Is this too much to obtain a CDL?

[k3n]

A prime reason for me to obtain a CDL ("Commercial driving license", lol at an individual that thought it was California Driving License) would be due to my clean driving record (luckily), and to take some temporary side work if the opportunity presented itself. I know just like the IT industry (ugh), if you don't have work experience (including unpaid internships?), you're not gonna get far.

But the following PDF of a community states $3,800 in costs total. Is that reasonable?

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/media/ceed/cdl.pdf

Again, I'm mainly interested in the skill in driving/handling an 18 wheeler, not necessarily acquiring a job with it, unless I need to, assuming anyone would hire, with lack of work experience.

I have a technical/"STEM" associates degree by the way.

 

[fstime]

I know somebody who spent 5 grand years ago to get a class A CDL, $3,800 sounds pretty reasonable.

Others can get lucky and have their company pay for the whole thing, I know the electric company does that here.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I got a free booklet at the dmv to study for my written exam. Studied it for about a week or two and took the test at the dmv. I passed it and that gave me my learners permit. That basically means I could drive a cdl class A truck with a licensed cdl driver. Once I had that I rented one of those trucks you see with the side plastered with the saying "Rent me for your cdl road test." Guy took me out for about 3 days of training which gave me enough to pass a cdl road test. Truck only had a 27 foot trailer and wasn't a true truck transmission. He also had duct tape lines on the side of the trailer so I'd know when to turn the steering wheel when backing up. Basically the truck was made to be as easy as possible to learn so you could pass a cdl test. It really was nothing like driving an actual 18 wheeler. I paid $300 bucks to rent the truck. I passed the test first try. I then took said cdl drivers license and applied to every job within 60 miles. Lucky me one place 60 miles one way from my house needed drivers so badly that they hired me on and they trained me. I'm not going to lie and say it was easy. There were many nights I wondered if I was going to get it down. I'd suck it up and show back up the next day ready to try it again. Long story short I got it down and found a job 8 miles from my house.

 

[fstime]

I got a free booklet at the dmv to study for my written exam. Studied it for about a week or two and took the test at the dmv. I passed it and that gave me my learners permit. That basically means I could drive a cdl class A truck with a licensed cdl driver. Once I had that I rented one of those trucks you see with the side plastered with the saying "Rent me for your cdl road test." Guy took me out for about 3 days of training which gave me enough to pass a cdl road test. Truck only had a 27 foot trailer and wasn't a true truck transmission. He also had duct tape lines on the side of the trailer so I'd know when to turn the steering wheel when backing up. Basically the truck was made to be as easy as possible to learn so you could pass a cdl test. It really was nothing like driving an actual 18 wheeler. I paid $300 bucks to rent the truck. I passed the test first try. I then took said cdl drivers license and applied to every job within 60 miles. Lucky me one place 60 miles one way from my house needed drivers so badly that they hired me on and they trained me. I'm not going to lie and say it was easy. There were many nights I wondered if I was going to get it down. I'd suck it up and show back up the next day ready to try it again. Long story short I got it down and found a job 8 miles from my house.

Yeah, but you also get what you pay for. Getting 80 hours of experience including many hours of actually driving an 18 wheeler is useful, especially so you don't do something idiotic and kill someone when your actually driving one for-real.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I knew it wouldn't be long before someone came in and started telling me about driving an eighteen wheeler. lol.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

BTW I've seen first hand how "trained" these guys are straight out of truck driving school. Needless to say that truck driving certificate is about as worthless as shit paper.

 

[RockinZ28]

Know there are places in L.A. that charge far less than that.

I wouldn't want the liability. Double the fine, double the points on any ticket, even in your personal vehicle. Last ticket I got for exceeding 65mph cost over $500 without a cdl.

 

[WiseUp216]

I'm currently a materials manager in the automotive industry. Occasionally, I need to hire temporary CDL drivers. 5 out of my last 6 drivers came in with their CDL and couldn't drive a box truck with a 6 speed manual transmission. None of them lasted a day.

I'm pretty sure they'll give anyone a CDL.

 

[fstime]

DUI limit for a breathalyzer is lower for CDL carriers also.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Yes dui limit is lower. Fines are the same and points are the same although you can't defer tickets or do defensive driving to get them off your record. Basically any tickets while you're a cdl driver expect to hire a lawyer to fight to keep it off your record.

 

[k3n]

A truly awakening thread, thanks

 

[bbhaag]

At my last job I had to get my CDL. I only went for my Class B though with combination and air brakes endorsements. I basically did the same thing as OILFIELDTRASH. I studied the booklet and took the written exam. Once I got my permit I was able to drive around with my co-worker. After about a week I took the driving exam and passed.

A Class B is completely different than getting your Class A though. I would not be comfortable doing what I did and then sit behind the wheel of a semi truck driving down the road.

If this is something you're seriously interested in I would suggest taking the class even if it is expensive.

 

[BoomerD]

Yes dui limit is lower. Fines are the same and points are the same although you can't defer tickets or do defensive driving to get them off your record. Basically any tickets while you're a cdl driver expect to hire a lawyer to fight to keep it off your record.

I had my class A CDL for over 30 years...I finally had to let it go because with my FUBAR'D back and knee, I could no longer pass the physical.

I took "driving school" a couple of times to get rid of tickets that were issued while I was driving a commercial vehicle.
Lower DUI limit ONLY applies while you're in a commercial vehicle...not in your personal vehicle. Different states...different rules.
Many tickets issued to commercial drivers never go against their records...those go to the owner of the vehicle. (defective equipment and the like.) Yes, speeding and other poor driving tickets are yours...but (at least in the states where I've had my CDL) the commercial driver is allowed many more points than a driver with a normal license. (but you might also get more points for the same violation)

Once again...Different states...different rules.

 

[tcsenter]

I would just get a study guide and book, find relevant resources on the interwebs, study the heck out of those for a couple weeks, pass the written exam, then find a truck driver and offer them $300~$400 to take you out on a Saturday or Sunday for a few hours, ask to go on a day haul with them, something like that.

 

[k3n]

I would just get a study guide and book, find relevant resources on the interwebs, study the heck out of those for a couple weeks, pass the written exam, then find a truck driver and offer them $300~$400 to take you out on a Saturday or Sunday for a few hours, ask to go on a day haul with them, something like that.

This seems like the most logical option. Thanks!

 

[Ruptga]

That's not a bad idea, but you should also count on paying someone to rent a truck to take the test with. I've lived in a few places and none of them have offered the use of a testing vehicle. Also, a class A on its own is good, but to be a shoe-in you'll also need some endorsements such as hazmat.