Yup, you are going to need to get a physical...I never went to school for driving just studied the book and went and got a commercial physical, it took me three attemps but got it!!! IDK if you go to school if they will help with this or not, but in AZ they wont let you take the test until they got a copy of your long form and medical card on file. Good luck and study hard the test is in all GOV'T lingo and worded silly!!!

 

I think the high dollar classes are a waste of time. If you have the option to ride with a family member/friend or get the "learner" (lack of better diction) permit will be the best way to go. You'll definitely get the most experience from them than the classes.

With that being said, I'm sure the classes teach you alot about the book side of things, but you'll never know until you get behind the wheel.

The tests for my was extremely easy as I'd been driving farm to market for a while and was familar with my vehicle capabilities.

 

Yes, I really agree. That is how I learned to drive large equipment such as the large International Harvestor 4wd tractors when I was younger! Another person in the cab could show me 100% of the controls, and the do's and don'ts of the equipment. This is the best way to learn a semi. In the middle of no where with a friend! Very true guys

 

Good point, forgot all about the physical. Here in NY it was easy just download the form from the DMV website and find a doc in the box to do the exam and your done. As long as your not blind, diabetic, deaf or have real bad heart problems.

 

I went to NETTTS back in '95 and at that point the class was 20 weeks. I paid $5000 but by the time I was done the tuition was $6500. High dollars but NETTTS is considered a college so you can get a student loan to go there.
If you wear glasses or contacts you need a spare pair with you during the test.
When you take the test Only take combination and air brakes No other endorsements. If you take the other endorsements at the same time to "get them out of the way" the inspector can ask you questions about those endorsements while you are taking the test to screw you up on purpose. Take the other endorsements after they only cost $10 each and are written tests only.
Learn how to back up w/o looking through the back window. Use mirrors ONLY. They Will fail you for this.
When doing the pre-trip touch Everything. As you walk down the side of the truck touch everything even if it's not in the book this way you can't forget something. Everything each lug nut, reflector, frame bolts everything. Most times if you that thorough the inspector will stop you and just ask you what's different on the passenger side rather than listen to you again. When doing the inside do everything in order. What ever order you want just don't forget anything. Do it again and again till you get the order down pat. It'll be easier this way when you take the test.
After getting your permit think of the test in stages. Pre-trip & Drop'n Hook , Maneuvers, and Driving. Each of those are separate tests, if you pass the pre-trip & drop'n hook but fail in the maneuvers you then upon the next test attempt start at maneuvers and skip the pre-trip & drop'n hook.

 

While a lot of the class time was boring, 1/2 of the time is on the road. I spent 10 weeks in a class room and 10 weeks on the road. I found out afterwards that I could've gotten my permit on my own and skipped the first ten weeks. NETTTS had to have a certain amount of classroom time to keep the college status. But I did learn a lot of other knowledge that became useful later. For instance the school had a video on haz-mat training we watched a whole bunch of times, passed the haz-mat endorsement test first try.

 

hey, great news! Moved over here and I am working at a scrap yard. My boss is helping me get my cdl as long as I work for him! He's just glad I have goals, and wants to help me out

 

I am learning on his peterbuilt with a 10 sp eaton fuller right now! Its so great! I can get a driving permit here in michigan for 35$ when I am ready! So great thanks for all of your help!

 

Good luck bro!

 

If testing/ applying for tank or hazmat endorsements you will also have to $pend more getting a TSA security screening. Just study the pre-trip and you will be fine. Keep in mind whatever you take to do the test in might not HAVE everything covered in all aspects of the pre-trip so be prepared to answer the "what if's" for equipment not there. For example I took mine in a 3 axle wrecker towing a 40' RV, no air brakes on the RV so he made me go through the pre-trip as if it were a trailer with air. One more thing.......... GOOD LUCK!

 

One more thing.......be aware of the allowed BAC once you have a commercial license! Does not matter if you are driving a commercial vehicle or not.

 

Thanks for your help. I don't drink and drive and I am glad that I do not. I am going to be twenty in may. My boss is showing me his trucks. Hes got a nice peterbuilt, a ford, and a kenworth semi. He has a big ford truck with air brakes, 6 wreckers, all kinds of things I can learn how to opperate. I picked up the michigan cdl requirements and things like that from the secretry of state! Really neat to look though. I am starting to study all this stuff Thanks. My "Master Certified Truck Technician" certifications + My cdl driver licence means I will finally have a steady job somewhere. This will be nice! Thanks guys!

 

See if you can find a good union job with a pension. Maybe a goverment job like the post office. I know they were looking for a diesel mechanic not to far from me last year.

Or.....USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site

 

well, working here at the scrap yard my boss had me back up his truck and trailor. Its a Peterbuilt rig, with a Catipilar Engine, and A super 10 eaton- fuller tranny. WOW! What a feeling to drive one. They have such massive power. Everyone tries to say it is more complex than it really is. Fact is, I did well... alright. My boss didn't really help me. He just said to release the brakes and back it up keeping it straight. Its an on top of the world feeling to get behind the wheel of a peterbuilt. I know pre inspection, hooking to a trailor including the red (emergency line) & blue (the service line), How to shift a super ten, and some driving. I like these trucks a lot. I like air brakes. Im becoming very interested infact. I am getting to learn more soon thanks to my boss!

 

Glad to hear things are going well for you!

Even though you may not be planning on driving professionally, I have some advice for you.

Develop a routine for everything you do. Hooking, unhooking, pre-trip, post-trip, in route vehicle inspection, etc. Find a method which you will remember and be thorough about it. Once you find your method, don't ever skip steps.

Carelessness is by far the number one reason for incidents with commercial vehicles. Many companies will treat even minor incidents as accidents. As long as you take the time to do the job right you will ALWAYS have a job!