Need CDL advice

[MK20]

I am considering starting a heavy equipment business where having a CDL would be beneficial.

Since our beloved Federal government has seen fit to stick their fucking nose into everything, now you need to take an approved course to even be able to test for your CDL.

What is the absolute easiest, quickest way to get a class A CDL?

Most companies want to tell you how professional and in depth their training is. IDGAF about that and just want to get the stupid stamp to make the feds happy so they fuck off and I can take my CDL test. I can already drive non synchromesh vehicles, and have driven stuff with air brakes before, long trailers, etc.

Driving the vehicle isn't the issue here, especially since 99% of my driving would be on rural roads.

Any of you know of the most down and dirty, cost effective, "approved" training course out there?

Thanks.

 

[pmclaine]

Just send your employees to Massachusetts......each with a snowblower.

You know everyone will be vaccinated so that's a good thing.

Four Massachusetts Troopers Indicted in CDL Fraud Case | Transport Topics

A 74-count federal indictment was filed against four Massachusetts State Police officers and two others in connection with a commercial driver license fraud scheme.

www.ttnews.com

 

[502Chevelle]

Start by learning to properly Pre trip your vehicle. I’m not shitting you. It’s a lot to learn in order. If they want to be a dick during your test, they can fail you there if you miss a thing or two. If you can already drive and shift, you are ahead of the game. When I took my test, I had to do all the backing with a shorty (28’) which was a lot harder than a long box, so that was a little challenging. I hate to say this, but your post sounds pretty complacent, with IDGAF comments, and you don’t seem to care about hauling heavy equipment on narrow rural highways, where accidents happen in the blink of an eye. Even when it’s not your fault, people texting, people blowing stop signs because they are late for juniors soccer game, will cause people to die, if you aren’t on your toes 24/7. When big trucks crash, people die.

 

[Inifinty]

Just send your employees to Massachusetts......each with a snowblower.

You know everyone will be vaccinated so that's a good thing.

Four Massachusetts Troopers Indicted in CDL Fraud Case | Transport Topics

A 74-count federal indictment was filed against four Massachusetts State Police officers and two others in connection with a commercial driver license fraud scheme.

www.ttnews.com

Get your progeny out of there man.

 

[Redmanss]

Just go with one that’s close to you and at a competitive price. There’s thousands out there, they’re all variations of the same with some shitty exceptions to be watchful for. Make sure they provide the truck all the way through the test. Backing skills is easiest with a 40’ flat and a non-sleeper cab, see what they’re using.

When you get your learners, take every written test you can to get the endorsements then, it’s a pain to add one later. Doubles/triples, tank, hazmat if you’re going to go that route, just get them all that you could possibly care for.

Check your local community college/votech, they’re usually a good value in my experience and you might be able to GI Bill that shit if still eligible.

 

[Icallem]

Pre-trip gets more than a few.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Roadmaster driving school

There’s far too many idiots driving trucks that I wouldn’t trust with a potato gun

 

[roostercogburn98]

Roadmaster driving school

There’s far too many idiots driving trucks that I wouldn’t trust with a potato gun

Jeeeeeeeeebuz man, I do read some of these. That was hurtful

 

[MK20]

Start by learning to properly Pre trip your vehicle. I’m not shitting you. It’s a lot to learn in order. If they want to be a dick during your test, they can fail you there if you miss a thing or two. If you can already drive and shift, you are ahead of the game. When I took my test, I had to do all the backing with a shorty (28’) which was a lot harder than a long box, so that was a little challenging. I hate to say this, but your post sounds pretty complacent, with IDGAF comments, and you don’t seem to care about hauling heavy equipment on narrow rural highways, where accidents happen in the blink of an eye. Even when it’s not your fault, people texting, people blowing stop signs because they are late for juniors soccer game, will cause people to die, if you aren’t on your toes 24/7. When big trucks crash, people die.

It's not complacency. Its that I spent 10 years driving all kinds of cdl stuff in the military and instead of being able to just study a bit and take a knowledge test, now I have to pay about 4 grand to learn a bunch of stuff I have already done because the Feds got their tits in a flutter and wanted to "help".

