How To Get A CDL In 2022

Picking The Right School For You.

When choosing a CDL school, you only get one shot at a great or not so great experience, to learn a lot or a little. Some schools will teach you to pass the test exam, and others will teach you beyond the required test material. When choosing the right school for you, start with a locally owned CDL school with a solid reputation in the community and high Google reviews. Why do Google reviews matter? Google reviews will help you learn about the schools before setting foot into them. You will learn about students' frustrations, school shortcomings, and the great schools that ensure you are taken care of. Take a Tour of the school, talk with other students and ask them about their experience.

Not all schools are built the same. Some are called CDL Mills, which means they grab your tuition and push you out the door, safe or unsafe.  Most local schools allow recruiters from across America to talk with students about job opportunities, local and regional.  Some of the larger schools across America are contacted by big companies that don't allow local or OTR recruiters to speak to students during class. Unless you are ready to sign a contract with a large carrier, your chances of someone coming into the school and offering you a local job are about ZERO.  

Make sure to ask your school if they allow outside companies to come in and recruit students. Your goal is to get a job, not just a CDL. If you know where you want to work, reach out to that company and ask if they hire students from the school you would like to attend. Some companies only hire from schools they trust to train students properly.

How Do I Pay For CDL School?

You've found a CDL school you like and are ready to sign up, and you just found out you can't afford it. Before you think you can't afford CDL School, ask where you're going if they offer any assistance inside the school or have outside connections.  Schools that are saturated in the community have funding options available for their students.

Ask your school if they offer any of the following assistance:

• Local WorkSource
• School accepts GI-Bill funding
• Local Tribes for available people
• Woman in Trucking Grants
• Local Department of Labor
• Department of Social Health Services
• Worker Retraining Program
• Carrier Contracts
• Personal Loan Backed By Low-Interest Rates

In conclusion, Find a locally owned CDL school with a solid reputation in the community and high Google reviews. You will have a local job before you graduate and plenty of offers along the way.

What Are The Steps I Can Expect When Getting My CDL?

Step 1 - What to Study?

Your funding is set, and now time to start the process. Study time! Depending on what order your school of choice likes, you can get your permit before class starts and take your online Entry-Level Driver Training Theory Course. But, what do I study for the permit? Good question!

Class A

• General Knowledge 
• Airbrakes 
• Combination

Class B

• General Knowledge 
• Airbrakes

Check your State Website for a digital copy of the CDL Drivers Manual or a local office for a hard copy. 

Step 2 - Commercial Learner's Permit

Once you have studied for the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), it's time to take your CLP test.  When you take your test, you will need to bring some documents to prove your residency.

Bring your driver's license along with one of the following:

• Birth Certificate or Passport
• If you are married and your last name has changed bring your marriage certificate.

Don't have any of those check the list below for approved documents.

Step 3 - DOT Medical Card

Find a local registered provider that can assist you. Check your doctor and see if he offers DOT medical cards as a service. You might be able to get your insurance to pay for it.

When you receive your medical card, you will get a long-form copy and a certificate. The certificate is the one you can keep on you. Your employer will want a copy of your long-form and your certificate, so don't lose it. Make sure in the bottom right corner of your Med Card the examiner marked YES.

Example

• CLP/CDL Applicant/Holder*: (X) Yes  (  )No
  

Step 4 - DOT Drug Test

Anyone doing Safety-sensitive work must take a DOT drug test before operating a commercial motor vehicle. Now that you have your permit and medical card, you can take a DOT drug test. 

Please Note:

You do not want to fail a DOT drug test. You will be required to take a drug recovery program.  Do not show up for a DOT drug test and then leave. If you leave the testing facility before the test has been conducted, it is considered a positive test. All your DOT drug tests results are stored online with the FMCSA Clearing House and visible to future employers.

If you don't think you will pass a drug test, be honest with your school.

Step 5 - Time To Start School

You should now have your:

• Funding ready
• Permit (CLP)
• Medical Card
• DOT Drug Test Completed (sent to school)
• Taken Online Theory Course

What To Bring On The First Day Of School:

• Permit (CLP)
• Medical Card
• Funding if needed
• Safety vest so you don't get run over
• Wear clothing that is not loose, loose clothing can get caught in engine belts and moving parts.
• Light boots or hiking shoes, Don't wear new boots that are heavy. You need to protect your feet but also be able to feel the pedals when learning to shift. The larger and harder your boots are, the less you will be able to feel the pedals touching your feet.

Super Important

Step 6 - Test Day Is Coming

You need to have completed all three FMCSA ELDT Training Requirements.

• Theory
• Backing Maneuvers
• Behind the Wheel (BTW)

Your school will be able to submit your scores to FMCSA. Make sure you have also met all local and state training requirements.

You are now ready to schedule your final state exam.  Your school will be the one to set up your test for you. Ask them what the time and location of the exam is.

Important

Don't forget to read your State CDL Manual chapters 12 and 13 to learn about the backing and driving test on your exam.

Helpful Tool:

You can use the link below to see if your training provider has submitted your results.

Step 7 - Test Day

Your skills are now ready for the final exam and its test day.

What To Bring

• Most important, a positive attitude
• Commercial Learner's Permit
• Medical Card
• Money/funds to pay examiner if needed

Make Sure The Truck Has:

• Current insurance card
• Current Registration
• Make sure the vehicle GVRW labels are legible

Final Step - Congratulations!

Your skills are now ready for the final exam and its test day. You've passed your final state exam, and you're as happy as can be. Give your state examiner 24 hours to submit your results.

Head to your local DMV/DOL and finish getting your CDL.  This is also a great time to take your Tank, Hazmat, and Doubles and Triples endorsement before finalizing your CDL.