One of my friends went through a course to get his CDL. He said its $3500 and only takes 3 months. 1st month in classroom, next 2 doing manuvers. 3 1/2 hour class a day. Does this sound right? He got a lot of stuff with his CDL so he can haul HC and some AAA stuff or something like that. I have a heart murmor, will this affect me if I do this? I always wanted to drive the big diesels and I could use the money. He mentioned some places to get loans and stuff to help, but I can't rember them now.

 

Since you have a medical condition that might disqualify you, I would suggest going to your doctor to get a D.O.T. physical for a medical card. If you pass, you've already got your medical card - which you need anyway as a CDL driver. If you fail, you haven't wasted any money on training you can't use.

$3500 sounds typical for Class A training. Once you complete that training, you will be able to get a job with a lower paying company. Until you have experience none of the top carriers will touch you. Get a few years of safe driving experience under your belt and you can find a better job, or if you save up some cash you can buy a truck and become an OO.

 

What are the other benefits of a CDL? I have always been one of those people that would rather have the license and never need it than need it and not have it, but I dont wanna lay out that kinda cash for the same thing my Class D will do.

 

How much is the D.O.T. physical gonna be around?

 

Here in Iowa a dot physical is 100 bucks

 

Will any doctor be able to do it?

 

I went to our DMV and picked up all the information,studied it ,took the writen test and researched and found a place that gave the road tests.I had a physical for the DOT. That allows me to travel accross the state lines,without the physical I can only use the CDL in my own state. (Wisconsin) I don't think I had more than$400.00 into the whole thing.I know if you can land a job with a company that requires a CDL they will sometimes run you thru and pay for everything as well.At least thats the way things are here in WI. it may vary state to state.Any doctor can do the physical.

 

I went to TXDOT, got the study material, took the tests and now have a CDL. I didn't have a rig with air brakes for the check ride so I don't have the airbrake endorsement. Cost me $60 (paid to TXDOT)

 

Most clinics will do a DOT physical . It's good for 2 years . Don't go for HAZMAT . You have to pay $90 for a background check for that . Some colleges have CDL training . They cost less and give good training .

 

some things to think about, if you refuse to take a breathalizer, you loose your cdl. if you take a breathalizer and hit a .04 you loose your license[aka d.w.i.]. that is one beer for most folks. i was going to get one but i do enjoy drinking a beer or two and i can't afford to loose my license. when you get a cdl you are held to a higher standard. now what i have stated is for the state of texas, i am not sure for other states. but it is something to keep in mind. and this is not while you are driving a commericial rig. it is at all times you are on the road. personal truck or car.

 

I was finally forced to get a cdl (threatened by the dot if I was caught again). I went to a place in Sedalia,Mo. that had the truck and short lowboy, this has been a few years ago. I think it cost 300 right now and they will teach you the walk around and the driving of the truck and take you to the place they give test. The truck they use is a short day cab automatic diesel with a short lowboy on it. It worked real good for me but I had several years driving dumptrucks and road tractors. I bet there is are places like this all over the country. You can also get you're permit and if you can find someone to drive with get alot of experience that way. Good Luck ps. I tought the .04 only aplies if you are in a comercial vehicle when you are caught?

 

some carriers will train you, some will pay you to train with them! took me about 3 months and a few miles on the road to get mine, but all the time i spent training was paid. if you meet the requirements and have a high tolerance for road rage, it's a worthwhile investment of your time and maybe money. seriously i'd pick up a trucker magazine at the truck stop, look at the ads and see who will train you.

 

The only drawback to paid training is that you have to sign a contract to work for that carrier for a specified amount of time. You have to go in with the understanding that you will get all the crappy runs - and you are stuck there - for a couple years. As long as you're OK with that the paid training option is a good deal, and the only way to go if you can't afford to pay a school.

 

I dono why anyone would want one unless you like working for nothing......devide the hours into the $$ and see what I mean.......inless your union and drive UPS or cement truck .......just skip it. The OTR stuff dose not pay.