Benefits of getting Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A Commercial Driver's License gives someone the opportunity to become a truck driver, which will provide a hefty salary in an industry that is consistently desperate for drivers. A rookie truck driver fresh out of driving school can expect to enter the industry earning approximately $40,000-45,000 annually with benefits including health, dental, and a chance to begin saving for retirement. With safe driving, this salary could easily exceed $100,000 annually in a couple of years. The salary and benefits both depend heavily on the type of trucking job a driver has and the company he works for. CDL certification can also be used in other areas apart from long distance transportation. A CDL driver can also work for a construction company or drive a school bus. A commercial driver’s license offers someone an opportunity to find wonderful jobs that keep our country moving and pay great.
How to get your Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
There are strict requirements for getting the CDL certification, and these requirements are subject to changes implemented by the United States Department of Transportation. These requirements include:
- A driver must be at least 18 years of age.
- A driver must have held a valid driver's license, chauffeur's license, or public passenger chauffeur's license for at least one year.
- A student will be required to pass three tests which comprise the CDL exam: the combination knowledge test, air brake knowledge test and the general knowledge test.
- A prospective driver must also obtain a commercial driver's license learner's permit prior to taking the exam.
- Aside from the written portions, a prospective driver will be required to also pass a driving exam. That test is going to include pre-trip inspection, a skills test, and an over-the-road (OTR) test. If a driver is successful in passing his written tests and performs adequately on the driving test, the new driver will be issued the CDL certificate, which makes you to legally drive CMV on public roads.
More is required from you if you are holding a CDL certificate. Professional drivers are held to much higher standards than other drivers as far as safety goes. For instance, a person is not permitted to operate a commercial vehicle if he has a detectable or measurable amount of alcohol in his blood. If a driver’s blood-alcohol content is more than 0.04%, he will be arrested, and his license may even be suspended for several months. Many states may have different requirements concerning what is allowed as the minimum blood-alcohol level of any truck driver, so it is best to reference the regulations of each state in which you will be driving.
Obtaining a commercial driver’s license is an amazing opportunity for hard-working Americans who are searching for reliable employment with a high salary.