Commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) are specific for certain types of vehicles, generally those that involve heavy loads or transportation of people, they are also associated with certain jobs . Therefore, the laws, privileges, requirements and penalties that apply to this type of license are very different from those related to a standard driver’s license .
If you are considered eligible, then you can follow a series of steps to request this document. Depending on the laws of each state, these procedures may include other activities, but in California the steps are as follows :
1. Take an exam to apply for a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) . For this you must have at hand your current standard driver’s license, your record (record) as a driver in the last 10 years, an exam where a forensic doctor qualifies you as physically fit to operate commercial vehicles ( for this there is a separate procedure ). You must also pass a written exam (knowledge test with a minimum of 30 questions in which you must obtain at least 80% of the maximum grade). Finally, you must pay an assigned rate.
2. Once you have obtained the learner’s permit, you must keep it for a minimum of 14 days .
3. Take a skills test to obtain your business license (CDL). This exam has three parts: Vehicle Inspection, Basic Controls Exam, and Road Test. For this you must have a vehicle of the same category as the one you will drive once you have the license. You should also schedule an appointment with the state DMV, since these tests are not performed without an appointment.
In the United States, the body that regulates everything related to business licenses is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which means that in order to be considered eligible you must comply with certain federal rules that this institution imposes, mainly:
1. Be 21 years to drive across state lines and operate a hazardous materials vehicle.
2. Not possessing criminal offenses that would disqualify you for this type of privilege.
To be granted a commercial license, you must practically show that your driving skills are exceptional and that you are fully prepared to control larger vehicles and even drive with a load of hazardous materials. Although there is no such hierarchy, this type of license gives its holders a certain prestige because it certifies them as a highly experienced driver whose good performance is proven by at least a decade of impeccable records.
If you get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) you can Add endorsements that prove that you are qualified for certain activities related to commercial vehicles . Transportation of hazardous materials is one of them, but you can also get an endorsement to drive passenger cars, school vehicles or tanker trucks.
If you are a military veteran or if you work in agriculture, you are an emergency doctor, firefighter or you are employed to remove snow and ice from the streets you could be exempted from taking the skills test and you would only have to enter the rest of the requirements.
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