 

[Makinchips208]

Put a SMV triangle on it and call it farm work. lol.

Not sure your needs or plans but if it’s part time moving something maybe you know someone with a cdl who can run your truck for you?

otherwise, sigh on for a year with a company that will pay you and pay for the cdl. some even do it in house.

https://climbcredit.com/resources/trucking/companies-that-pay-for-truck-driving-school/

 

[Ronws]

 

[Pog]

I am considering starting a heavy equipment business where having a CDL would be beneficial.

Since our beloved Federal government has seen fit to stick their fucking nose into everything, now you need to take an approved course to even be able to test for your CDL.

What is the absolute easiest, quickest way to get a class A CDL?

Most companies want to tell you how professional and in depth their training is. IDGAF about that and just want to get the stupid stamp to make the feds happy so they fuck off and I can take my CDL test. I can already drive non synchromesh vehicles, and have driven stuff with air brakes before, long trailers, etc.

Driving the vehicle isn't the issue here, especially since 99% of my driving would be on rural roads.

Any of you know of the most down and dirty, cost effective, "approved" training course out there?

Thanks.

Go work for a shitty paying government agency local to you (local municipal, state highway dept). The cdl will be free pass the test then walk out. The shitty part will be doing the onboarding shit with hr knowing your not staying.

 

[Mbaysinger89]

Go work for a shitty paying government agency local to you (local municipal, state highway dept). The cdl will be free pass the test then walk out. The shitty part will be doing the onboarding shit with hr knowing your not staying.

Then bitch about your taxes going up when your local gov raises them because they are paying for people to take a 5k class that walk out after. Then they raise wages to try to keep help again effecting taxes. Aren't we trying not to raise taxes and be left the fuck alone as non-liberals?

 

[Pog]

Then bitch about your taxes going up when your local gov raises them because they are paying for people to take a 5k class that walk out after. Then they raise wages to try to keep help again effecting taxes. Aren't we trying not to raise taxes and be left the fuck alone as non-liberals?

Most of them have an in house trainer that has submitted their training outline to the state and are approved to train their own employees. The gov isn't paying themselves 5k to send anyone to school to drive a truck.

 

[MK20]

Put a SMV triangle on it and call it farm work. lol.

Not sure your needs or plans but if it’s part time moving something maybe you know someone with a cdl who can run your truck for you?

otherwise, sigh on for a year with a company that will pay you and pay for the cdl. some even do it in house.

https://climbcredit.com/resources/trucking/companies-that-pay-for-truck-driving-school/

Yeah. Up here in the north of the state the opportunity for land development and improvement with stuff like a skid steer, backhoe, and excavator makes it worth my time to start a side business when I am home.

The problem is that the feds say if your trailer load grosses over 10K you need a cdl. Well, you know how stupid that is if you have ever hauled equipment of any size. It all goes over 10K.

So unless I want to piggyback a skidsteer into a dump truck to avoid the trailer altogether I kind of have to get a cdl I think.

I miss the old days where if you knew how to drive it you just drove it and if you did it well nobody gave a shit.

 

[mheimer_45]

Non commercial class A available in your state. As long as the truck says not for hire.

 

[joe777]

Pretty sure if you stay in state and drive a truck at/under 10,000 GVWR, you don't need a CDL. And still pull a fairly heavy trailer like 14-16k

 

[Redmanss]

If you’re staying under 26k and intrastate, but working under a business license, it varies state to state as to what you need.

Go down to your local port of entry/weigh station and get the word from them. They’re the enforcement, they'll tell you exactly what you need or don’t need. None of us here know your specifics, and I’d hate for you to get bum scoop.

Backhoe will put you over 26k GVW real easy, and will catch a trooper’s eye real fast.

There’s still nothing wrong with getting the Class A if you can swing it, even if you don’t absolutely need it right now. That alone can open some side work doors for while you’re building your business, as well as a solid backup plan when business turns downward. Will be easier to step away now during business development period than later when you’re booked 6 months out but want to expand the business to heavier loads, want to rent a side dump for a special project, etc.

