Getting a Commercial Driver’s License can be relatively costly since you have to pay a lot of money; from school training and CLP fee to the last round – CDL test. Many have wondered How to get a CDL license without going to school with an aim to reduce the cost of getting a CDL. The good news is you can obtain a CDL without going through specific school training; however, you do have to take the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to ensure that you are theoretically qualified for the Commercial Driver’s License. Scroll down to discover detailed information!
Can you get a CDL without going to school?
The answer is Yes, you can obtain a Commercial Driver’s License by going straight to the CDL test without engaging in any particular training sites. However, in 2022 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) set additional requirements for the CDL registration.
Specifically, CDL applicants now must pass a training course – Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) and receive training certification to ensure that they are qualified in terms of knowledge to operate a commercial vehicle.
How to get a CDL license without going to school?
Getting a CDL license might be challenging, but with proper instruction from our blog post you can certainly make it through. Follow these steps below to get your CDL without joining a school!
Preparing necessary documents
Before applying for a Commercial Driver’s License, remember to gather all documents required by your state. These documents are often demanded to prove your legal personality and also your physical readiness to operate commercial vehicles. The necessary documents required can be:
- Citizen/Residency proof (Birth certificate, passport,…)
- Medical Certification
- Social Security Number
- Driver License
Depending on the states where you are about to get the CDL, documents required vary. For better preparation, it is recommended to check your states’ Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for specific documentation requirements.
Passing the ELDT
From 2022, anyone desiring to acquire a Commercial Driver’s License must complete the Entry-Level Driver Training enacted by the FMCSA to ensure they receive proper training to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
The FMCSA’s Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations establish the minimum training requirements for new drivers. These rules apply to individuals who are:
- Getting a class A or class B CDL for the first time
- Upgrading from class B CDL to class A CDL
- Getting the School bus (S), Passenger (P), or Hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
Although you are seeking to get a CDL without training, passing the ELDT is unavoidable. This training can include one-on-one instruction or mentorship programs in which theory and practical topics such as vehicle operation and safety protocols are covered.
Acquiring the Commercial Learner’s Permit
Before taking the CDL test, you have to acquire the Commercial Learner’s Permit by passing the CLP written test. This test typically consists of three sections:
- General Knowledge: Covers basic driving principles, vehicle inspection, road safety, and handling emergencies.
- Air Brakes (if applicable): Tests knowledge on the operation and maintenance of air brake systems, which are common in large commercial vehicles.
- Combination Vehicle (if applicable): Focuses on vehicles that consist of a tractor and trailer, including coupling and uncoupling procedures.
Besides the above three sections, you may be required to acquire other endorsements to be qualified to operate certain types of vehicles. In other scenarios, while you may not need to add endorsements to your written knowledge test, you can still attain them to expand your career path and maximize your employment opportunities. These endorsements can be added are:
- Hazardous Material endorsement (H)
- Tank Vehicle endorsement (N)
- Passenger endorsement (P)
- School bus endorsement (S)
- Double/Triple Trailor endorsement (T)
- Tanker and Hazmat endorsement (X)
For those aiming to pass this CLP test without going to school, it is highly recommended that you should regularly take online practice tests to get familiar with the CDL questions format, so that you will not be overwhelmed by the official test. Regarding online practice tests, CDL prep is our best recommendation for you. Start practicing for the CDL written test here today!
Acing the CDL Test
The very last door you need to get by to get a Commercial Driver’s License without going to school is to pass the CDL Test, also called as Skill/Road Test.
This test consists of three parts:
- Pre-trip inspection
This part tests your knowledge of inspecting the vehicle to ensure it’s safe to operate. You’ll need to check various components like brakes, lights, tires, and mirrors and explain how you would confirm they’re in good working condition. Refer to our post on the CDL Pre-trip inspection checklist for more details!
- Basic vehicle control
This portion evaluates your ability to handle the vehicle in different maneuvers. It includes tasks such as straight-line backing, offset backing, and parallel parking to measure your control and spatial awareness in tight spaces.
- On-road driving
The road test involves driving in real traffic conditions, assessing your ability to obey traffic laws, manage lane control, make turns, and perform safe driving maneuvers. It covers scenarios like intersections, lane changes, and speed management.
FAQs
1. What is the easiest state to get a CDL license?
In general, states like Florida and Arizona are often regarded as having more streamlined CDL processes, with lower barriers in terms of documentation and testing requirements. In addition, these two states offer shorter waiting periods that make them popular choices for CDL applicants.
2. What’s the fastest you can get a CDL?
The fastest path to obtain a CDL typically takes around 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the state, availability of training, and scheduling of tests.
3. How to get a CDL in Texas without school?
In Texas, you can obtain a CDL without attending a formal school by studying the CDL manual independently and passing the written and skills tests. However, the FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule requires some form of training, such as private one-on-one instruction or mentorship programs, to be eligible for the CDL exam.
Discover How to get a CDL in Texas here!
4. Can you get a CDL in Ohio without going to school?
Similar to other states, you can obtain a CDL in Ohio without attending a school. However, you must pass the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) enacted by the FMCSA to ensure you receive proper training about driving knowledge before taking the CDL test.
Keep on reading on How to get a CDL in Ohio?
5. Can you get a CDL in Illinois without going to school?
Similar to Ohio and other states in the US, from 2022 all CDL applicants are required to complete the FMCSA’s Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) to be qualified for further steps in getting a Commercial Driver’s License.
Interested in getting a CDL in Illinois, drop by here.
Final thoughts
In short, while you can certainly get a CDL license without going to training school, you should keep in mind that you still have to pass the Entry-Level Driver Training to be comprehensively qualified for the CDL. Now that you have an answer for how to get a cdl license without going to school, should anything still be confusing, leave it below for further discussion.
