Who has their Class A CDL?

[ShowroomShine]

I got mine in 2014 to be able to deliver new machines to customers myself. Class A. Transferring it to NC in a few weeks.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I was able to take (and pass!) my CDL written tests with tanker endorsement, so I now have my CDL learner's permit. It is good for 6 months, and after 2 weeks I can take the road test if I want. That will depend on several factors, the biggest issue getting a truck and trailer with fully licensed co-driver available at the same time during which a test spot is open.

Congratulations!

 

[MesaAZguy]

Congrats Greg!
Its always good to have something you may need down the road. I kept my CDL for years even though I do not plan to drive pro for now.

 

[Cpenn481]

In 2001 I shut down my business. That business owned 3 trucks for transporting our own products to shows. I had no license and knew nothing about "real" trucking. I had to do something so I sold 2 trucks and went to school for 3 weeks because I knew I was too lazy to study for the written. My cousin helped me get started with the business end of trucking and I have never looked back. I still run my own deal and regularly haul tractors from both Kubota and JD out of Georgia and New Holland stuff out of Pa. Also do JD out of Iowa and Illinois. Also do a lot of military equipment and aircraft engines and other parts for GE, Boeing, Pratt and Witney and some airline stuff. Having a CDL has been good to my family. It put my daughter through Law School and now my son drives for me too. Government regulation gets tougher every year and it would be nice if I could say all the new regs make the roads more safe but the truth is it doesn't and just makes drivers and companies have to jump through more hoops and spend more money. I run all of North America except for Mexico. Yes I go to Alaska too. A new guy in this biz can starve to death but if he keeps his or her eyes on the big picture it does eventually pay off. If you are just getting started I wish you well.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Thanks to all...

I am getting my CDL so I can be a more well-rounded employee, but not interested in over-the-road trucking, or even driving big rigs daily. However, i do hope to be able to fill in for drivers at my work, be it in the hot-shot truck, or other big trucks. As a mechanic in our crew truck shop, I simply want to add some variation to my daily routine. The more things I can do, the better my chances of keeping my job and better pay.

 

[Tractorboy88]

Get those credentials yet?

 

[dieselcrawler]

I have only had the chance to get out on the road once so far. I can't expect my employer to let me just go drive and not do the job I was hired for, just to get drive time in... it has to be when things in my shop are slow, and it's a local run. I did get to make a run in a rollback last week, drove back from delivering an excavator to a job.

 

[dieselcrawler]

After nearly a whole year, I snuck in a little off-the-clock drive time, and took the test earlier this morning. Lucked out, getting easy test maneuvers, and despite my lack of skill shifting an 18 speed in a Kenworth, passed the test.

 

[FredH]

After nearly a whole year, I snuck in a little off-the-clock drive time, and took the test earlier this morning. Lucked out, getting easy test maneuvers, and despite my lack of skill shifting an 18 speed in a Kenworth, passed the test.

Congratulations :thumbsup:

I really like what You wrote about being a better , rounded employee . Nice seeing someone looking out for their employer :thumbsup:

Fred H.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I'm really looking out for my employer... they appreciate it so much that, in the past year, my hours have been cut to 40/week max, no overtime, (down from nearly 50/wk) and paycuts across the board that caused me to loose 18% of my hourly wage. I'm thrilled. The drive time and test were kinda slid thru under the radar of the management.