I haven’t sat in the cab of a CMV for four years and have a quite solid job, but I still keep a Class A just in case shit goes sideways. It was a pain to get, and too easy to keep to just give it up.

 

[Makinchips208]

Yeah. Up here in the north of the state the opportunity for land development and improvement with stuff like a skid steer, backhoe, and excavator makes it worth my time to start a side business when I am home.

The problem is that the feds say if your trailer load grosses over 10K you need a cdl. Well, you know how stupid that is if you have ever hauled equipment of any size. It all goes over 10K.

So unless I want to piggyback a skidsteer into a dump truck to avoid the trailer altogether I kind of have to get a cdl I think.

I miss the old days where if you knew how to drive it you just drove it and if you did it well nobody gave a shit.

The “not for hire” part is irrelevant to your drivers license requirements in Idaho.
Some exceptions are in place for farm work, but are limited to a 150? mile radius.
And it’s not an RV.

Sounds like in your case there is no getting around a class A drivers license if the trailer exceeds 10k. In that case you need a cdl period, even if gcvw is under 26,000. In Idaho.

Maybe a tilt deck car hauler if gross is under 26000?

 

[TheBigCountry]

Jeeeeeeeeebuz man, I do read some of these. That was hurtful

Your one of the good ones, despite all that airborne shit

 

[lonegunman762x51]

It's not complacency. Its that I spent 10 years driving all kinds of cdl stuff in the military and instead of being able to just study a bit and take a knowledge test, now I have to pay about 4 grand to learn a bunch of stuff I have already done because the Feds got their tits in a flutter and wanted to "help".

If you spent 10 years driving shit in the military apply for veterans retraining under the VA, they will pay for all of it, including tools and pay E5 pay plus BAH for the length of the training.

 

[34vld]

CDL is easy. DOT is not easy. Logs, physicals, insurance, MVR checks. It all comes into play when paying drivers. Yourself or others. Your idgf wont help. You need to learn lots.

 

[34vld]

Oh, and when you show up with the truck you are going to test with, it better be up on all safety items you pre trip inspect and it has to be driven there by a curtent CDL

 

[Ronws]

Billy Bob was at a weigh station when a TxDOT guy climbed up and asked if he could give a quick oral exam and get his recertification.

"Sure."

DOT - "Let us say that you are driving up a slow grade and find yourself reaching a crest. And now, there is a lot more grade gown down than there was going up and you are in high gear and moving fast. What do you do?"

"Down-shift if I can. I don't have a jake brake."

"Well, you are going to fast for that."

"Then I will take my foot off the gas and start applying brakes when I can."

"And those drums heat up and the brakes quit working."

"I will maintain and drive as best I can with the combination of compression and some braking."

DOT- "Well, at the bottom of the hill is a T intersection."

"I will be hanging on the horn and drive through."

DOT - "Well, there is a train track parallel to the T and there is a train coming along and the horn won't help."

"I am going to wake Jake."

DOT - "What will that do?"

"Nothing. But Jake has not seen a wreck like we are about to have."

 

[Sjh2429]

I would check into your local community college or technical college. Where I’m at the local college has a tech campus that has cdl classes that are fairly inexpensive. Couple nights a week for 8-12 weeks and they administer all the testing you need to certify.

 

[MK20]

The “not for hire” part is irrelevant to your drivers license requirements in Idaho.
Some exceptions are in place for farm work, but are limited to a 150? mile radius.
And it’s not an RV.

Sounds like in your case there is no getting around a class A drivers license if the trailer exceeds 10k. In that case you need a cdl period, even if gcvw is under 26,000. In Idaho.

Maybe a tilt deck car hauler if gross is under 26000?

Yeah. It's such a pain as all I really need to haul at first, and maybe at all, is a large skid steer with a mulching attachment.

If I could find a way to easily get that in the bed of a dump truck the cdl would be a non issue as I could easily keep GVW and GVWR below 26K.

The skid steer with attachment is right about 12K.

