Did you go to school, do it on your own, or were you grandfathered under the law?

I studied on my own to pass the written exam. I was fortunate that a relative’s friend let me borrow a truck to take the driving portion.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 400m,

I got my CDL class B by studying the book for one night and then going the next day to take the written test. I passed with air brake and hazmat endorsements. I rented a truck to take the driving test. I had the CDL for about 30+ years but dropped it for a class C when I retired.

Community College outside our neighborhood was giving free tuition during covid. We all got CDL A and Hazmat during the six-week program. I went on and got doubles-triples and tanker endorsement on my own. Trained and tested on 10-speed manual Macks, but haven't touched a manual transmission since graduation.

Studied/passed the written test independently, then rented a class A truck/trailer combo for my test. Formerly a Class A hazmat/tanker driver (with tandems/triples endorsements). Since I no longer drive professionally (was a cryo tank driver), I dropped my hazmat, but keep the rest current.

Grandfather in. Soon enough I plan to grandfather out!

I got the driving trading at work under an instructor. Then went to DMV for written test. Be aware that a CDL must be accompanied by a valid medical card. Generally you have to renew every 2 years. Sometimes sooner if you have certain medical conditions. Also, a CDL must be participating in a random drug screening program. Without the medical and drug screening, the license is invalid. Even if the DMV has not revoked it.

The Navy sent me to Branford-Union Vo-Tech's CDL program which was, at that time, the only 3rd party testing service in FL.

Got my class A and every endorsement. I never used it, as the military was exempt from needing a civilian DL, but I kept it current up to about 7 years ago.

Grandfathered. My training was an older guy got in the truck with me and said drive around the plant, okay, back into dock two. I had to pull up and correct once. He said you're good to go! I trained myself.
They must give out CDL's like candy. I saw our new drivers and drivers in truck stops that couldn't back up a trailer to save their life!
I would not recommend driving as a career to anyone. It's not like it used to be.

Studied up, took the written test. The place I was working had a truck I was able to use.

Range offered a course, took a short oral quiz, state ran a criminal history then paid $25 and got the license that I have renewed several times. Got another from state across the river. Those 2 states cover 95% of my time. Had business in Florida so pick one up there as well. There should be one Federal permit that governs all 50 states. Use the constitutions "supremacy clause" to give citizens the right to protect themselves.

Dad was OTR O/O most of his life. Even when he had a “town job” and we were farming, he usually had a couple lease trucks around.
I turned 21, took the written and used his 83 Superliner Mack and 48’ spread axle float for the driving.
Back then all the endorsements were just test modules.

I waited until after all of the new rules were imposed.

Took a 2 day course that required you to have existing driving experience along with your learners permit (which requires passing all of the written tests). Day 1 and day 2 morning they went over the pre-trip inspections and skills tests. Day 2 at lunch took driving test.

I was grandfathered in about 45 yrs ago. I’ve been in the heavy construction business for that long so it was pretty much a given at the time that if you wanted to work there, you better be able to drive a semi or dump truck etc so I learned on the job and been at it since. I’ve pretty much been all over the eastern half of the US and there’s no way in hell I’d pick it for a career today. The quality of drivers both in semis and cars is pathetic, plus the rules and regulations are crazy.

There is a bus company in Mesa,AZ
That will pay you while trying to drive their
busses.

I can't remember weather it was
six or five weeks .

You sign a contract to work for them until
you pay for the training.

You get three chances to pass the CDL test.
Then it's over

Passed the learners without studying much.

Watched YouTube for two weeks and borrowed a truck with a stick and lowboy trailer.

Passed the first time with a class A with no restrictions.

Thought it would be harder, but it did set me back $150.

I did training while active duty.

I was grandfathered in when they established the CDL system. Had had the equivalent here in Texas before getting the CDL.

We had all our own trucks and trailers so we provided a signed affidavit from the business which eliminated the need for all the driving parts. Got everything you could get at the time.

A good friend of ours owned a large trucking business so he had lots of drivers to get certified and had like 1000 possible test questions to study with.

Aced everything first time. What was funny was that in the small west Texas town of Hamlin the DL office was only one day a week and the officer that was there for my testing was the same man that I had when I was 15 getting my 100cc motorcycle license. He was a strict hardass known for hating motorcycles and flunking you on the first try but I had no issues with him. When I did my CDL testing at 30 years old he was weeks away from retiring.

I have kept my CDL all these years even though i really haven’t needed it but ya never know. When I left the family pipeline/construction business it was always just an extra job skill for employment operating heavy equipment and doing heavy equipment repair.

About 10-15 years ago they implemented the DOT physical requirement even though I wasn’t driving for anyone. You had take and pass a dot physical every two years or every year since i have high bp. Yearly testing is a big pain. You get it done the in no time its time to start the process over again. About 5-6 years ago i figured out i could “park” my CDL which meant i could un park it if needed by just getting the physical but can still drive for myself if needed.

Was going to finally let it go last year when I renewed and the lady said why. So i re upped again. It cost more for the CDL and if you get any kind of ticket that most people take defensive driving or probation to get out of a ticket you cannot do with a CDL. In a way it slows me down to avoid getting tickets.