How hard is it to obtain a cdl

[kristen821]

Dh was just offered a job as a street sweeper. He must have a cdl by March 1st. How hard is it to pass the test for your cdl? Are there any tips you can give? Thank you for your help!

 

[shortbun]

Dh was just offered a job as a street sweeper. He must have a cdl by March 1st. How hard is it to pass the test for your cdl? Are there any tips you can give? Thank you for your help!

In Ohio it takes some serious studying to pass the permit test and then at least one driving test depending on which class of CDL you desire.

 

[mudnuri]

The permit is just written- 20-25 questions

the cdl driving test can be hard- depending on how much experience he has behind the wheel of a big rig. Also depends on what truck he's using to take the test if its air braked- he has to get air brake endorsements...if its tandem- etc..

It's not a walk in the park- but DMV's have books on the test

also- why would he need a cdl for a street sweeper? Thats not ovreweight, doesnt have air brakes, etc...sounds to me like its a highway position, and they want him to drive dump trucks too?

The written test also entails a pretrip inspection- you have to physically walk around the entire truck, looking at a ton of places, point out what your looking for, and explain why your looking...brakes, tires, bolts, hoses, cables etc... thats usually where people fail.

Brandy

 

[eeyoreiscool]

Depending on which class he needs it could range from being difficult to being easy. The class A (semi's and such) can be fairly stringent and allow less room for error. Class C (small trucks and busses) is fairly easy if you get the manual. It seems that if you don't need air brake training, they are fairly easy to get.

 

[reddixie]

Some times it is dependant on the type of vehicle and its GW as to what class you need. My DH has CDL with haz mats(the most difficult) needed for fuel trucks in his co., doubles, triples, trailers. He has been driving for 30 years but had to go and get them about 3 years ago after a 5 year hiatus. He let them slip. Well the written test was the hardest for him as he is a mechanic and can drive anything. He said that they try to trick you on the written. He took the written in SC and then FL. The driving part he breezed through the first time. I think if your DH can drive a semi and can study the book he might be ok. Keep in mind that you have to do a safety check of your vehicle before going on the road. That is part of the written and driving test.

 

[kristen821]

thank you everyone for your replies! It sounds like a lot of studing.

 

[dcgrumpy]

DH got his Class A last year. He had to take a week or two of classes through work. I don't recall him doing any studying at home.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

If he can, find out what type of CDL he is required to get. There's no point in getting a haz-mat endorsement if he doesn't need it. Also, get the book from the DMV. It goes over everything they will test you on, and what they're looking for on a pre-trip. If he's never driven any type of truck, make sure he spends quite a bit of time driving one before he takes the test. I don't know about other states, but in NH, when you go to take the test, you need to bring your own truck, with a CDL licensed driver, to take the test.

Jen