How to Get a Commercial Driver's License in California

If you love driving and want to be paid, you may want to look into obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). A CDL allows you to drive large and heavy vehicles (trucks, buses, and tractor-trailers), vehicles with 10 or more passengers (including the driver), or transporting hazardous materials. You can be hired to drive for a beverage company, you may drive a bus with passengers or a school bus with students, a garbage truck, dump truck, become a long-distant hauler, or become every truck driver's dream, an owner-operator! If you live in the State of California, follow this guide to get your CDL.

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Basic Information

  1. 1
    Meet the requirements for a California CDL. You must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of California with one of the following driver's licenses: Basic Class C, Non-Commercial Class B, or Non-Commercial Class A (or a valid driver's license issued in another state). [1]
    • Drivers must be at least 21 years of age to drive interstate or for a HazMat endorsement. [2]
    • New California residents who have a CDL issued in another state must exchange their CDL.
    • You must be legally present in the United States.
    • You must have a basic understanding of the English language.
  2. 2
    Pass a DOT physical. You must have a valid DOT medical certificate to get a CDL. If you do not have one, look for an approved medical examiner near you here . You must tell the medical examiner about issues with your health, including any medications you take. You must complete a physical every two years (some people with certain medical conditions may have to complete it annually), so be sure to keep track to know when it's time to get a new DOT medical card. [3]
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  3. 3
    Determine if you will operate in interstate or intrastate commerce. Federal law requires you to certify as either intending on operating in interstate or intrastate commerce. If you are 18 to 20 years old, you can only certify as being intrastate until you're 21. [4]
    • Interstate commerce allows you to drive in any state including California or transport cargo that originated from another state. No restrictions are involved.
    • Intrastate commerce restricts you to only driving in California State, and a K restriction will be added to your license.
  4. 4
    Determine your class of CDL. A class explains the type of vehicles that you can drive or tow and the type of cargo you may transport. It is essential that you know which class you will apply for. [5]
    • Class A : Allows you to drive combination vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds, providing the towed vehicle is more than 10,000 pounds.
    • Class B : Allows you to drive vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds, or combination vehicles provided the towed vehicle is not more than 10,000 pounds.
    • Class C : Allows you to drive vehicles weighing 26,000 pounds or less that transport hazardous materials or more than 10 passengers (including the driver), or combination vehicles provided the towed vehicle is not more than 10,000 pounds.
  5. 5
    Read the California Commercial Driver's Handbook. You can access the handbook here provided you have Flash. The handbook contains all of the information you need to know to pass your written examinations in DMV.
    • You may also use practice apps, but be aware that the DMV may re-word the questions and answers to prevent those who didn't read the handbook from passing.
  6. 6
    Complete the online application. You must complete a driver's license application form online here . While appointments are not required to take the written exams, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment to be given priority over walk-ins. Click here to see which documents you need to bring (do not forget to bring your DOT medical certificate).
    • You must also bring cash or a form of payment to pay to take the written tests, and if you pass, place an order to get your CLP card mailed to you. You will be a temporary CLP that you can use to practice driving.
  7. 7
    Pass your written tests. Everyone must pass the General Knowledge Test to obtain their commercial learner's permit. If you are looking to get a CDL Class A, you will also need to pass the combination vehicles test.
    • If you want to drive a bus or any vehicle designed to transport at least 16 passengers, you must add a passenger endorsement by passing the passenger written test. If you have a CDL Class B, you should take the Skills Test on a Bus because if you pass, you'll be allowed to drive both trucks and buses.
    • If you want to transport school students (grades K to 12), you will need the passenger endorsement and add a school bus endorsement. In this case, you must pass both the passenger and school bus written tests and take the skills test on a School Bus.
    • If you are applying for a Class A or Class B, you must pass the Air Brakes test to avoid a restriction on your commercial learner's permit. The vast majority of vehicles requiring Class A or Class B have Air Brakes due to their heavy size.
  8. 8
    Complete Entry-Level Driver Training. On 7 February 2022, the federal government changed the standards of obtaining a commercial driver's license. New applicants for a CDL (Class A or Class B) must complete a theory course that involves a prescribed curriculum and behind-the-wheel training by an accredited training provider before they can take the skills test. This also applies to anyone who wants a passenger, school bus, and/or hazmat endorsement.
    • The Theory course can be completed either online or in-person as long as the trainer is approved by the training provider registry. You must pass an assessment at the end of the lecture with at least eighty percent correct.
