Training for your CDL License

Due to the significant shortage of drivers, companies are more than willing to increase salaries and offer extra pay for longevity and safety records. A job in the trucking industry can provide you with both financial security and the ability to travel on a regular basis. This type of consistency and flexibility allows you to know beforehand what you will do each day and exactly where you will be working.

With the right license, truck driving can turn into quite a lucrative, intrepid career. However, more important than your on paper certification is the experience and knowledge you gather during your training.

CDL training is offered by multiple truck driving schools from across the country, as well as by community colleges and specialized companies. The instruction program you choose is crucial in both establishing a solid information basis for trucking and finding an organization that you can associate with and land a job at in the long run. Moreover, even though certain employers train applicants from within the company, directly affiliating with a specific organization might not be beneficial long term. This is because if you only obtain a class B or class C license, you will have very few endorsements available and too many restrictions to deal with.

This is why it’s important to enroll in a program that can teach you and efficiently prepare you for unexpected situations, as well as offer you a reliable license and a wide array of opportunities when it comes to commercial vehicles. Proper CDL training will not only teach you how to handle large vehicles, but also provide you with the broadest training options and instruct you when it comes to cost-efficient driving and safety techniques.

A competent CDL training program will cover road security rules and regulations, the basics of operating a commercial vehicle and inspection procedures. The courses should also teach you about the nitty-gritty of air brake systems (including pressure gauges and dual air brakes). In addition, you should also be informed about how to manage and inspect combination vehicles. We, at RTDS, provide over 10 years’ worth of expertise and a full-range of instruction programs, tailored according to the students’ needs and flexible schedules.

The courses cover theoretical information and will precede your field training. You will be provided with study materials and comprehensive learning tools, including resourceful lectures and introductory demonstrations. Moreover, our CDL training program ensures that you get the chance to practice procedures firsthand before taking your final examinations. Our qualified instructor will guide you through safe operating procedures, emergency conduct, skid control and loading maneuvers, as well as supervise your progress. When you’re ready, the instructor will join you in city driving areas and allow you to practice driving, visual search, safety techniques and shifting in traffic.

So what are the requirements for enrolling in a proper CDL training program? They vary from company to company, but generally involve owning a valid driver’s license, being over 21 years old and submitting a DMV driving record. The cost of the courses will also vary greatly from school to school, which is why you need to carefully consider how much would be worth paying for a career that can generate around $40,000 per year.

RTDS offers several options when it comes to CDL training – a Full Program (which involves 160 hours of comprehensive, in-depth courses, as well as extensive range and road training), a 3-Week Program (designed for candidates with basic driving experience, 120 hours), a 2-Week Program (quick and efficient, involves 1 week of courses and 1 week of range and road training) and an Express Program (suited for experienced drivers who are looking for a fast, reliable certification, includes 3 days of hands-on practice). If any of these CDL training programs appeal to you or fulfill your current professional requirements, then take a closer look and apply!

Testing for the CDL

Are you interested in starting a career in the truck driving industry? Do you know the basics of handling commercial vehicles, but you’d like to enroll in a specialized instruction program to improve? Are you comfortable being on the road for several hours every day? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to learn about how you can receive training and a license for your practice. Keep on reading for a quick guide on what to expect from your future CDL test and how to best prepare for your written exam.

CDL stands for Commercial Driver’s License and is a clear-cut course designed to teach students how to securely maneuver a truck and other supplying vehicles. Aside from theoretical knowledge, the instruction program also involves practical tasks and activities conceived for developing hands-on experience with driving on public roads. In addition, students are educated about safety procedures, efficient loading and managing different types of materials. After your course has finished, you will be tested by your instructor both via a written examination and a practical “road test”. Before beginning your field training, you will be required to pass a written evaluation known as the CDL test.

Whether operating in intrastate, interstate or foreign commerce, all commercial truck drivers require a CDL. But before getting into the nuts and bolts of truck driving, you have to prove that you have the necessary information for this practice and pass a CDL assessment. The written exam generally features a series of tests covering general knowledge, combination vehicles and air brake. These quizzes are meant to assess if you have a basic grasp of elementary knowledge concerning road rules and regulations, safe management of commercial vehicles, as well as standard truck driving procedures and cargo weight.

