Getting a Class B drivers license?

[leech~~]

I've been working in Mfg for about 35 years and would like to look into trying something else like maybe a driving job. Don't really want to do over the road because I like to be home to fish and hunt on the weekends so don't need a class A. How was taking the test and where did you round up a truck to test with? Could you rent a big Rider truck to take the test in?

[Dozer]

Personaly I would just get a Class A, its going to open up alot more jobs.

Google "Class A Leasing" its exactly what you need.

I don't know anybody who has used it but I see there trucks all the time.

[Wolffy]

i just got my class A. I used my uncles farm semi. If I were you I would just go ahead and get the Class A. With that it opens many more opportunities and less restrictions on what you can and cant do. There are many truck jobs around here that are 9-5 jobs where you work 5 days a week. With the class A I felt the hardest part was the written tests. There are many schools around the state that offer courses that will go over the stuff to pass the written test and also practice with you in their truck. They will also supply you the truck to take the driving test. I do not know what these schools cost tho.

[Big Dave2]

Listen to the other posters above and get the class A as long as you are doing it. My Dad was a truck driver all of his life and spent the last 20+ years driving local dump truck but on occasion they still wanted him to haul equipment and such. He was a lot more versatile and therefore worth more to his employer than a driver with only a class B.

[leech~~]

The school classes are about $3 grand for a class A! Do you have to take a B then an A or just go for the A? I think it maybe a lot harder to find a Semi to test in then a smaller truck?

[creepworm]

You can go straight to the class A, do not need to get a class b first.

I went through Class A Leasing as Dozer mentioned. $460 and I feel if you have any experience driving and backing a trailer you are basically guaranteed to pass if you go through them. They start out going over the pre-trip several times (the hardest part of the test) several times and have you practice several times. Next, they have a course set up basically the same as the testing location. You go through this course until they feel you do well enough to pass. Then, you drive around on the roads and they take you down the roads that you will go down during testing, pointing out any areas that may be a little tricky and what they will look for during testing.

It is almost cheating using Class A Leasing. You use their trucks, a small dump truck with a flatbed with air brakes and a car trailer with hydraulic brakes, but if you are looking to get your class A quickly, it is certainly worth the $460.

Forgot to mention, you will need your permit in order to take the driving test. The permit is obtained by taking a written test. The test is not that hard, read the book and pay attention to the air brake testing procedures and you should be good for that.

Just google Class A Leasing to find their HSOforum.

[leech~~]

How about the DOT physical needed. Do you just set that up with your own Doc or do you have to set it up with the DOT somewhere? Thanks for all the ideas.

[MinnesotaMike]

You can go to any Doc even Chiropractor and get the physical. Just tell them you want the DOT physical.

Get the Class A, I have it but don't use it. The written test is easy, read the book and when taking the electronic test, if there is a question you are not sure about you can skip it. It will bring up the next question you will not go back to the last question. Just keep skipping until you pass.

At least it was like that when I took the test.

Good Luck,

Mike

[creepworm]

You may want to wait with the DOT physical.. DOT employers are legally obligated to pay for the physical so waiting until you are hired could save you $100 or so.

[icehole10]

I have had a class A license for about 12-15yrs. I don't drive over the road, but my job (Truck sales rep) requires that I have one. I used to drive a lot more when I was in the service department. The first thing I would do is pick up the commercial drivers study guide and read through that. You can probably do it on line these days. Study up on the rules and go get your class A permit (written test). From there you could always go through one of the schools to get your driving experience, or if you know someone who has a truck maybe they could help you out. I had a cousin that let me drive his truck around a few times. As far as the physical, not sure where you are located, but you can walk into Sanford (the one located in the industrial park) here in Fargo and have a physical done. I have also found out that there are a lot of chiropractors that will also perform the DOT physicals.

[icehole10]

You may want to wait with the DOT physical.. DOT employers are legally obligated to pay for the physical so waiting until you are hired could save you $100 or so.

Unless you have any health issues that may prevent you from getting a class A, you would want to check into that before going through the work of getting a class A license.

[bltbowhunter]

I studied for the written portion of the test using cristcdl dot com. Take the general knowledge, air brake, and combination test over and over again on the above mentioned dot com until you ace all of the tests. I also took the double/triple, tanker, and hazmat tests so I could get those endorsements. I would recommend getting the tanker. It's only 20 questions and it's a one time test. Once I did that, I went in to the testing station and took the written test. I aced the whole thing and only used the above mentioned web address to "study". The questions are exactly the same as the web address. After that I went and got my DOT physical. You will need this before hand if you plan on practicing behind the wheel. (Companies are NOT required to pay for these, but a lot of them do. My company does not pay for them.)

I then made an appointment with Class A leasing. Using them is super easy. It's just like driving a pickup truck and a trailer. It's only $460 bucks for a one time use of the truck and trailer. It's a little less if you pay with cash. If you are in the Laborers union, your union will cover 1 test for you through Class A Leasing. Get the class A license. Don't bother with the class B. Class B lets you drive any truck on the road, but restricts the trailer that you can tow to 10,000 lbs or less.

Once you pass your behind the wheel in Arden Hills, you will go inside and they will take your picture and issue a new driver's license. This is also why you are going to want your health card before you take your test. You will need this to Self Certify, meaning basically that you have to send your health card into the state and certify to the type of driving that you will be doing (most likely Non-exempt interstate.) You can do this at a later time, but it's nice to get everything done all at once.

[leech~~]

Good thought's Blt, no tanker driving for me unless it's orange juice! Don't want to end up a crispy critter!

