We already invested in our CDL Process page an explanation about CDL Process or Road Map on how to get to CDL Road Test. We will take an initiative to explain it here in a freestyle format.
Here is the journey from A to Z below, please enjoy the ride!
Commercial Learner's Permit
First, you will need to pass a written test. If you do pass it, you will get a Commercial Learner Permit or CLP.
Let's say you want to have an extra specialty, for example driving Hazardous Materials (HazMat) or driving Tank Vehicles or Doubles/Triples.
For that, you will need to study and take separate tests. You can take those tests at the same time as you take the CLP test. A $10 DMV fee covers it.
If you want to take those tests later, it will be 5 bucks per test. There are certain rules for Hazmat where you need to take your fingerprints;
for School Bus you will need to take the extra road tests.
Please read the Commercial Driver's Manual for more details. It should be chapters 7-10 for the time being.
The written test has three parts: general knowledge, air brakes, and combination. Study well, especially general knowledge!
You must have NY State regular driver's license or a valid CDL license from another state to take this test.
ELDT
Take ELDT Online and Driving Classes. That's a federal rule. Can't take Road Test without it. If you have a valid and extended Permit received before Feb 7, 2022 - you don't need to take ELDT but that's a rarity now. Our school will need you to register with FMCSA USDOT TPR for your ELDT training. You can take it in our school or elsewhere but advantage in our school, we have all records in one place. We have cases when people took online classes elsewhere without being submitted to FMCSA USDOT TPR. At the road test site, they were denied the road test due to above.
Driving Lessons
Take at least 10 driving lessons. Take less than that and you have a very high chance to fail the Road Test.
Most people are trying to save and end up paying more.
Why? Each time you fail, you will need to book a truck for the road test again and it is not cheap.
When people fail, they realize they didn't invest enough into the lessons and the learning process.
So they keep taking those classes again! Don't make mistakes of many. It is true for any CDL School!
You will need to get a very good grip on Pre-Trip Inspection.
You will need to get comfortable with Basic Control Skills.
It includes Straight Line Backing, Offset Back (Left/Right ), and driver-side or conventional Parallel parking.
On-Road Driving will be judged by your Overall Performance and General Driving Behavior.
Most of the students are nervous during the Road Test, thus it is a must to get a good grip on all the skills.
While taking lessons, we will suggest you a date for the Road Test.
DMV charges $40 to schedule the road test, so you need to pay that fee.
In case when you will need to reschedule the road test, depending on the circumstances we may find an early slot for you.
Otherwise, we will try to arrange it for another date.
Often, you will need to call DMV because the online system does not have the same ability as the phone operator.
Please reschedule at least 3 days before the Road Test, otherwise, you might need to pay $40 again.
And let us know ASAP since we will need to re-arrange our trucks as well.
Medical Certification
If you are planning to drive interstate, i.e. Non-Excepted Interstate (NI) which is the case for most, you will need to clear K Restriction. For that, you will need to pass USDOT Medical Examination and receive USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate. Get any doc from the National Registry We have the doc that we sent our students to; he is a pretty good one and charges a decent price: Dr. Leonid Toprover @ 207 Ocean Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11218. Call him @ 1-718-633-3823. He will instruct you how to submit examination results to Albany.
The Road Test
Finally, when you are ready for the Road Test, ensure you get a good sleep the night before. Arrive early and make sure a valid NY Driver License and a Commercial Learner's Permit are with you. The first part of the test is Pre-trip Inspection. If you pass it, you will go to the Basic Controls Skills Test and the On-Road Driving. If you don't pass, the examiner won't send you further, so you will know right away. In this case, you will need to book a new date for the Road Test and pay a $40 DMV fee. If you don't pass Basic Controls Skills and On-Road Driving, you pay a $40 DMV fee. You will need to schedule another Road Test date and only pass the part you didn't pass. Sometimes things break during the test. If it happens or if any force majeure happens, the examiner will reschedule the road test without a fee.
And at last
Once you pass an exam, please call us.
We are always happy to hear good news and we care about our students.
Each time you teach someone, as a teacher you do connect with the student on a personal level.
We also do value reviews about our company, so we might send you a link to write it down.
Or click it right here.
That's all folks. Contact us if you have any specific questions!
