Driver’s licenses are a necessity for anyone who wishes to travel on the road. Even if a person happens to be an exceptional driver, they won’t be allowed to drive until they carry any license in some form.

Drivers who operate regular vehicles like consumer model cars and vans generally get a basic driver’s license, according to their state’s standards and regulations. Drivers of commercial vehicles like buses, trucks and even tractor trailers get assigned a license known as a commercial driver’s license.

The commercial driver’s license

Commercial driver’s licenses or CDLs are required to operate any type of vehicle with a gross vehicle weight totaling over 26,001 pounds or more. These super heavyweight vehicles are used for commercial and special transportation purposes.

Although most commercial driver’s licenses don’t require formal training, each prospective driver is required to pass a written knowledge test, generally testing an individual’s knowledge about highway safety and the components of their chosen vehicle.

To pass this type of test, most students must get at least 70 percent of their test questions correct. The other half of the testing procedure involves the actual driving test—though it’s the knowledge test that potentially stumps a lot of potential drivers.

Preparing for the CDL test

The knowledge portion of a commercial driver’s license test takes place at special training facilities, state and/or governmental departments and even private institutions likely affiliated with a potential employer. Some institutions offer free on-site test preparation before the testing begins. Other people seek alternatives to preparing themselves for their upcoming test.

The most common way people prepare themselves for their upcoming CDL test is using special computer software at home. CDL Test software can effectively help them study and practice the test itself without heading to another establishment. Many CDL Test software packages compile different potential questions that help prospective test takers retain knowledge needed to pass their CDL test.

The best CDL Test software packages update their software each year, allowing students to stay on track and up-to-date with their state’s current testing procedure and questions. CDL Test software packages offer several options, which includes knowledge and written portions of their state-sanctioned test for practice. Users may be subject to a fee, though there are free CDL Test software with a limited amount of questions to try before buying any software.

Most CDL Test software packages offer a relatively inexpensive alternative for people looking to prepare for their CDL tests. If you’re a person getting ready for the testing process, why not find a CDL Test software package that suits you today?

By Kevin Hicks

 The Best Guide to Get You through the CDL Pre-Trip Inspection

The most difficult part of getting a commercial driver license is the CDL pre-trip inspection test. During it, you will be tested to determine if you can appreciate whether your vehicle is safe to drive. The examiner will ask you questions about the following vehicle components:

Tires

When asked about the tires, you are expected to determine if the air pressure is proper for the tire, or if the tire size is suitable for that vehicle. Also, you should keep an eye on potential cuts or damages.

Wheels and rims

Look for damaged rims, missing clamps, lugs or studs. Make sure that the hub oil seal or the axle seal have a proper fluid level and are not leaking.

Brakes

During the CDL pre-trip inspection, you are also expected to check if there are any problems with the brake drums, if there are any traces of brake fluid, oil or grease on the shoes or pads, as well as to check for broken or loose slack adjusters.

Steering system

When inspecting the steering system, you should make sure that there are no missing nuts, cotter keys, and that there are no leaks of power steering fluid. Also, any loose or broken parts of the steering linkage can be a problem.

Suspension system

If you are asked to inspect the suspension system, you have to look for front rear and trailer suspension damages. This is a very important part of the CDL pre-trip inspection, because any broken part can lead to high accidents risks.

Exhaust system

You should be able to analyze if there are any leaks that could allow the carbon monoxide to enter your cab, or if there are any loose, broken, missing or moving parts.

Emergency equipment

When you decide to go on a trip, you should make sure that your vehicle is fully equipped for emergency situations with: three reflective triangles, a charged fire extinguisher and spare electrical fuses.

This is one of the most important CDL pre-trip inspection requirements. If you do not have this equipment, in case of a critical situation, things could degenerate, putting your life and that of the others in danger.

The cargo

Your vehicle must not be overloaded. Assuming that is not the case, you also have to balance and secure your cargo. For any hazardous materials, you must be equipped with proper papers and placarding.

Other elements

You also have to check: engine oil level, battery fluid level, belts for tightness and wear, any fluid leaks, oil, water pump, hydraulic fluid, etc.

When doing the interior CDL pre-trip inspection, look if the gauges work in a proper way: wheels pressure, engine oil temperature and warning lights. You must also see if there are any problems with the controls, like looseness or improper settings.

Other things you have to check for are: mirrors and windshields, lights, 4-way flashers and brakes. Do not forget that, if you are not able to inspect the air brake when performing the CDL pre-trip inspection, you fail the road skills exam.

As shown above, the inspection has to include the engine compartment, inside cab, front side, under and rear of the vehicle. You are also expected to start up the engine and check the air brakes.

It might sound difficult, but if you want to get you driving license, you have to stay focused, to learn as much as you can, and to see things with optimism and confidence. Nothing is impossible if you really want to succeed!

Now you know how the CDL pre-trip inspection will take place, so all you have to do is to get ready.

For a Practice Commercial Driver’s License Test please visit: http://www.test-cdl.com

By: Kevin Hicks

If you intend to drive a vehicle with a weight greater than 26 000 pounds or a truck towing vehicle with a GVWR of maximum ten thousand pounds, you need a class B CDL license. This category includes vehicles like:

• delivery trucks
• commercial buses
• school buses
• tow trucks
• cement mixers
• dump trucks.

