Getting your Commercial Drivers License in Colorado
It seems Daily I am asked by someone, how do I get my Commercial Drivers License, and do I need a CDL?
You must have a CDL if you operate: Any motor vehicle with a gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCRW) of 26,001or more provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10.000 pounds.
A: You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a CDL instruction permit. Drivers 18 to 20 will be issued the “K” restriction to operate a CDL vehicle within the boundaries of Colorado.
B: Medical Examination: pass a DOT Physical
C: CDL Instruction Permit: You must have a Colorado Regular Drivers License before applying D: CDL Driving Skill Tests
To receive the CDL instruction Permit you must:
·Have a Colorado regular drivers license
·Show acceptable legal presence documentation
·Show acceptable identification
·Be at least 18 years of age
·Show proof of your Social Security Number
·Show proof of a current DOT medical examination certificate
·Clear Commercial Drivers License Information System (CDLIS) and National Driver Register (NDR)records check
·Pass the required CDL Knowledge Tests,
(A) General knowledge,
(B) Combination Vehicle,
(C) Air Brakes·Pay the Instruction Permit fee (Costs approx $14.00)
Skills Tests: coloradocdltesting.com 719-338-1550
Authorized CDL third party driving skill testing units administer the CDL skills test, There are three types of skills tests that you will be tested on: (Costs $275.00)
·Vehicle Inspection : Brake Check, In-cab inspection, Exterior Light Check, Exterior vehicle inspection,
· Basic Vehicle Control
·On- Road Driving
Note: If you fail any portion of the skill tests, you must wait three days to be retested
Pre-Trip Inspection:
You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive.
(A) You will be asked to do a vehicle Inspection and explain to the tester what you are inspecting and howyou know an item is in good, safe working order
(B) Basic Vehicle Control: You will be tested on your skills to control the vehicle in relation to other objects.
(C) You will be asked to do the following Maneuvers within a defined area marked by Traffic
cones. The maneuvers are as followed:
(A) Forward Stop, Straight Ling Backing
(B) Offset Left, Pulling into the lane to the left
(C) Offset back into the alley to the right putting the rear of the vehicle in the 3′ Box
Scoring: Based on the following, Encroachments (Crossing Boundaries) Pull-Ups Vehicle Position, Get outs (Looks) On Road Driving: How You Will Be Tested
You will Drive over a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. At all times during the test you must drive in a safe and responsible manner.
During the test you will be scored on specific driving maneuvers as well as on general driving behavior. Directions will be given to you so that you will have plenty of time to do what the tester has asked
Turns, Intersections Urban/Rural Straight, Urban/Rural Lane changes, Expressway, Stop/Starts, Curve, Rail Road Crossing, Bridge/Overpass Signs, Clutch Usage, Gear Usage, Brake Usage, Lane Usage/changes.
Automatic Failures: An occurrence of any of the following will result in automatic failure of the road test.
· Did not use safety belt
· A moving violation or disobeying a sign or signal
· An avoidable crash, collision, or incident
· A dangerous act
· Putting the vehicle over sidewalks or curves
Truck Driving Schools across Colorado, I found programs ranging upward to $7,000.00 to $12,000 for the Class A program, For Class B Programs, $3,850.00 to $5,250.00 depending on where you go and the level of training you’re hoping to get.
Half a century ago student truck drivers had little more than on the job training, The Transportation Industry has continued to change through the years, and as it continues to develop and evolve, more skills than ever before are required of the professional Drivers.
As the Industry evolves you want a school that continues to stay one step ahead, The idea here is to get your training by an organization or Individual that is dedicated to teaching you the skills you need to not only pass the tests, but skills you can take with you, that you can build on. You want a program that has the ability to identify your individual skills as well as strengths and weaknesses behind the wheel so that you and your mentor can spend quality time and attention in those areas so that you may master your weakness.
It is imperative for students to have individual training time with their mentor, so they can understand the capabilities and limitations of the Tractor-Trailer. Building a foundation of skills offers a student the ability to identify hazards and know how to respond before they become “Live Situations”
I believe after formal training a student in the early months should be paired up with and experienced driver so to continue building their foundation of knowledge and experience one can only get from a true seasoned Professional Driver.
If you have comments, Questions or just need help in this next chapter in you life shoot me an email and id be happy to help you drive your future…
Steve Speake
coloradocdltesting.com
ColoradoTrainingSolutions.com
stevespeake 