[MJ1657]

I currently drive truck. Its a mix of local, regional and otr. Basically stick around the upper Midwest. Likes others have said skip the b license get your a and do it through Class A Leasing. That's how I got mine and they are great. Study and take your written test on your own then give them a call.

There are some new rules in place for dot physicals. I used to get mine from my regular doctor. They were a routine physical with some eye and hearing tests and extra paperwork. Doctors now have to be certified to do dot physicals. Google it and you can find a list of certified providers.

[bak2MN]

Just make sure the health card is gotten through a certified location a lot of new federal rules and regs coming forth.

[delcecchi]

And I think you have to have a pretty clean driving record also, although maybe that is mostly and employer thing. Had a truck driving neighbor that made a mistake one weekend and now he is not a truck driving neighbor but just a neighbor, due to a dui.

[Powerstroke]

Leech, I'm not trying to pick on you, but it seems like you're not quite up on what each of the classifications means. I see no one else has clarified so I thought I would point it out.

Class B license covers any vehicle or combination that weighs more than 26000 pounds as long as the trailer isn't over 10000 lbs. So that can mean dump truck, dock truck, flatbed etc. Also the rating of the vehicle goes by what the OEM rates it for, not what the truck weighs at the moment. There are additional categories that can make you a CMV, but this is the most common definition.

Class A license means towing a trailer that weighs more than 10,000 pounds. So, even a 1-ton pickup pulling a heavy duty trailer with a bobcat can be a class A vehicle. A semi is just one type of vehicle with a trailer. Heck if you were driving just the semi tractor without a trailer attached you do not need a class A. The Class A license is nothing more than a large trailer endorsement.

Tankers are trucks with a tank containing more than 1000 gallons (I think, its been a while) of ANY liquid. If you're hauling liquid fertilizer, milk or just a water truck you need a tanker endorsement. Lots of things move in tankers.

Don't forget about Air brakes. Air brakes is a restriction until you pass the air brake test. IN other words, you can operate a Class B truck with conventional brakes if you don't pass the air brake test. Once you pass the airbrake tests, they remove the restriction and you can operate air brake vehicles.

The first step is to take the written exam. You can take it once a day and as many times as needed. I grabbed the manual from the DMV and studied, but that was before online stuff was available. I would try to HSOforum mentioned if its free.

Once you get your CDL permit, then I would focus on getting your physical and taking the classes if you don't have a vehicle to practice with. The tests are very straight forward and the only difference is you perform the A test with a trailer attached. I took mine in a flatbed truck towing a flatbed trailer.

I agree that you should go for your Class A with air brakes and take the test for tanker endorsement. Those are the most common. That will get you 90% of the jobs. After that a Hazmat would get you a higher wage. I never was a truck driver by trade, but all my labor jobs required me to drive big trucks and trailers. You can find a job for sure.

[leech~~]

Thanks Powerstroke. Why would helping someone with info they don't know yet be picking on them?

[LwnmwnMan2]

And I think you have to have a pretty clean driving record also, although maybe that is mostly and employer thing. Had a truck driving neighbor that made a mistake one weekend and now he is not a truck driving neighbor but just a neighbor, due to a dui.

Federal and state laws are .04 BAC in a commercial vehicle.

If you get a DUI (in a commercial vehicle at .04 or regular vehicle at .08) you lose your CDL for a year automatically.

[Powerstroke]

I don't want you to think I was singling you out. Dang internet makes it hard to judge peoples tone. I'm always trying to help.

Lwnman is correct about the DWI in a CMV. 2 very important details about alcohol and CMV's. Alcohol in a CMV only applies when you are in a CMV> SO, even if you're not working, but you're driving the company truck, the rule is .04BAC. Also, no alcohol is allowed in a CMV, so stopping at the liquer store can get you in trouble. I doubt too many cops will ticket you for that one, but its good to know.

[leech~~]

I don't want you to think I was singling you out. Dang internet makes it hard to judge peoples tone. I'm always trying to help.

Lwnman is correct about the DWI in a CMV. 2 very important details about alcohol and CMV's. Alcohol in a CMV only applies when you are in a CMV> SO, even if you're not working, but you're driving the company truck, the rule is .04BAC. Also, no alcohol is allowed in a CMV, so stopping at the liquer store can get you in trouble. I doubt too many cops will ticket you for that one, but its good to know.

Ya, no DWI's to worry about here.

[Kettle]

I bought a pc program cd on amazon for like 20$ then went through that and read the aur brake portion of the MN book took the written the rented a low boy for like 300$ foe the road test. Would save you time over the classes. Leech where do you live at? I could borrow you thr cd if you want.

Kettle

[leech~~]

I bought a pc program cd on amazon for like 20$ then went through that and read the aur brake portion of the MN book took the written the rented a low boy for like 300$ foe the road test. Would save you time over the classes. Leech where do you live at? I could borrow you thr cd if you want.

Kettle

Brooklyn Center. Is it still up to date cd? Thanks.

[Kettle]

Yea, im up on the range but will be down in the metro next week. I took mine last year. The written test is fairly simple, but test for your class a and get air brake and tanker endorsments will help you out a bit. Shoot me a pm and i can get it to you next week. I'm down about once a month to help out at my mom's place

Kettle

[leech~~]

Yea, im up on the range but will be down in the metro next week. I took mine last year. The written test is fairly simple, but test for your class a and get air brake and tanker endorsments will help you out a bit. Shoot me a pm and i can get it to you next week. I'm down about once a month to help out at my mom's place

Kettle

Kettle, thanks but you don't have to go out of your way. There should be enough training info on line I can start reading up on. Thanks though.

Leech~~