First time CDL was introduced and required to have in the United States was in April 1st, 1992, and it was not a joke.
American Trucking Associations (ATA) suggests there is a number of 3.6 million professional truck drivers in the United States. In 2022. there was a shortage of 78,000 truck drivers and that number keep raising. Some estimations say that number could go double by 2031.
It’s needles to say there is a big future in CDL jobs. According to ZipRecruiter, average salaries for CDL truck drivers were ranging from $53,380 all the way to $79,219 depending on State.
In this text you’ll find:
CDL Requirements
There are some requirements you will need before starting taking an exam, here are some:
⦁ You must be 21 years to drive interstate and 18 years to stay within State (Intrastate)
⦁ You must have a valid Illinois license
⦁ U.S. Citizenship, or if you are not a U.S. Citizen, evidence of lawful presence
⦁ Social Security Number (SSN)
⦁ You must pass a medical certification
Steps For Getting Your CDL
Take and pass a knowledge test
On your way of getting your CLP you will have to pass couple of written tests:
⦁ General (Core) Knowledge- This test covers general information that all commercial drivers should know, regardless of the specific type of vehicle they will be operating. It typically includes questions on topics such as vehicle inspection, safe driving practices, basic traffic laws, and emergency procedures.
⦁ Combination Knowledge (class A)- The Combination Knowledge Test is specifically for Class A CDL applicants, which allows them to operate combination vehicles like tractor-trailers (semi-trucks) and trailers. This test assesses knowledge related to coupling and uncoupling procedures, safe operation of combination vehicles, and handling different types of trailers.
⦁ Air Brake Knowledge- The Air Brake Knowledge Test is required for drivers who will be operating vehicles equipped with air brakes. It covers topics related to the proper use and maintenance of air brakes, as well as the potential hazards associated with them.
ELDT Certification
ELDT or Entry-Level Driver Training is a mandatory regulation for everyone. Only in case you obtained your CLP before February 7, 2022. you don’t have to have it. Other than that, it’s a required step before you can have your CLP.
An Illinois resident may complete ELDT in another state. ELDT Certifications has to be done in one of the certified training providers. It can be done online. Here’s the link to find one closest to you.
Price:$25+, can be done online
Getting your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
After you finished with your tests and ELDT Certification it’s time to obtain your CLP. You will do that by going to your Illinois Driver Services facility or DMV and providing all the documents you are required to have.
You will also have to pay the appropriate CLP fee. Price: $50
All CPL holders are in obligation to have had their CLP at least 14 days after the day of issuance prior to conducting their skills/driving testing.
CLP will be valid for one year.
CDL Road Test
Finally, you came to the last step, your skill or driving test.
Now, there you have 3 parts of Skills Test:
⦁ The Vehicle Inspection (Or called Pre-Trip Inspection)- You will be required to demonstrate that you can check various components of the vehicle, including the engine compartment, brake systems, tires, lights, steering, and more. You’ll need to verbally explain what you’re inspecting and why, as well as demonstrate physically checking these components.
⦁ The Basic Control Test- In this part of the test, you’ll demonstrate your ability to control a commercial vehicle in specific maneuvers. This may include activities like straight-line backing, offset backing and parallel parking, depending on what you are assigned by the examiners.
⦁ The Road Test- During the road test, you’ll be evaluated on your driving skills, ability to make safe and efficient lane changes, turns, stops, and other typical driving maneuvers. The examiner will also assess your awareness of traffic rules, your vehicle’s handling, and your ability to respond to various road conditions and situations.
Price: $60 Processing fee
If you fail 3 times tests you have to wait for 30 days to be able to re-test. And if it happens 6 times, you’ll be waiting for 90 days for another chance.
Getting CDL Endorsements
A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) endorsement is an additional qualification or authorization added to a standard CDL, which allows a commercial driver to operate specialized or specific types of commercial vehicles.
These endorsements are required for certain types of commercial driving, such as transporting hazardous materials, passengers, or large trailers. CDL endorsements ensure that drivers have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely handle these specialized tasks.
Here are some common CDL endorsements:
⦁ Passenger Endorsement (P)- This endorsement is for a purpose of driving up to 16 passengers (including driver). You will have to take a knowledge and skills/driving test to have this type of endorsement added on your CDL.
⦁ Charter Bus Endorsement (C)- Any person who drives a bus, other than a school bus, chartered by a school for the sole purpose of transporting students’ grade 12 or below to or from any school-sponsored activity.
⦁ Double/Triple Trailer Endorsement (T)- There’s a knowledge test. Triple trailers are not permitted on Illinois highways.
⦁ Hazardous Materials Endorsement (H)-This endorsement will allow you to carry hazardous materials in your trailers. First, applicants must be approved through TSA. There is a written knowledge test for this endorsement.
⦁ School Bus Endorsement (S)- Transporting students 12th grade and under in yellow school busses will make you have this endorsement on your CDL. Testing for this endorsement is done in written knowledge and skills/driving tests, and the testing must be conducted in yellow bus.
⦁ Tank Endorsement (N)- This endorsement is designed for carrying any liquid or gaseous material within tanks that is permanently or temporary attached to the vehicle or the chassis. Each tank must be in excess of 119 gallons and all tanks must have an aggregate total of 1000 gallons or more. Only knowledge testing is required.
⦁ School Bus Permit (SBP)- This is an Illinois only specific permit required to transport Illinois school children for curriculum activities. There’s a difference between this and (S) endorsement. This particular endorsement is designed for transportation students that are 12th grade and below on behalf of a school or school bus company.
Adding this type of endorsement on your CDL will cost you $5 and (SBP) $9.
Picking a CDL School in Illinois
This step for you could be crucial, anyways there’s couple of things you should know about your school before deciding, like price, will they provide a vehicle, will it be automatic or manual, how many course hours will you have and how will that be broken down and etc.
Will give you a couple of schools we reached out:
⦁ Juarez Truck Driving School- $4000
⦁ Buldog CDL Truck Driving School- What stand them out is they have classes on: Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian and Polish. Their price for classes is $3800.
⦁ Alpha Truck Driving School- This school has 160 course hours program, where 100 hours goes to classroom, 20 hours observation and 40 hours behind wheel driving practice. They also have a deal going on $3199 if payed at once, or with a payment plan that goes this way: $700 down payment and every 25 course hours $500 payment, what comes up to $3700.
⦁ Progressive Truck Driving School Inc.- $4000