Moreover, the tests are also designed to determine how much you know about functional topics like coupling and uncoupling and more specialized techniques such as trailer jackknife, safe backing and brake systems. Additionally, the air brake test is conceived to evaluate your knowledge of the air brake system and pressure gauges, as well as your ability to inspect and handle air brakes.

So how do you prepare for a CDL permit test? The first step is to find learning material or an online platform which can supply you with theoretical information. You can also try looking for your state’s CDL manual, which should cover topics including shifting gears, vehicle inspection, rail road crossing, driving at night and in different weather conditions, accident procedures, braking, managing space with other vehicles, controlling speed, skid recovery and driving emergencies. You can find a printed manual if you visit your local Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) or download an online copy from their website.

However, the manual alone won’t be resourceful enough to help with some of the tricky questions in the permit exam. This is why we recommend checking out some practice tests meant to prepare you for the evaluation and provide you with possible subjects. On our platform at RTDS you can find several learning tools, including a useful Hand Book with basic information and a Questions and Answers section covering the 3 types of knowledge tests.

Before you being studying, make sure you’re actually eligible for obtaining a CDL. In most states, the requirements involve owning a valid driver’s license and being over 18 (over 21 if you want to drive interstate). If you’ve got that covered, then all you have to do is find a manual and additional study resources and start learning and taking practice tests. After passing the written evaluation, you will be assigned for a CDL exam in order to receive your license.

Benefits of a CDL License

It’s a myth that higher education degrees automatically earn you a well-off, secure job in the modern world. Oftentimes, students graduate without any plans or ambitions or any idea on what they want to do for a career. And the documentation they receive from college or university no longer guarantees a big paycheck or even a stable job.

While studying is an important part of becoming educated in a certain field, there are many soft skills that cannot be learnt from a textbook. In response to the crisis of ill-preparation that we face today, more non-conventional approaches have stemmed in every industry, providing eager learners with a platform to discover and acquire practical skills in their profession. When it comes to truck driving, CDL schools can offer both education and certification, making landing a good job much more accessible than in other domains.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the trucking industry, then you first need to obtain a license for practice, as well as learn your trade and practice extensively. In this respect, you have a wide range of CDL schools to choose from, that can offer both specialized training and a commercial driver’s license. Given that the potential income for truck driving is between $38,000 and $43,000 per year for most positions on the road, it’s important to invest in a proper instruction program, which can teach you more than the basics of commercial driving. Whether they’re self-employed, hired from within a particular company or they switch from employer to employer, truck drivers require training and certification from an authentic, reliable CDL school.

So why should you join a trucking instruction program? Aside from being passionate about travel and a career that allows you a flexible itinerary, there is a considerable shortage of truck drivers in the United States. According to the latest report from the American Trucking Association (ATA), there is a shortage of 30,000 to 35,000 drivers in the US. This is great news if you’re interested in becoming a truck driver yourself, as you will receive more job opportunities and higher pay. That being said, you’re still required to present a valid license and have proper training from a CDL school in order to be hired.

The training programs available cover basic driving and safety information when it comes to large commercial vehicles, as well as hands-on instruction and loading or inspecting procedures. All the learning and practice takes place between 3 to 12 weeks, depending on the school you chose. There are also quick programs for certification, designed for more experienced drivers. Our CDL school at RTDS provides programs that can issue a license in any period of time – ranging from a few days to a full month, depending on the scope and consistency of the training.

When it comes to requirements for joining a CDL school, you must be at least 18 years old if you want to drive intrastate and over 21 in order to drive nationally. Moreover, you need a valid driver’s license, a DMV driving record and in some cases a high school diploma or a GED certificate. In addition, certain companies will require you to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination and a drug screening, as well as provide proof that you have a clean driving record. If you fulfill these requirements, then choose your desired training program and send an application!