Thanks for the encouragement

[wellbuilt]

I passed my CDL class A today .
I used a on line test to practice the written part . The driving test and pre trip inspection was easy . I dug up a tractor trailer to practice on, if i have time this winter I'm going to learn to drive it, and retake the test. Thanks again John

[Dirt Digger2]

congrats...i assume since you want to retake it in a tractor then you passed it in a non-airbrake truck?

best of luck to you, but now remember since you have a CDL you are now held to a higher standard of driving...if you get pulled over fines are doubled and your Blood Alcohol Level is half that now of a regular driver...just a few things to keep in mind so it doesn't come back to bite you, you can no longer play ignorance "oh officer i didn't know you couldn't do that"

i learned the hard way..haha

[CrystalCreek]

Well done and take dirt diggers advise to heart. I think in NJ if you lose it to drinking, you lose it forever. Since I got mine, I will not even have one drink if I have to drive.

Now for the fun part. Go make some money with that license. I know there are alot of dump truck companies that hire guys with CDL's for snow plowing the highways. Pays about $50 i've heard. The nice part is no complaining customers or wear and tare on your truck. You get to use theirs. Again, congratulations

[RockSet N' Grade]

Wellbuilt.......you are now considered a "professional driver" in the eyes of the law. It is for real. They don't give you any slack when pulled over for anything, be it in an auto or rig. The alcohol deal is important to remember also. If I know I am going to drive, not one little bit of juice for me - the consequences are too severe and the law now holds you to a much higher standard. Good luck, nice move on your part to get your CDL.....it can do nothing but help you.

[Dirt Digger2]

Go make some money with that license. I know there are alot of dump truck companies that hire guys with CDL's for snow plowing the highways. Pays about $50 i've heard. The nice part is no complaining customers or wear and tare on your truck. You get to use theirs. Again, congratulations

thats what I did :dancing:

i got a job driving plow rig for the township where I go to school...I will either be in a International or Ford F550....doesn't matter to me, i just know i wouldn't have gotten the job without my CDL....now i just need for it to snow

[minimax]

That's great, You have jointed the CDL club nowThumbs UpThumbs Up

minimax

[YellowDogSVC]

congrats. What did you test in?

[wellbuilt]

congrats. What did you test in?

I just had to use my cab over and my 12000lb trailer 28000 lbs My excavator told me i could use his 3300lb single Axel dump with 20,000lb trailer with air breaks I could have passed the test in the truck. It mite have passed inspection but the truck did not start when it was time to go for the road test . Now I'm OK to drive with a 26000 lb truck and a trailer to match . No max weight on the combo that i can see . No air breaks . I have a friend that will teach me to drive his tractor trailer now , i did not have the time to learn on his truck and after the test i was glad i was not in a full size tractor. I would have had to bend it in the middle or stand it on end to get around the corners in the small towns . I still cant work yet i have to wait 7 more days . Happy New year John

[Dirt Digger2]

i would take the test in the single axle and tag, thats what i took mine in...much easier then the tractor

its funny the truck wouldn't start, when i went to take my test it was so cold out that the fuel gelled and the truck quit running. I had to take off the fuel filters, put fresh fuel in, prime the truck, etc.. all while it was 18 degrees at 5am working with a flashlight...haha, what a pain that was

seems when you have to be somewhere at a certain time everything goes wrong, but any other morning its fine

[wellbuilt]

It was sucky but what could i do , I don't think we could get all the dam lights to come on any way we had it fixed a few times and went around the block and something else would be out. The thing is i have a friend that has a tractor and could get a trailer to practise on . He drives up state every day and could let me drive on the return trip . I don't know if i can do this now that i took the road test and got a CDL ? I mite have to get a new permit and pay MORE money to practice driving . I don't think i could drive a tractor with out some seat time . John

[Dirt Digger2]

you would just have to get the permit for air brake i believe and not the actual Class A permit

i'm sure those lovely folks down at the DMV could help you out HAHA

[wellbuilt]

you would just have to get the permit for air brake i believe and not the actual Class A permit

I'm sure those lovely folks down at the DMV could help you out HAHA

I have the permit for air breaks / hazmat The test was easy . I started with the general then worked the combo /air breaks / hazmat there where more questions then i thought there would be but it was way easier then the on line test. There where only 3 answers on the test on line there where 4 . none /all of the above . I think i only misted a few questions. I was thinking i would need to take a test with a tractor trailer to drive a Tractor trailer since it was larger ?
NY MV is brutal The crazy lady gave me paper work for 2005 that has been changed in 2006 WTF. If i followed the instructions i could have been locked up.

[Dirt Digger2]

the paper work should all be the same...a Class A is a Class A no matter what size truck you are driving, then airbrakes is a completely seperate thing

but then again, if i remember correctly when i was asking questions about the CDL a year or two ago people from New York were telling me things completely different then what goes on here is PA...like I was saying, here in PA a Class A ranges from a 26,001 combination all the way up to 80,000+ lbs

[wellbuilt]

Well its snowing here today I will be working on this driving thing again on Monday . There are lots of dumps for sale. I could get a newer truck for around $10,000 but I'm not ready yet . My truck, skid, EX, and trailers all work well together .I want to trade up to a larger Ex 12 or 16000 lbs EX . Its a lot of cash to spend on a side line bizz . I hate snow John