Official CDL Study Guide: Commercial Driver’s License Guide: Exam Prep, Practice Test Questions, and Beginner Friendly Training for Classes A, B, & C.

Introduction

Whether you are a high school graduate, a retiree, or anyone looking for a new career or switching careers, becoming a commercial driver can be a rewarding decision.

Obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is the first step to a career as a commercial driver. A CDL offers you an array of exciting options in the transportation industry without going through lengthy training programs that several other traditional career paths demand.

Why Get A CDL?

Below, let’s check out some unique benefits of acquiring a CDL that will make it even more worthwhile to dive deeper into this exhaustive guide to a hassle-free start to a career in the commercial transport industry.

Minimal training required: The process of obtaining a CDL is typically a short-term commitment, with training lasting from about a few weeks to a few months depending on the student.

Competitive starting pay and benefits: The United States Bureau of Labour Statistics averages the annual pay for truck drivers at about $46,000 in an annual pay range of between $29,000 and $66,000.

Career growth opportunities, flexibility and job security: The several types of CDL classes and endorsements, as well as the various industries that are reliant on truck drivers, offer you excellent career growth choices to explore. For starters, the more experienced you are, the more you can command a higher salary. As you acquire more endorsements, you become more valuable to your trucking company and this leads to flexibility in the jobs you choose to take.

Other benefits: Becoming a commercial driver also offers several other benefits such as freedom, independence, and scenic travel, availability of paid and sponsored CDL training.

Types Of CDL Vehicles

A CDL license is a must for one to drive a vehicle or a combination of a vehicle and a trailer weighing in excess of 26,001 pounds. There are further classifications that designate the type of vehicles license holders are allowed to drive and operate. These include:

Class A CDL

This permits a license holder to operate any combination of vehicles rated 26,001 pounds or more. It also includes towing of vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more. With relevant endorsements, a CDL Class A license holder can drive the following:

Truck and trailer combinations

Flatbeds

Tanker vehicles

Double and triple trailers

Tractor-trailers

Livestock carriers

Class A CDL license holders can also drive vehicles in Class B and Class C with the requisite endorsements.

Class B CDL

With proper endorsements, a Class B licensee can operate these commercial vehicles in addition to towing vehicles of no more than 10,000 pounds:

Straight trucks

Buses

Delivery trucks

Box trucks

Couriers

Segmented buses

Dump trucks

In addition, with the required endorsements, a Class B license holder can operate Class C vehicles.

Class C CDL

This applies to smaller transportation vehicles such as a 16-passenger vehicle including the driver. This license is also required to transport hazardous materials.

Examples of vehicles allowed under a Class C CDL include a small hazmat vehicle, small truck towing a trailer, or a passenger van.

CDL Requirements

Getting acquainted with the requirements for getting a CDL is essential if you want a career in the commercial transport industry. The requirements we will discuss below also apply to the commercial learner’s permit (CLP) that you will need to be allowed to train before getting a CDL.

Federal requirements for CDL apply to all US States, but remember that each state has state-specific minimum standards for CDL licensing. Therefore, you must check out your state’s CDL requirements before embarking on this quest.

Here are the minimum requirements to be eligible for a CDL:

A valid (non-commercial) driver’s license.

Must have attained at least 21 years of age:

to drive commercial vehicles interstate (across state lines).

to operate a commercial vehicle containing hazardous cargo.

In some states, 18-year-olds can be eligible too but for only intrastate (within the state) travel.

A minimum of one to two years of driving experience based on state laws.

According to 49 CFR 383:71, an applicant needs to provide their proof of citizenship or permanent residency. This can be in the form of:

a social security card or another form of proof of the number or;

other documents such as a green card or the birth certificate.

Must pass all the relevant background screens.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all names of states where one holds a license to drive any vehicle type must be provided for the previous 10 years.

The applicant must not have any active suspensions or revocations of their license in any state.

The regular state driver’s license must be surrendered once the CDL is earned.