Be careful not to confuse other vehicles with the ones the class B CDL license gives you the right to drive. For example, driving big rigs and extra long trailers requires another type of CDL license.

In order to obtain the driving license, you have to pass a test that is not exactly easy, but the following recommendations may prove helpful.

• You will be required to answer several general questions, so you have to study a lot. There are many strategies you can use, but an easier and a cheaper option are online tests. Many websites offer full test packages, highly efficient and guaranteed to work. In case they don’t pay off, and you fail the test, you receive your money back. So, they are certainly worth trying!

• Another option is to search for a truck training school. However, you will have to pay for the lessons, and, whether you pass the exam or not, you still lose the money. This is an option worth considering only if you are committed to obtaining your driving license and you can afford to cover the expenses, which can reach a couple of thousand dollars.

• After you finish studying, if you are 100% sure that you can answer all the questions, you can go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the class B CDL license test.

• The first step is the written test. You have 60 minutes to complete it, plus another few minutes for every endorsement test. You have to answer correctly at least 80% of the questions. If you pass the written exam, the next step is the road test, covering three stages: the pre-trip inspection, the road performance and the basic control abilities test.

The Pre–trip Inspection

You have to explain to the examiner which parts of the vehicle should be checked before you start the engine. Next, you have to know the features of some components: engine compartment, oil level, power steering fluid, clutch, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge, ammeter/voltmeter, mirrors, emergency equipment, steering play, wipers, lighting indicators, parking brake check, hydraulic brake check, safety belts and lights/reflectors.

Knowing these things is important not just for obtaining the class B CDL license, but also for the times when you are actually on the road, for your own safety and protection. The examiner can ask you about two or three components only, but, since you can’t know which he will choose, you have to learn them all.

Basic Controls

This part of the class B CDL license test includes skills test exercises and skill test scoring. You need to complete three exercises in order to pass the on-road driving test: conventional parallel parking, straight line braking and offset back left.

The On-Road Driving Test

You have to prove that you can drive on a difficult route. If you can get past the potential obstacles and you comply with the traffic rules, passing the test will be simple, and the license will be all yours.

Now that you have all the information required to make your dream come true, you can start searching for a good practice test online. You not only save money by doing it, but you also save time, because the more you study and the faster you learn, the sooner you can get your class B CDL license.

For a Practice Class B CDL test please visit: http://www.test-cdl.com

By: Kevin Hicks

Are you interested in taking CDL training? If you have always wanted to become a licensed commercial driver, then you ought to take the CDL test seriously. Without passing your state CDL test, you cannot drive or operate commercial trucks or any other commercial vehicles in your state or in any other state for that matter. That is because a CDL is required by the law and this can only be obtained by passing the class CDL test set by the state.

The good news is that you do not have to spend an unreasonable amount of money just so you can have the right CDL preparation and training you seek. You can have easy access to light CDL training that does not ruin your budget or disrupt your normal schedule. Now, with online CDL resources, you can have affordable CDL training that can prepare you well and good for the state-required commercial driving license test.

It is important to know that before you can obtain a commercial drivers license, you would need to pass a general knowledge test as well as a road drive test. If you are wary of taking these tests because you think you cannot pass, then your confidence can certainly be boost with the existence of these helpful CDL prep resources online.

Affordable CDL training is possible with self-help materials made available online. For instance, a person who wants to review and practice for the said test can always use the CDL practice tests offered by reputable sites and companies. Such CDL training is practical because it frees you from spending much money and it gives you full control of your study and training time. Proper training can be yours without pressure; giving way to effective CDL training that can help you ace your commercial driver’s license tests.

Are you wondering whether a CDL practice test can help you or not? Because of the law, it is impossible for a person to drive a commercial vehicle without a commercial driver’s license. If you have always thought of pumping up your business or career by getting your CDL, then you should already start on how you can finally obtaining this very important license.

A CDL practice test can indeed be very helpful if you want to obtain your commercial driver’s license. This is true for a number of reasons. First of all, even if you are very knowledgeable in commercial vehicles and driving in general, you are never a hundred percent sure of passing the said licensing test. This is because in the test, you need to deal with a number of topics as well as answer very specific questions. Putting your hopes on plain pragmatic driving would not be enough. It is crucial that you take an updated CDL practice test so you can have the feel of taking the actual licensing test.

A CDL practice test also lessens the difficulty most people experience in test-taking. Keep in mind that test-taking anxiety is real. And not practicing beforehand can wipe out all your knowledge just because you are nervous, scared or not used to taking tests at all. With a CDL practice test, you give yourself the chance to feel comfortable in a test-like environment, thus, arming you with the needed knowledge as well as attitude for the real licensing test.

Do not ever think that you can never get licensed as a commercial vehicle driver. If you want to drive a commercial truck or even operate a school bus business, then you would have to deal with the CDL test now or later. The best thing to do is to prepare yourself the right way; that is, take a CDL practice test so you can finally breeze through the test, and get your much awaited license.