Any downsides to getting a CDL?
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tjkubota93
Veteran Member
I have one from my work.
I dont know about the rules, but every time it comes up for renewal I either have to show a dot card from dr or my government id badge (then it has a government only restriction).
It costs a few bucks more to renew.
I haven't got a ticket since I have had the cdl (10 years)
The limit goes from .08 to .02 no matter what you are driving
Technically you are supposed to have a pre-trip inspection every day. To be within the rules, keep a filled out one with blank date.
To pass the test you kinda need to know how air brakes work. They are easier than regular brakes.
Drawback = red tape to get it.
You can got to the driver license place and get a study book for the written part. Then you pay your money and take it.
After passing that, you do a driving test (bring your own vehicle). We drove around town a little. Then I had to parallel park the truck and trailer.
Yes it is a hassle and a money grab I think. As long as a person checks out perfectly on the physical I think the time span should be longer than 2 years. If someone was borderline or had a condition that might progress than require it more frequently as necessary.
I got my class A CDL in 2015 or 16. I read the book one night, passed the written test the next morning, and then rented a truck to take the driving part. I had never driven a semi in my life and I only practiced maybe 30 minutes before I took the driving test and I passed with a 92/100. Quite frankly I think the test is too easy.
I got my class A CDL in 2015 or 16. I read the book one night, passed the written test the next morning, and then rented a truck to take the driving part. I had never driven a semi in my life and I only practiced maybe 30 minutes before I took the driving test and I passed with a 92/100. Quite frankly I think the test is too easy.
tjkubota93
Veteran Member
They did the same to all the older fellas at work. When they started requiring it, they "grandfathered" them in.
This is not correct. The limit while driving a CMV is .04 for a DUI and you are not permitted to drive a CMV at all within four hours of consuming any alcohol. These limits do not carry over to non CMVs. It is a common misconception that they do but the limit is .08 in your personal car if you have a CDL just like everyone else.
Morning Wood
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If I were going to get the license I’d just bite the bullet and go to the school. That way it’s in their best interest to get you out of there with a CDL license in hand. I know the pre check is a real biatch.
I don’t have a CDL, but I do have a dot number. I just got it recently. I only haul my own property, my truck is registered over 10k, and I pull a trailer over 10k, but my registered GCWR is 26k. So no CDL. I was told that all I need is the dot # and a UCR registration which is like 60-70 bucks a year. That’s it, since I’m a private carrier. So far so good.
I don’t have a CDL, but I do have a dot number. I just got it recently. I only haul my own property, my truck is registered over 10k, and I pull a trailer over 10k, but my registered GCWR is 26k. So no CDL. I was told that all I need is the dot # and a UCR registration which is like 60-70 bucks a year. That’s it, since I’m a private carrier. So far so good.
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4570Man
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If the truck driving class is 6k as mentioned earlier it ain’t happening. I have made it to the DMV where they didn’t have a CDL book but I haven’t been by the truck driving school yet.
In your case, I think it would be a total waste of time and money and not really benefit you as hoped.
tjkubota93
Veteran Member
I was told that was the rule here in TN. Is it the same everywhere?
Edit- just looked on google, your right.