 

[Redmanss]

I would check into your local community college or technical college. Where I’m at the local college has a tech campus that has cdl classes that are fairly inexpensive. Couple nights a week for 8-12 weeks and they administer all the testing you need to certify.

Bolded is a big plus. Much easier to test from your instructors than one of the state officials, as well as doing it in the vehicle you already know well.

I got to test at the port with the head examiner in the state, in a wore the hell out truck another crew brought over to me five minutes before my appointment, didn't know where shit was, didn't know the sweet spots on the clutch and transmission, and was glad I didn't stall it out or miss a shift (instant fail).

 

[Jscb1b]

Get a job with swift.

 

[chevy_man]

Yeah. Up here in the north of the state the opportunity for land development and improvement with stuff like a skid steer, backhoe, and excavator makes it worth my time to start a side business when I am home.

The problem is that the feds say if your trailer load grosses over 10K you need a cdl. Well, you know how stupid that is if you have ever hauled equipment of any size. It all goes over 10K.

So unless I want to piggyback a skidsteer into a dump truck to avoid the trailer altogether I kind of have to get a cdl I think.

I miss the old days where if you knew how to drive it you just drove it and if you did it well nobody gave a shit.

Look into your state laws. If you're not crossing state lines, you can sometimes get away with more.

My state says I need a CDL over 26k combined. Actual measured weight.

I can tow a trailer that weighs 15k with my truck that's 10k and I'm still legal.

When I cross state lines it becomes interstate commerce and I can get caught up in the CDL game.

 

[LuckyLuke80]

To the op-not to sound like a jerk and mean that-the whole school thing was designed for people just like you. It’s not to say you don’t know how to drive a truck, but I can tell you from having driven class a rigs for a while now that many companies hire guys that say they did all that and some only to find out they don’t know how to do the job. I believe that you can drive rigs, but a deuce and a half is not the same as a tractor/trailer that grosses 105k. As many others have said, find a good school, do the 4 weeks and get every endorsement you could possibly need. Also, I would suggest looking into financing. Might be able to find a program that will help you out. I would avoid the “not for hire” idea. It’s a bad idea. Also, the slow moving vehicle placard/farm use idea is a terrible idea. Dot catches you hauling commercially like that and you won’t be able to pay the fines that will hit you. The schooling is cheaper than that

 

[Ronws]

Listen to @LuckyLuke80

My brother went CDL school with, I think, Stevens Transport. Got all the ratings he wanted. Doubles. He had to get overload permits for carrying timber down from Nova Scotia.

TLDR, I don't think anyone here is going to have a better route than a program. No secret hacks to get a CDL without out jumping through the required hoops.

But it is better than working for the DNC. They are forced to pretend that Biden is their best candidate. Talk about a job that sucks bad.

 

[Marinevet1]

Learn a foreign language.............you'll fit right in........

 

[MK20]

To the op-not to sound like a jerk and mean that-the whole school thing was designed for people just like you. It’s not to say you don’t know how to drive a truck, but I can tell you from having driven class a rigs for a while now that many companies hire guys that say they did all that and some only to find out they don’t know how to do the job. I believe that you can drive rigs, but a deuce and a half is not the same as a tractor/trailer that grosses 105k. As many others have said, find a good school, do the 4 weeks and get every endorsement you could possibly need. Also, I would suggest looking into financing. Might be able to find a program that will help you out. I would avoid the “not for hire” idea. It’s a bad idea. Also, the slow moving vehicle placard/farm use idea is a terrible idea. Dot catches you hauling commercially like that and you won’t be able to pay the fines that will hit you. The schooling is cheaper than that

And the feds mandating around 4K in schooling to be able to drive my own equipment down the road is as stupid as requiring a safety class to be able to buy a gun.

I have driven vehicles with non synchromesh, manual transmissions, trailers, and air brakes that were grossing up around 100K. I didn't have a scale available, so it was hard to know the exact number.

I get that if I am going to be driving every day for Old Dominion or something OTR I really need to be well versed in maneuvering my rig through a city and such.

