How to Get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
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Starting a career as a commercial driver in the USA is one of the most rewarding and fastest-growing jobs that you can find yourself in today. There will always be a need for drivers, especially drivers, with commercial drivers and earning a good living from it, especially the long haul drivers. GetMeDrivers.com is actively looking for new drivers.

The number of truckers is high, with over 711 000 trucking businesses with more than 3.5 million people working as truck drivers, which is dominated by 90% of men in all truck driving jobs. Driving large tractor-trailers or delivery trucks is one of the largest occupations in the United States. 

With about 50% of drivers working 40 hour weeks, resulting in a significant portion of drivers are at home every night. Despite the average age of a driver being over 46, new young blood is slowly coming in. On average, truck drivers working full time all year round 40 hour weeks is about US$44,000 annually, lower than the median for all full-time workers ($47,016), but exceed those of other blue-collar jobs per 2016 census. 

The below diagram will show you what age group is predominantly committed to driving trucks we got a big gap on the 16 to 24-year-old age group, and need to have a more significant focus on the sub 44 age group.

How to get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

If you want to drive or commercial vehicle in the United States of America, you are obligated to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). GetMeDrivers.com has generated the following list to help you accomplish getting your commercial driver’s license.

Step 1. – Make contact. Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to ascertain what the local rules and regulations are on a driver’s license. We have compiled a quick list of the CDL licenses per state.

Step 2. – CDL Category. Decide on what category of commercial drivers license (CDL) you want to apply for please visit our blog post to see what class is available for your state.

Type of Driver’s Licenses in the USA

Step 3. – You need to check your eligibility requirements. With each state having its requirements for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) like a residency, medical cover requirements. You need to be at least between the ages of 18 and 21 to drive across states lines as a long haul driver.

  • You need to be a resident to a state where you will be applying for a Commercial Driver‘s License (CDL), in some instances you need to stay there for a few months before you will be allowed to apply for your Commercial Driver‘s License (CDL).
  • In particular, states, you need to be over the age of 21 to work as a commercial driver’s license even with the company operating a single state only.

Step 4 – Choose the type of vehicle you want to drive. With three main categories of Commercial Driver‘s License (CDL), you can get different certifications are and endorsements on your cereal that will allow you to transport additional commodities like hazardous cargo. 

Step 5 – Get a copy of your state’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) manual. You will be able to get a copy of this manual from your local DMV office, some state do you have, digital copies available but not all. 

  • You will need to write her knowledge test to obtain a commercial driver’s learners permit. Please study the manual carefully.

Step 6. – Complete serial application form. You will need to provide your current license, serve security number, proof of US citizenship ship or lawful permanent resident permit, and proof of residence in your respective state. You will be able to find the application form at a local DMV office, and in some cases, you will be able to download it online and complete the digital version.

Step 7. – Getting a learner’s permit. You will need to bring the required documents to the local DMV office when applying for your learners permit. You might be required to provide very focal certification or background documents depending on the type of license you’re applying for, such as hazardous goods. You will be able to see what documents are required on the local DMV’s website, and this will save you time from traveling back and forward to obtain the correct documents. You will be required to pay money for your commercial driver’s license, and you will pay for the application, written test and permit fee all at once, and the skills test and license fee later when you passed.

Step 8. – Turn in your application form into your local DMV office along with the required documents in person. If you stay in a larger metropolitan area, please check if you need an appointment or not to turn your application in. Some states, such as California, require you to schedule an appointment if you’re applying for your commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Step 9. – Pass the written test. Before you can get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and start driving, a commercial vehicle needs to demonstrate knowledge of the road rules. All commercial driver’s license (CDL) applications take a general written test. Any endorsements on your commercial driver’s license will require you to write an additional test example transporting hazardous cargo. On completion of your written test, you will know if successful or not on your application. If successful, you will receive your learners permit immediately.

Step 10. – Endorsement. Start the TSA background check process if you plan to drive across state lines or transport hazardous materials, you will be required to do a background check with the federal Transport Security Administration (PSA). You can schedule an appointment online with a TSA agent or call them. This is not free of charge service, and you will be required to pay for the back and check, including fingerprints that need to be done.

Step 11. – Start practicing driving. Some restrictions might vary from permit to permit, but you will not be allowed to drive solo. You will need somebody to drive with you that is in possession of a valid commercial driver’s license. In some states, you will be required to complete the required training set out by the state before you will be legible to do the skills test. The officer at the DMV office will advise you accordingly of any classes you need to attend before getting your full license.

Step 12. – Getting your CDL skills test done. Once you’ve had enough practice in and feel comfortable behind, the will look into taking skills tests necessary to get your full commercial driver’s license done. Remember, you will need to book an appointment, and the next appointment might be in a couple of months only.

Step 13. – Driving Test. You will need to go for a driving test in the required size vehicle and being accompanied by a DMV inspector. The DMV inspector needs to validate that you can drive a truck comfortable to match the class of your commercial driver’s license (CDL). The test will include managing traffic, road signs, transmission, and air brakes. If you fail your first attempt, you will be allowed to re-take the test 3 times.

Step 14. – Receive your commercial driver’s license (CDL). You will need to check with your local DMV office had to collect your commercial driver’s license in most cases will be able to because the next day from the local office, some offices will post your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to your home address. Please check all the details on your CDL to make sure all your information has been captured correctly, and your card has been issued correctly.

Please be aware that federal regulations that no permits the issue of temporary commercial driver licenses.