TRUCK DRIVER LICENSE

Truck Driver License

In order for a person to obtain a CDL (commercial driver license) there are several requirements which need to be met. First of all one must show that they are fully capable of safely handling and drive a commercial size truck and while in training a trainee has to be accompanied by a licensed driver at all times until they receive their own. Thereafter exams have to be passed on rules and regulations. A CDL license can not be obtained in any state if your driver license has been revoked or suspended in another.

Most state regulations set their minimum age at 18 years of age for drivers who operate within the state's boundaries while the age for interstate driving has been set for 21 years old and at this point one must be able to pass a physical examination. It is required that in order to obtain a CDL one must have at least a 70 degree field of vision in each eye and also a 20/40 corrected or uncorrected, nor can one be colorblind. Hearing must also be good and one has to be able to hear a whisper from a distance of at least 5 feet away, with or without hearing aid.

Other things that are required in order to obtain a CDL license is that a driver must have good blood pressure and have normal use of arms and legs. Any use of controlled substances must be prescribed by a medical doctor and according to Federal regulations all drivers will be tested for alcohol and drug use prior to employment and these regulations also call for random testing while on duty. People suffering from diabetes which is insulin controlled as well as people with epilepsy may not be able to get a CDL.

Although these are the minimum federal standards for requiring a CDL license, which are often lower than standards required by private institutions, many companies have their own rules and the minimum age for a CDL is set at 22 years of age. Companies also often demand that their truckers have to be able to do heavy lifting and in many7 cases they want people who already have 3-5 years experience. Having graduated from high school is often a plus when being hired and receiving your CDL training through a big company.

Most people who have just completed their CDL training do get regular drivers positions almost immediately while a few will get substitute positions, filling in for drivers who are on leave or are sick. Eventually these will get assigned their own routes as these become available. In the beginning not all new drivers will be put behind the wheel of a big truck but rather given light truck until they prove themselves capable of handling heavy tractor trailers by demonstrating good driving skills.