But I'm not. All I need to do is throw a backhoe behind a dump truck and haul it around a rural farming community and occasionally on wide open freeways to the next town over.

So why can't I take a test and prove competency? Why did the feds give driving schools a monopoly to print money instead?

Is the interest in credentialing and raising the barrier to entry, or is the interest in competence?

And yeah, I could just write a check for the 4K, but it sure chaps my ass that my government isn't content with making me poorer through income taxation, property taxation, and inflation taxation, but now because I want to be more productive I get penalized again on top of it and have to write some random company a 4K check to teach me what I already know.

 

[LuckyLuke80]

Hey, you asked and we answered. I get how you feel about paying the $4k, but at this point it’s unavoidable. I agree with how you feel. Fortunately we don’t have to take a safety class to buy a firearm, but they do want us to register with them if we intend to carry concealed-as if that will stop a crime. As far as driving goes-yeah it stinks to have to do the schooling. I’m not saying I think they should have done that, but I will say that we were seeing more and more people on the road that could pass the written test and in some cases I think bribe the skills test instructor. We had a local guy that does the skills test. He was a terrible tester. I won’t go into details, but he wouldn’t pass anyone on their first attempt at the skills test. His reputation got around and guys were going 65 miles away to a different tester that was much more lax about it all. My point is that there was a standard, but no way to know if it was actually being held. Yes it does stink that big brother thinks he has to control everything, but we’ve let them get away with it for too long now.

 

[34vld]

I just took my CDL test myself. I did need a truck and current CDL driver to get it to the testing station. The truck must be unloaded completely. Remember, if you want endorsements like air brakes or the like, the truck you test on has to have that item. Be sure to wear gloves and dirty old clothes or a jump suit because you will get dirty doing the pre inspection. You have to physically test each item you describe and what you are looking for. (ie Pull and push on the shocks looking for play and any leaks or problems and do this for each item listed in the book.) If you just point to it and say what you are trying to do/see, you will fail. I had to only test half of the truck not both sides so it sped things up a bit.

I'm all in on government oversight on the trucking industry. Too many drivers falling asleep and killing tour bus passengers, truck drivers crossing over into oncoming traffic. Medical physicals catch unknown medical conditions causing issues too. Lots of people that can barely speak English, driving too many hours becomes a very scary situation. People not knowing how to properly tie down loads. Just this week in front of my house a flatbed trailer of I beams that looked like they were fastened correctly slid forward smashing into the cab and locked the tractor to only drive in a straight line and he kept driving. Embrace the oversight. It is there to protect all of us.

 

[beretta682]

I've had my CDL since 96 and that time we didn't have to go to school but I still had to take the test.I think going to school is bullshit but once again you have to do it so quit your whining and just buck up and do it. If you're so good at it you shouldn't have any problem going to school , fallen asleep and knowing how to do everything.

 

[Plot4654]

I can't help you. The Feds paid for my training when they closed a warm water, southern port in '95 but they had alll kinds of things to train for. They paid for it and was on the clock while training.
We had some of the raggediest tractors you vould imagine. The instructors were of a mentality of I'm sooo great and you trainees know nothing....well no jock, Sherlock.
It was a real joke. They couldn't wait for you to make a mistake so they could ride you.

Then the examiners were ladies of dubious mental capacities. Affirmative action at its worst. What an experience.
So, just a useless trip for you down my memory lane. I wish l knew someone that could shed some light on your question.

 

[Rthur]

Don't believe the truckers going the other way, on highways, that the chick in the convertible is showing her titties...

R

 

[Redmanss]

I just took my CDL test myself. I did need a truck and current CDL driver to get it to the testing station. The truck must be unloaded completely. Remember, if you want endorsements like air brakes or the like, the truck you test on has to have that item. Be sure to wear gloves and dirty old clothes or a jump suit because you will get dirty doing the pre inspection. You have to physically test each item you describe and what you are looking for. (ie Pull and push on the shocks looking for play and any leaks or problems and do this for each item listed in the book.) If you just point to it and say what you are trying to do/see, you will fail. I had to only test half of the truck not both sides so it sped things up a bit.