    • Behind-The-Wheel training must be completed in person. There are no minimum hours required, but you and a trainer will learn how to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle on roads and highways.
    • To find an approved training provider, click here to search for a trainer near you. Upon passing, you can take the Skills Test. The certificate does not expire so don't worry if your permit expires.
    • Before February 7, 2022, getting a CDL was a lot easier. After obtaining your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), you had to wait at least two weeks before taking your skills test. You could train with a friend, employer, or anyone whom you know has a CDL and you were not required to complete a program to be eligible for the Skills Test.
  9. 9
    Prepare for the Pre-Trip Inspection. The Pre-Trip Inspection is the first portion of the Skills Test. You will need to show the examiner what items you are inspecting for any potential defects, including your vehicle's Air Brakes (if applicable). Failure to correctly inspect your vehicle or Air Brakes will result in a failure of the test. Watch the corresponding video below to see what you will be required to inspect:
    • Class A (Tractor-Trailer): Click here .
    • Class A (Pickup Truck and Trailer): Click here
    • Class B (Heavy Truck): Click here .
    • Class B (Large Bus): Click here .
    • Class C (Small Bus), Click here .
  10. 10
    Practice how to reverse a commercial motor vehicle. On the Skills Test, you will be required to do a straight-line backing and two different maneuvers that your examiner will choose. Follow the examiner's instructions. More details can be found in Chapter 12 of the handbook. Except for the straight line backing, you may get out of the vehicle to get a better angle or you may pull forward only two times without penalty. If you need to get out or pull forward more than two times, you will incur points. When you are done, honk to the examiner. The videos below will help you get an idea of what to expect:
    • Watch this video for a straight-line backing demonstration. If you hit a cone, you will fail the test.
    • Watch this video for an offset backing demonstration. You may be asked to back to the left or to the right, but be careful not to hit a cone or you will incur points.
    • Watch this video for a parallel parking demonstration. If you hit a cone or are out of the box, you will incur points. You are asked to do this on the left or right side.
    • Watch this video for an alley dock demonstration. Alley docking is the most difficult maneuver for most people so prepare for this.
  11. 11
    Practice driving. Refer to Chapter 13 of the handbook for more information. On the Skills Test, if you pass the Pre-Trip and Backing maneuvers, your final step is to pass the road test. Your examiner may ask how much your truck or bus weighs, the length, width, or height. Additionally while driving, pay close attention to the signs because chances are the examiner will ask you what the sign that you passed said. If you answer incorrectly, they'll add points against you. Watch the railroad crossing because you will be asked to do this. You will be driving on public roads and on interstate highways. Remember to use your signals, obey the speed limit, and check your mirrors frequently (including when the light turns green).
    • Watch this video for a railroad crossing procedure. Everyone must watch this video because if you do not do it correctly, you will fail the test.
  12. 12
    Pass the Skills Test. The Skills Test can be administered by a California DMV employee or you may take it with an approved third-party tester (who is not affiliated with the DMV or the state). Call the driving school and ask if they are approved by the DMV to give a Skills Test for you. If you take the Skills Test on an automatic vehicle, you will be given a restriction on your CDL indicating you cannot drive manual vehicles. If you take the Skills Test on a vehicle without Air Brakes, you will be given a restriction that you cannot drive vehicles with Air Brakes. If you do not pass the Skills Test, you must try again until you pass or your permit expires. If you try again, you will return to the portion you failed on. This means if you already passed the Pre-Trip Inspection and/or Backing maneuvers, you will not need to do it again unless your permit expires.
    • Click here to learn how to schedule your skills test with the California DMV.
    • If you will take the test with a third-party examiner, you will need to contact them to book a Skills Test. You must have completed Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) as mentioned in Step 2. If you did not complete ELDT, you will not be allowed to take the Skills Test until you complete it.
    • To prepare for the Skills Test, refer to Steps 9, 10, and 11, and refer to Chapters 11, 12, and 13 in the California Commercial Handbook.
  13. 13
    Get Your Commercial Driver's License (CDL). If you passed the road test, you must wait until tomorrow to pick up your CDL. You must pay a fee for the physical card to be mailed to you.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/
      2. ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/#:~:text=In%20California%2C%20you%20may%20be,you're%2021%20or%20older .
      3. ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv-virtual-office/medical-examination-report/
      4. ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/commercial-driver-handbook/section-1-introduction/
      5. ↑ https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/commercial-driver-license-classes-certifications/

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