It must be certified that the applicant is not subject to any disqualification outlined in the FMCSA 383.51 and neither are they subject to license disqualification under respective state laws, as well as them not having a driver’s license in more than one jurisdiction or state.

They also need to be able to read and speak English in the US.

One must provide a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT card) or in absence of that, a photographic copy of the valid certificate if they are to be eligible for a CDL or CLP. You must always be in possession of the original or photocopy every time you are behind the wheel.

CDL Endorsements

In addition to attaining either a Class A, B, or Class C CDL, you also have the option to earn endorsements. Endorsements allow you to operate more types of commercial vehicles as well as transport certain types of special goods. You can think of them as a form of ‘extra permissions’. Please note the process of earning the seven different types of endorsements will vary from state to state.

Here is a list of the seven different types of CDL endorsements:

(X) Tanker/HAZMAT combo endorsement

(H) Hazardous materials endorsement (HAZMAT)

(P) Passenger Transport endorsement

(N) Liquid Bulk tank/vehicle endorsement (tanker)

(S) School bus/passenger transport combo endorsement

(T) Double/triples endorsement

(V) Student transportation vehicle (‘P’ endorsement required if the motor vehicle being driven requires a CDL and has passengers).

While applying for the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), make sure you have declared what endorsements you intend to earn. Some states may limit the number of endorsements you can get to three while on a CLP. You will, however, be able to add more to your CDL once you have earned it. The process could involve additional requirements such as written tests or road skills tests.

A small fee will also be charged for each additional endorsement. Some endorsements may not require you to take additional background checks, skills tests, or periodic retesting beyond the initial CDL acquisition process. The HAZMAT endorsement is, however, an exception to this based on the strict precautions needed.

CDL Restrictions

While endorsements allow drivers to operate different types of vehicles, restrictions prevent you from driving the specific kind of vehicle covered under the restriction.

Here are the most common CDL restrictions:

L - No Full Air Brakes: With this restriction, you are not allowed to operate a commercial vehicle with full air brakes.

Z - No Authorisation To Operate A CMV With Full Air Brakes: This restriction is applicable when the CDL test is taken in a vehicle with an air over hydraulic brake system. The driver is not authorised to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) equipped with full air brakes.

E - No Manual Transmission: This means that you are prevented from driving any CMV with a manual transmission.

O - Not Authorised To Operate Class A Vehicle With A Fifth Wheel Connection: This restriction prevents you from operating a vehicle with a fifth-wheel connection, also commonly referred to as a tow-hitch.

M - Only Class B and C Passenger Vehicles and School Buses: If a Class A license holder only obtains their passenger or school bus endorsement in a Class B vehicle, then this restriction is placed on their license. It means that the driver can continue operating only Class B and C passenger or school buses.

N - Only Operation of Class C Vehicles Allowed: If you possess a Class B CDL, but only obtain your passenger or school bus endorsement in a Class C vehicle, the ‘N’ restriction is placed on your license. This means you are only allowed to operate school or passenger buses under Class C.

V - Variance: The ‘Variance’ restriction relates to an exemption allowed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), allowing commercial drivers with certain medical conditions to continue operating. The restriction code ‘V’ is placed on the driver’s license to indicate the existence of the medical issue such as visual impairments or a heart condition.

It is possible to have a restriction removed from your CDL. The process of having a restriction removed from your CDL will vary depending on your restriction. However, if you have a restriction because you took your CDL using a CMV lacking some features or equipment, you will need to retake some tests using the right vehicle before you can have your restriction removed.

Commercial Drivers’ License Tests

To get your CDL, you have to pass the CDL test, which involves several parts: a general knowledge test, a number of applicable endorsement tests, and the air brakes test.

For endorsements, the vehicle type you are planning on driving (e.g. tanker, passenger / school bus, double / triple) and whether it is on the Class A, B or C classification determines what endorsements and further tests you must take.

Below, let’s look at each of these tests in greater detail.