I'm all in on government oversight on the trucking industry. Too many drivers falling asleep and killing tour bus passengers, truck drivers crossing over into oncoming traffic. Medical physicals catch unknown medical conditions causing issues too. Lots of people that can barely speak English, driving too many hours becomes a very scary situation. People not knowing how to properly tie down loads. Just this week in front of my house a flatbed trailer of I beams that looked like they were fastened correctly slid forward smashing into the cab and locked the tractor to only drive in a straight line and he kept driving. Embrace the oversight. It is there to protect all of us.

“Embrace the oversight.”

El-oh-fucking-el

Should we embrace the oversight when they mandate interlock devices on all vehicles, because drunks kill orders of magnitude more than truckers?

The schooling mandate went through for one reason and one reason only, because that industry has awesome lobbyists, and that’s a fact. It had zero fuck all to do with safety. There was zero wrong with learners, 30 day wait, then skills test system.

Your instructors did an awesome job at filling your head full of bullshit.

 

[Jsp556]

If you have to, de-rate your truck to keep it tagged under 26k you’re good with a 5 ton trailer holding just a class C. Hit that 10,001lb on your trailer and you need a class A.

You’re probably better off just going to a school for a few weeks. Don’t be a cunt and waste a company’s time and resources investing in you just to quit. If you do go that route, read any onboarding documents carefully. Some companies will sneak in an agreement to pay up to $5k if you don’t work out a term after getting a cdl through them. Several in my line of work do it.

 

[LuckyLuke80]

I just took my CDL test myself. I did need a truck and current CDL driver to get it to the testing station. The truck must be unloaded completely. Remember, if you want endorsements like air brakes or the like, the truck you test on has to have that item. Be sure to wear gloves and dirty old clothes or a jump suit because you will get dirty doing the pre inspection. You have to physically test each item you describe and what you are looking for. (ie Pull and push on the shocks looking for play and any leaks or problems and do this for each item listed in the book.) If you just point to it and say what you are trying to do/see, you will fail. I had to only test half of the truck not both sides so it sped things up a bit.

I'm all in on government oversight on the trucking industry. Too many drivers falling asleep and killing tour bus passengers, truck drivers crossing over into oncoming traffic. Medical physicals catch unknown medical conditions causing issues too. Lots of people that can barely speak English, driving too many hours becomes a very scary situation. People not knowing how to properly tie down loads. Just this week in front of my house a flatbed trailer of I beams that looked like they were fastened correctly slid forward smashing into the cab and locked the tractor to only drive in a straight line and he kept driving. Embrace the oversight. It is there to protect all of us.

So that’s different than when I took it, but you’re making my point. With the old system there was not a solid standard. Sure there was the test, but instructors have lots of leeway. My testing instructor in 2007 or 08 (can’t remember exactly when) made me pay $50 for the skills test. For the pre-trip I had to point to and name each part I was inspecting and what was looking for. Didn’t have to touch anything or get under the truck in any way. When I was finished he gave me a minute to think about it all to make sure I didn’t miss any parts. When done I had to sound the horn to indicate that I was finished. Also, he didn’t give a care if I could shift the truck. He said that was my problem not his. He just wanted to see that I could drive it in traffic and on the highway etc. Standardized testing isn’t a problem.

 

[LuckyLuke80]

If you have to, de-rate your truck to keep it tagged under 26k you’re good with a 5 ton trailer holding just a class C. Hit that 10,001lb on your trailer and you need a class A.

You’re probably better off just going to a school for a few weeks. Don’t be a cunt and waste a company’s time and resources investing in you just to quit. If you do go that route, read any onboarding documents carefully. Some companies will sneak in an agreement to pay up to $5k if you don’t work out a term after getting a cdl through them. Several in my line of work do it.

That’s good advice. I’ve heard of companies requiring 5 years or whatever they want to recoup the money invested. It would be cheap to hire on just to get the license paid for and quit. Also, it would stink to hire on to a lousy company and be stuck with them for x number of years

 

[greg1147]

Pre-trip gets more than a few.

