Any tips on obtaining a class A CDL?

The first thing you will need to do is the pre trip inspection. You will be graded by how many items you miss. Such as if you do not touch every lug nut to make sure they are tight or at least point out that you do not see any rust marks on the rim from the lug nut area you will be marked for missing that.
Do not just check the items by sight. It is better to not check the item at all but point at it and say out loud that I am looking at and checking such and such item than it is to check the item by sight only. The tester can not read your mind. Looking in the wheel well and checking the item by sight does him no good. He does not know what you checked and what you missed. So as you look in the wheel well point at the item you are checking and say "I am checking ..... ...."
You are allowed to use a cheat sheet to help you remember what to check. This is most times accomplished by using the DOT check list book for pre trip inspection. The book in the truck that you are suppose to sign off on in your inspection. Make sure you sign off in the book before you leave for the road test and that the driver before you did not write any problems down. When you are finished your road test you are suppose to sign the book on the next page listing any problems.

Your road test is just that. A road test. Most that fail this test do so from not being able to back up well; or from simple mistakes that do not apply to cars. Like shifting while on a RxR crossing. Another big one is not slowing to a speed where you could safely stop before entering the tracks. Do this once you get your license; and get caught at it; will get you a 60 day suspension on the first offence.

Read the book. Then read it again and again till you know it.

I am the guy that has a f450 and a trailer that I have plates of 32000 lbs with no desire ever being over 26000 lbs. I am never for hire and just haul tractors to shows, plow meets, tractor pulls, etc. I dont think I want or need any endorsements. Thanks for all the tips folks!!

You have to know everything in the book really well.

The better your pre-trip inspection you do the better start you get with the tester.

Know that book well so you can answer any question thrown at you.

Visit a Truck Dealership and ask if you can talk to a guy that is good At Inspecting a truck and trailer for the road. If your not familiar with air systems this could be a big help.

While air brakes is not listed on the license as an endorsement if you did not take the air brake test your license will say so and you will not be allowed to drive class A trucks with air brakes.

While most people associate air brakes and class A licenses; you could have a class A without air brakes.
Now if he goes this route now and then decides later that he wants to get the air brakes added later they may make him take another road test in a truck with air brakes.

In Washington it is listed as "K" for no air brake restriction.

The 'K' restriction can be on a class A, B or C Cdl.

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