Commercial drivers operate trucks, school buses and passenger vehicles. These, drivers need special skills and training to operate commercial vehicles. Alabama requires a CDL applicant to pass both a knowledge and a skills test to obtain a CDL driver’s license. Applicants should salvage resources to study and swear for the tests. They can then get an Alabama CDL license and perform money as a commercial driver.
Access the “Alabama Commercial Driver License Manual” to peruse for the Alabama CDL license (recognize sources). You must take a knowledge and a skills test. You will also need to pass an endorsement test for the following types of vehicle or cargo characteristics: hazardous materials, tank vehicles, double or triple trailers, passenger vehicles, school buses and air brakes. Refer to the manual for specific definitions of these endorsements and the available CDL license classes.
Print out the Department of Transportation “Medical Examination Report for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination” form (see sources). You will need to pass a physical examination for a CDL driver’s license. Schedule an appointment with a doctor and get him to fill out his piece of the report. You may need to request an exemption if you have diabetes or vision problems. Refer to the “Driver Exemption Programs” page at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website (see sources).
Contact the Alabama driver’s license office in your spot to schedule the knowledge tests. Refer to the list of cities and phone numbers of the testing offices in the Alabama CDL manual.
Arrive at the testing center with your regular driver’s license, Social Security card, medical produce and proof of insurance for any vehicles titled in your name (observe sources). Pay the fee for the knowledge test. As of 2010, the fee is $25 in cash. Take the CDL knowledge test and any endorsement tests. You will receive a CDL learner’s permit if you pass the tests. As of 2010, the fee is $23.50 in cash for a learner’s permit.
Train for the CDL skills test. Study the CDL manual as initial preparation for the skills test. However, you can train on actual vehicles with any licensed CDL driver. Check out CDL truck-driving schools certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) if you do not have a local CDL driver to provide training (see sources).
Schedule and catch the CDL skills test with your local testing center. The fee is $20 in cash for the skills test. After passing the test, pay for the license; fees vary depending on the type of license. A Class A license is $53.50, $43.50 for a Class “B” license and $23.50 for a Class “C” or “school bus only” license.
Additional Tips:
Special rules apply to foreigners. You must be a lawful permanent U.S. resident and living in Alabama to get an Alabama CDL license.
You must pass a criminal background check to secure a unsafe materials endorsement. Apply online at the Transportation Security Administration website or call 877-429-7746 if you have questions (see sources).
Sources:
Alabama Department of Public Safety: Alabama Commercial Driver License Manual
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Driver Exemption Programs
Alabama Department of Public Safety: Applying for an Alabama Driver License
Department Of Transportation: Medical Examination Report For CDL Fitness Determination
PTDI: Schools with PTDI-Certified Courses
Transportation Security Administration: Hazardous Material Endorsement Application
A History of Music in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
