Need personal CDL tainer for truck driving?

You're better off just to go to a school. Even if you get a personal CDL instructor, there's still the matter of having a vehicle available to road test in. If you really wanted to go it on your own, the written test part is as simple as getting the CDL handbook from your DMV office (since CDLs are federally regulated, the handbooks are the same in every state, except for the foreWord), studying it, and taking your written tests at the DMV.

For all classes of CDL, you'll need to study the following sections:

• Introduction
• Driving Safely
• Cargo

If needed, you'll also have to study:

• Combination Vehicles (for Class A)
• Hazardous Materials
• Air Brakes
• Passengers
• Tankers

Once you've completed your necessary written tests, you'll get a learner's permit. If you have a Class C licence prior, your new one will say "CPA" (if you're getting a learner's permit for a Class A), "CPB" (for Class B), etc.

You cannot legally operate a commercial vehicle - even in the presence of a licenced CDL driver - without first having obtained the permit for it.

Afterwards, you'll go through your road training (but you'll need to find someone or a company willing to let you train with their vehicle), and you'll take your road test.

You can road test in any combination which merits the class of licence you're applying for. If you're applying for a Class A, you don't necessarily need to road test in a tractor trailer - a 26,000 lb. GVWR truck (such as the Ford F-650/F-750) and a trailer rated at over 10,000 lbs. will suffice - however, there is a catch. If you test for a Class A licence in such a combination, you'll receive an '8' restriction - "No tractor-trailers". If you don't pass the written portion of the air brakes test and road test in a vehicle equipped with air brakes, you receive an 'L' restriction - "No air brakes". If you're under 21, you cannot obtain a Hazmat endorsement, plus you'll receive a '4' restriction - "Intrastate only", which prohibits you from operating a commercial vehicle outside of your home state.

All that aside, your best option will still be just to go to a truck driving school. Several companies offer their own schools, but the cheapest ones are often found via your local community college.

If there's any questions about anything said here, you're free to e-mail me (my email address is posted in my bio page).