Pre trip everything from slack adjusters to actual air brake test procedure, driving and backing into a dock simulated is a piece of cake.
I drove a truck crane and had fucking troopers and inspectors looking but worth it, the $$ was good.

 

[dhuf]

I've had a class A with doubles triples and tankers since whenever it became mandatory to have a CDL, late 80s early 90s whichever.
We bitched about it then but went ahead and did it.
You can complain about it all you want or pony up and get it. It's that simple. Yeah it's bullshit but they ain't gonna unwind it. What you should have done was got it a year or so ago when everyone else did to beat the new rules.
We helped of few of the guys at work get through it about over a year ago to beat the cost. It was no secret it was coming.

As far as that exempt "not for hire" someone was talking about putting that shit on your door is the quickest way to get noticed and checked out I know of.

Good luck however you go about it.

 

[daylate]

Get a job with swift.

. Better plan on a extra hour to get there….The name does not fit the truck or company

 

[greg1147]

. Better plan on a extra hour to get there….The name does not fit the truck or company

Or JB Hunt or England

 

[eagle0199]

Although I don't NEED a CDL, I just wish there was some quick way to translate my military experience into a CDL.

One of my Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) was 88M, a driver. Routinely drove tractors and 40 ft trailers, was even licensed and drove a Super HET which is a low-bed Heavy Equipment Transporter, 48 wheels on the ground, overwidth, overlength, and overweight EMPTY, always a permit load with an escort front and rear even when empty, and when a tank was loaded it got REALLY heavy. I seem to recall being licensed on 25-30 different pieces of equipment, enough so that my military drivers' license had to have a continuation page.

 

[502Chevelle]

Swing Wide It's a Freaking Turn

 

[Ronws]

Although I don't NEED a CDL, I just wish there was some quick way to translate my military experience into a CDL.

One of my Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) was 88M, a driver. Routinely drove tractors and 40 ft trailers, was even licensed and drove a Super HET which is a low-bed Heavy Equipment Transporter, 48 wheels on the ground, overwidth, overlength, and overweight EMPTY, always a permit load with an escort front and rear even when empty, and when a tank was loaded it got REALLY heavy. I seem to recall being licensed on 25-30 different pieces of equipment, enough so that my military drivers' license had to have a continuation page.

And that has been the lot for many service members who operated big and heavy machinery and go back to civilian life with not much ability to get a job doing something similar. Or, struggling just to get the job driving a forklift in a warehouse.

My friend's experience was remote ordnance. He would plant charges in VC tunnels and wait for enemy soldiers to return to their tunnels.

Toggle the switch and a bunch of kabooms.

He got back to the States, discharged at the Port of Los Angeles and went to the employment commission to get a job.

"What kind of experience do you have?"

"Four and a half years of killing gooks."

He got a referral ticket to Yellow Cab.

I still snicker at that story.

He did work for a trucking company for a while. I think he drove some but did not have a CDL. Also, it might have been one of the lighter trucks.

 

[LuckyLuke80]

I've had a class A with doubles triples and tankers since whenever it became mandatory to have a CDL, late 80s early 90s whichever.
We bitched about it then but went ahead and did it.
You can complain about it all you want or pony up and get it. It's that simple. Yeah it's bullshit but they ain't gonna unwind it. What you should have done was got it a year or so ago when everyone else did to beat the new rules.
We helped of few of the guys at work get through it about over a year ago to beat the cost. It was no secret it was coming.

As far as that exempt "not for hire" someone was talking about putting that shit on your door is the quickest way to get noticed and checked out I know of.

Good luck however you go about it.

True. They did announce that it was coming and there was a lot of time. I know of people that started pushing to get theirs when it was announced. I can attest to the “not for hire” idea being bad. Was doing a volunteer cross country rv move for a friend. We were using a sleeper cab truck and swapping out drivers (my two brothers and I) and we stopped in a port and were talking to the dot lady. We asked her about it and she said that would have been the quickest way to get noticed. She said that is for rigs that are leased to a driver and are under contract therefore they are “not for hire” because they are already hired out.