COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE GUIDE

Need a Commercial Driver's License?

Driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) requires a more significant level of information, experience, abilities, and actual capacities than that expected to drive a non-business vehicle. To get a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), a candidate should pass the two abilities and information testing outfitted to these better expectations. Moreover, CDL holders are held to better quality while operating any sort of motor vehicle on open roads. Serious criminal traffic offenses carried out by a CDL holder can influence their capacity to keep up with their CDL certificate.

A commercial driver’s license is required for the operation of any singular vehicle 26,001 pounds and over (including the combination of a truck/trailer, anything being towed, etc.). This may include many trucks, passenger vans, delivery vans, church vans, school buses, shuttles, etc.

FAQs

When is a CDL required? A CDL is required to operate certain types of commercial vehicles, including passenger vans, delivery vans, trucks and school buses.
What are CDL weight requirements? A commercial driver’s license is required for the operation of any singular vehicle 26,001 pounds and over (including the combination of a truck/trailer, anything being towed, etc.).
Does a truck with air brakes require a CDL? No. This is a common misconception; a CDL is not required to operate a truck with air brakes as long as the GVWR is 26,000 lbs. or less.

Ready to Start?

Are you all set to begin your next journey? Make sure you are ready to take the next step by having all the requirements ready;

DOT Medical Card
Commercial Learner's Permit
ELDT Theory (IF APPLICABLE)

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requirements

CDL Requirements

Welcome to the Commercial Driver's License Guide. Here you will find the information needed to reach success. All requirements apply to our Trucking School.

In your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), various theory tests must be taken on a computer or paper. They are available in English or Spanish. Tests will depend on the type of CDL you are looking for. Applicants for a Commercial Driver's License are required;

Valid Operator’s License
Pass vision requirement,
Basic English (For Skills Test)
Pass Knowledge and Skills tests.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. If under 21, intrastate operation restrictions will apply. Meaning, that you are able to only operate within your state.

NOTE:

A DOT physical examination with your preferred physician should be done before obtaining your permit.

When passing the required knowledge tests at your DMV, a CDL driving permit will be given to you. This document allows you to start training but it is necessary to wait two weeks for the skills test.

DOT Medical Card

CDL Requirements

All applicants trying to obtain a Commercial Driver's License must have a valid medical card.

The DOT Health Card is an important part of the medical document when driving a commercial vehicle. In order to keep the driver on the road, it is often necessary to help the driver get a physical Department of Transportation (DOT) card and a DOT health card as soon as possible. Scheduling a DOT test in a regular clinic can take days or weeks. In the meantime, operational nightmares can occur if the driver is unable to work.

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Commercial Learner's Pemit (CLP)

ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING (ELDT)

A Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) is a permit from your state of residence that allows you to practice your driving skills in a commercial vehicle. Obtaining a CLP is one of the first things you need to do before beginning training behind the wheel for the skills test.

The commercial learner's permit (CLP) approves you to rehearse on an open road with a certified CDL holder sitting next to you. Getting the permit includes something beyond finishing all the information assessments for the kind of driving you need to do. To ensure that you are qualified your driving record is checked throughout the previous 10 years in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. You really want to get the confirmation that your state acknowledges showing that you are medically qualified. Most kinds of commercial driving require a DOT medical card, requiring a DOT physical. Your state might require explicit reports it needs to see to prove your name and evidence of residency. There are charges for getting the CLP. Perusing and adhering to the directions in your state's CDL Manual smoothes out the process.

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ENTRY-LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING (ELDT)

ELDT applies only to any Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) after

February 7, 2022.

If you are applying to obtain a Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for the first time, you must take and pass the Class A or B Theory Course. ELDT Theory Course MUST be completed before the first week of Training. ELDT Theory Course can be found at: www.A1eldt.com Once you completed the ELDT Theory Course a Certification will be issued, you must present the certificate to Florida CDL Trucking School

Source:

flhsmv.gov

https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/commercial-motor-vehicle-drivers/commercial-driver-license/

fmcsa.dot.gov

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/entry-level-driver-training-eldt

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