Yip, Yip, Hooraaaaay!!

[Douglas]

Just went and took the Combination written exam and got my Class AP learners permit. Only missed 2 questions out of 20 (4 is the most you can miss and still pass), and it's all thanks to those who posted those online practice CDL tests. I was able to take the exam while looking for the answers in my manual, and that's how the answers got stuck in my head, so thanks guys for posting those CDL prep test links.

You know, when I first started working for the city over a year ago, I was scared because I was afraid of driving the city vehicles (regular vehicles) because I might not know which street I was supposed to go to, and everyone might get mad. It was only about 6 months later that I already wanted to hop in and drive a dumptruck, so I went and got my Class B learners. At the time, I never imagined wanting to get my Class A's, but now, 7 months later, here I am. Amazing how your goals can change so suddenly.

[yoopr]

I thought you were 19?

[TomB985]

I thought I read that you can get your CDL at 18, just can't drive interstate until 21.

[yoopr]

This is out of the Trucking Bible and why I was curious why he was getting his CDL when I thought he said he was 19 awhile back.

(c) Minimum age and experience requirements. No person shall drive, nor shall any motor carrier require or permit any person to drive, any motor vehicle unless such person possesses the following minimum qualifications:

(c)(1) Age. Minimum age shall be 21 years

[TomB985]

Not sure about that. I know in OH,the minimum age is 18, to drive intrastate.

"Procedures for Obtaining a CDL or CDL Instruction Permit
To get a CDL or CDL instruction permit (CDIP) you are required to be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Ohio State driver's license."

www.ohiobmv.com

You can drive intrastate at age 18 in New Hampshire. I checked a few other states and it's the same.

[Mackman]

you can drive at 18 in PA i did it. Only in PA.

[Douglas]

I thought you were 19?

WRONG. You can be 18 and have CDL's, you just can't drive a commercial vehicle out of the state you live in.

[Douglas]

You can drive intrastate at age 18 in New Hampshire. I checked a few other states and it's the same.

I think so I read on here that it's the same in every state. Of course, I know that in some areas (like New York city, for example) they won't let you drive period unless you're 21.

[yoopr]

I thought you were 19?

WRONG. You can be 18 and have CDL's, you just can't drive a commercial vehicle out of the state you live in.

So awhile back you Didn't say you were 19?
I know all about the age for Interstate driving.

[tjv189]

The whole thing about how you have to be 21 doesn't make much sense to me. I will be 21 in 2 months, but still. You can do everything at age 18 except buy/consume alcohol. At 18, you are legally considered an "adult". Why is it 21 to drive a commercial vehicle out of state? What is the difference if its in your state or out of your state? Can someone clear this up for me?

[Douglas]

Yes, I said so I was 19.

And I guess they don't let people under 21 drive out of state because they feel if something were to happen (truck breaks down, etc.) while they're clean across the country, they might panic, because they might be too young or inexperienced to handle the situation. Not saying that's true, it just may be the law-makers opinion. Another reason might be is that they might stop and pick up prostitutes because at that age, you can't go more than 10 seconds without thinking about sex. (But then again, persons over 21 probably still think about it a lot, too.)

[Mackman]

Can someone clear this up for me?

I can clear it up for you. A bucnh of B. S. thats all there is to that. I got my class A at 18 passed all the same test some one does at 21 did all the same thing but yet i couldnt drive out of state. Am 22 now so i dont have to worry about it but i still think it is B.S. What made me mad is my dad is a O/O and been around trucks my whole life. But yet they take some guy off the streets and put him ina CDL mill and they come out really knowing nothing about trucks and he can drive all 48. I used to really get worked up over this. :evil: :evil:

[Douglas]

Can someone clear this up for me?

I can clear it up for you. A bucnh of B. S. thats all there is to that. I got my class A at 18 passed all the same test some one does at 21 did all the same thing but yet i couldnt drive out of state. Am 22 now so i dont have to worry about it but i still think it is B.S. What made me mad is my dad is a O/O and been around trucks my whole life. But yet they take some guy off the streets and put him ina CDL mill and they come out really knowing nothing about trucks and he can drive all 48. I used to really get worked up over this. :evil: :evil:

Sounds like something the City I work for would do. Instead of promoting me to being a truckdriver, they just hire someone else. They do the same thing when it comes to equipment operators. The ones who dont' know how to run it, they let them be heavy equipment operators. The ones who know how to operate them, they just put them at medium equipment.

But dont' worry though, once I do get my Class A's, and I find me a truckdriving job, I'm outta that s***hole. (Xcuse my language, but that's really the only term to desribe it.) :sad: