Cdl

Took neighbor to get his cdl today. His permit is about to expire and with the new rules going in next year, he would have to go to a school. Been working with him for about 3 weeks. A few smashed 5 gallon buckets in the practice. He did great. Got 1 point and allowed 12. Glad I dont have to take it again just to go to the elevator. He is a rr engineer. Dont know why he wants a cdl.

He did a lot better than the last guy I took for his test. Since I did the training where I work, I asked him if he wanted to go over anything before the test and he said no. First try he failed the in cab checks of the pre-trip inspection, he said he watched every youtube video he could find on it and don't know how he failed. I worked with him and he passed the pre-trip on the second try, but failed straight line backing, third time he failed offset backing. I later found out he had NEVER pulled a trailer of any type...ever! I offered many times to work with him on it and he declined. Needless to say he didn't get his. Reminds me what an old trucker told me a long time ago...if you can't push a trailer backwards you got no business dragging it forward.

There is no way I could pass a truck test now.It's kind of funny because I have gone with a half a dozen guys to get theirs over the last 15 years or so.When I got mine I was working with guys that had the attitude of,sure you can back up,just try not to run over too much.Or,if you feel a bump,stop,don't try to push it out of the way.My forward driving lesson was,get the front through,the rest will follow.The licensing officers attitude back then was,you ain't gonna learn nothin until you get out in the real world and go to work.That was in 1976.

What new changes have they made. I guess I missed the memo. I've had mine since I grandfathered in from the old Chauffeurs license. At one time I had all but bus and taxi cab on mine then they changed the hazmat on them to a whole lot of nonsense to me if I already had it so dropped on the next renewal. Still have tanker and doubles.

My understanding starting feb 2023, you have to go to a school or where you work has to be certified instructor. I couldnt teach anyone anymore.

That is correct. Starting in Feb. you have to attend a certified school. Prepping guys at the fire dept. has fallen on me. fortunately it is for "B" only.

You must be in Illinois as well as me, that's the way I understand it too

All Dad ever drove was a straight truck, but he did say if you cant backup what you are driving you shouldn't be driving. And they need to make the RVer's and camper pullers take a test also.

I think they should teach some in depth driving safety around larger trucks and farm equipment for ANY drivers license. So maybe they would have an idea what the operators can and can't see from the cab. Just my opinion

Yes Illinois. Is this an il or federal rule?

I'm glad I have had what back in the 70s was now a CDL and today have a class A CDL and all I cannot drive is school bus and hazmat. I drive part time for a place now that employs people that have mental and physical problems. Been driving with what was once what is now a CDL since I was 16. I also at one time had a Military license and drove in many places over seas like Scotland

I'm not sure. My work is trying to convince me to become a certified trainer, I really don't think I want that. But, I don't mind to helping someone though

>My understanding starting feb 2023, you have to go to a school<

I think your dates are off a little bit.
It is my understanding that you had to have your learners permit before Feb 2022 and get your CDL before the learners permit expires. So if you have nothing today the window has closed already.
These rules also apply if you have a CDL and you are trying to get a S P or H endorsement for the first time.
This is hurting us at work (we require a H endorsement) as well as schools trying to hire new bus drivers.
People that have had a CDL for years and never thought they would ever need a S or H endorsement now find themselves having to go back to a certified school for more training.

Sad part is it took till I was 64 years old for the X T license in my pocket to become worth anything more than just another guy looking for a job.

Looking at this from Australia, it seems that licensing is just as complicated in the US as here. We have licences issued by each State for car drivers. All heavy vehicle licences are National, but still issued separately by each State. Have to hold a valid Driver Accreditation Certificate to drive any bus for hire or gain and hold a valid Working With Children Check to drive any route service or school bus. Medical check for bus drivers in Victoria every three years up to age 65, then every twelve months. Licence renewal every ten years. Licence tests are not cheap. Heavy Rigid Non-Syncromesh, which is three or more axles and a gross mass 8 tons and above costs about $2,400. Multi-Combination, which is a prime mover attached to two or more semi trailers, costs about $3,300. Maximum B-Double length is 85 feet. Maximum B triple length is 108 feet. Both are restricted to certain roads. Road trains can be longer, but are mostly seen in central Australia. Is there a multi combination license category in the US?



Road Train Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aSwxI5iAPI

SadFarmall

This post was edited by SadFarmall on 12/12/2022 at 03:36 pm.

Is there a multi combination license category in the US?

Here in the states we can pull two 28 foot trailers or one 53 foot trailer on every federal highway.
Select states out west allow you to pull three 28 foot trailers.

Getting a CDL for the first time has become a pain but once you take the test and get the first one all you need is a valid
medical card and show up to take your picture and pay the fee to renew it.
My CDL cost me about $75 and most are good for 6 years.
The T endorsement that allows you to pull doubles and triples is a one time 20 question test and an extra $5 when you
renew.

Hazmat is the only exception to the rule.
It requires a federal background check every 5 years and taking the written test every time you renew.

Some toll turnpikes allow you to pull two 48 or 53 trailers.
But you can not get off the turnpike with them.
All have yards on turnpike property that you can hook and unhook the trailers.

Similar here - just road trains are longer and the bigger ones don't travel through most areas of the Eastern States.

It is a headache getting the licence the first time - endless paperwork as well as the driving test. Generally to get a multi combination licence you go through three tests.

After holding a car licence for at least 24 months you can apply for a light rigid, medium rigid or heavy rigid licence
To get heavy combination or multi combination, you have to have held a medium or heavy rigid licence for at least twelve months. Most people go from medium or heavy rigid to heavy combination and then onto multi combination.
The tests are all recorded (audio and video) by multiple cameras and can be viewed at any time by VicRoads - the State licensing authority. Once you hold an MC licence, you keep the endorsement. Licence renewal is every three or ten years. Cost is $85.50 for three years or $292.80 for ten years.
SadFarmall