Postal Letter

Do you have to learn how to drive a semi in order to get a CDL?

My brother seriously needs to make a career change. He's been working in the food service industry for 25 years. Crap work for crap pay. I thought maybe he could learn how to drive a truck (more like UPS or FEDEX or local business to make deliveries, etc.) and get a CDL but I don't know if he has to go to a school to learn how to drive a semi or if there's an option to just learn how to drive a smaller truck or bus.

Public Comments

1. There are trucking schools where you can get your CDL license and you do not have to just learn to drive Semi's, Also in Florida i know you can buy yourself a CDL license.
2. YES ,YOU MUST TAKE A DRIVEING TEST
3. Should be able to skate with a class B license, but I'd go for the CDL just to stay competitive!
4. dont go into trucking. really, way too many layoffs. wage reductions (yrc/yellow/fed ex.ups.etc.has lost about 15% of there yearly salary). its really going in the toilet. look in yahoo fianances, type in yrcw and look in the stock. its in the toilet. (they are the biggest company, and will crumble this year/or next year. as for the pay. most start at $12.00-$15.00 . so, my advice. go into computers/or heath field.
5. It really depends on you particular state/province laws. I live in Illinois and here you need only a standard license (D) to drive small delivery trucks. Larger delivery trucks, buses, or any hauling of passengers takes a class C, driving a fire truck sized vehicle takes a B, and full 18 wheelers take a CDL (A). Here they don't care if you have had lessons or not, only that you pass the test in the right size truck for the license you want.
6. A CDL is a Commercial Driver's License. They are not just for tractor trailers. You do need one for the size/class of vehicle you are driving. If he's only interested in driving a cube van/delivery vehicle, he probably won't need a CDL, but those jobs are not easy to get. They also don't pay that great since you do not need a special license to operate them. A straight truck or bus does required a special license. You can take lessons for those vehicles specifically. If he gets his tractor trailer license, then he is also permitted to drive straight truck. If he writes the test for bus at the same time, he will also be licensed for those when he passes his road test for tractor trailer. Why not get the tractor trailer license ? That way you are not limited in your employment options... and you can make more money.