Get a CDL License in Connecticut
Do you love driving and consider getting a job involving transporting goods or providing a service to the public (such as driving a Bus)? You will want to consider obtaining a CDL, which stands for "commercial driver license". This guide is for Connecticut residents looking to figure out where to start. A CDL is required if you want to drive a vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds, the vehicle you want to tow weighs more than 10,000 pounds, or you want to transport more than 15 passengers (the number includes the driver) or hazardous materials, or if you want to drive a school bus as in most districts, they'll want a CDL licensee to drive their buses. For example, let's say you want to work in a union company. Would you rather shove sand and load it on a dump truck while sweating under the sun or just drive the truck, wait for the diggers to finish, and drive off? If you have chosen the latter, this article serves as a guide for Connecticut residents to getting their CDL. If you have any questions, reach out to your local DMV office.
Steps
- Determine if you want a CDL. The process of obtaining CDL can take a lot of time practicing, or even money (by going to driving school). Driving a car is entirely different than driving a heavier vehicle thus requiring more maturity and responsibility to avoid harm to others, and most importantly, yourself. Look up if a CDL is required for you, or if you want to be a truck driver.
- Have a Class D driver license. In the State of Connecticut, a Class D driver license (which is reserved for automobiles and small trucks weighing less than 26,000 lbs.) is a prerequisite for a CDL. Before you drive a bus or a truck, it is necessary you already learned the basics of the road rules and operation of a motor vehicle before you move on to the advanced.
- Have a good driving record and no convictions involving the use of a motor vehicle. If you have been arrested and convicted in the past for any crime (misdemeanor or felony) involving the use of a motor vehicle, by federal law, is an automatic disqualification (you are ineligible for a CDL) as you may pose a threat to the general welfare. If your driver's license has been suspended or revoked, this will also make obtaining a CDL a lot harder for you than if you were to never have problems with the law.
- Meet age requirements. In Connecticut, the minimum age to apply for a CDL is 18. However, if you're under 21, you will only be allowed to drive in Connecticut (intrastate commerce), plus you cannot transport hazardous materials (flammable chemicals) or drive a school bus. When you turn 21, these restrictions will be lifted.
- Be Healthy. You must pass a DOT-physical exam by a physician authorized by the DOT to administer the test. Having certain diseases and mental illnesses may bar you from obtaining a CDL, or even incur you some restrictions on your license.
- Determine which CDL Class you'll need. There are three various types of CDL licenses: Class A, B, and C:
- Class A allows you to drive combination vehicles such as a Tractor-Trailer. The precise definition is any combination of vehicles weighing more than 26,000 lbs. and tow a vehicle/unit(s) weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Class A includes all vehicles under Class B and C depending on the endorsements you have.
- Class B allows you to drive single heavy vehicles such as a Truck or a Bus weighing more than 26,000 lbs. but tow a vehicle/unit weighing no more than 10,000 pounds. Class B includes all vehicles under Class C depending on the endorsements you have.
- Class C allows you to drive any single vehicle weighing 26,000 lbs. or less to transport hazardous materials (flammable chemicals) requiring placards, more than 15 passengers including yourself, and to operate a school bus.
- Study the CDL Manual. The manual is provided here. You must study for your general knowledge test which consists of 50-multiple questions where you'll be given three possible choices (With one being the correct answer and the other two wrong). To pass, you'll need to answer 80% of the questions correctly (This means you'll need 40 out of 50 questions right). Endorsement tests are fortunately shorter. If you choose not to study or study sufficiently, it'll be very hard to pass as the questions are not simple.
- If you want a Class A CDL, you'll need to pass General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicle tests. You should determine if you'll need additional endorsements such as HAZMAT or Double/Triple Trailers (Bear in mind, in Connecticut, you can only pull up to two trailers. Pulling three trailers is illegal as it is extremely dangerous).
- If you want a Class B or Class C CDL, you'll only need the General Knowledge exam and any endorsements you will need. However, it is strongly recommended you also take and pass the Air Brakes test. It is practically impossible to be hired for a CDL job with an Air Brake restriction because most commercial vehicles are equipped with them, but you're not allowed to drive them.
- After passing all exams, practice driving with your commercial learner permit (CLP). With your CLP, you must practice driving a commercial vehicle with someone who has a CDL that matches your class or higher. It is vital you know how to turn, reverse, etc. as you will be tested on them. You will also want to provide special attention to the Pre-Trip Inspection as it is the most failed portion of the test.
- Schedule your road test. The fee is $30 and cannot be refunded so choose a date and time wisely. Don't be late! If you're late, you will most likely be asked to return at another time and you will not be refunded or given top priority for your next test.
- Pass the CDL Skills Test. The CDL Skills Test is the final test, it pass/fail. If you pass, you'll earn your CDL. If you fail, you'll take it again until you pass but pay close attention to where you failed. The test is divided into three portions:
- Pre-Trip Inspection: Where you will show the examiner parts of the vehicle and describe if it's safe for use. The examiner wants to see if you're capable of knowing whether the truck/bus is safe for operation. You will also get inside your truck/bus/CMV and perform an In-Cab Inspection. All of this is to not only to protect the public but to protect you as well. Failing to inspect a vehicle may cause you problems you wish you would've inspected first. This is the most failed portion, so give it a lot of attention to avoid failing.
- Basic Vehicle Control: You will be asked to back up in a straight line, and two maneuvers which will be chosen by your examiner. The examiner will ask you to offset backing in your or the passenger side, parallel park in your or the passenger side, and finally, alley dock. The examiner is free to select what they want to test you on so don't get angry if they select something you didn't want and just do it.
- Road Test: You will be tested by driving with on public roads with other drivers. Just like your road test with a car, you'll be tested on a commercial motor vehicle. Fortunately, the FMSCA forbids your examiner from trying to "trick" you, or do anything that is illegal (Drive past a stop sign without stopping) or too dangerous (parallel parking behind a car).
- After passing your CDL Skills Test, head to DMV and get your CDL! Congratulations, you are now a CDL licensee.
