the endorsements at once simply because, in pa at least, it's cheaper. If you take your permit test and decide to go back for endorsments you have to pay an extra 30 bucks I think.
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
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I am going for my permit test this coming week. I know I can past the general knowledge easily. I am currently studying air brakes, but I want to know if I need endorsements for my permit with the A License? Or can I just take the general knowledge test and get a permit without endorsements?