I want to get a CDL. A class B CDL is more inline with what I want to do..drive cement truck, but I like the idea of being open to other opportunities. Then I just think that if I'm putting in the time I might as well get a class A. That is the different in training or cost? Oh, I'm in Dallas, Texas if that matters any.

 

I went to my school interview knowing I wanted my class B for a dump truck. I opted to suck it up and do class A to cover EVERYTHING. Im glad now, because it doesnt look like I will be driving a dump truck. I dont see an opportunity to do it year round in Maine. So im all about the class A.

Training is longer, and slightly more money. My class A is 10 weekends versus the 6 weekends for class B.

 

Class A all the way why even bother with B when you have more opp. with A, just a idea but I would go with the A option.Good Luck.

 

In the Dallas area it may be more of a situation of what schools are available to you for the A or B. Personally, I don't know of any that offer a CDL-B.

An "A" would provide for additional options should you find nothing in the dump truck area.

 

Get your class A, and get the hazmat also. I know it costs more and then there is the background check, but in doing so there are so many more options available to you.

 

My CDL History is an off and on story. But I think it offers a little info on getting licensed in Texas. In 1970's? I got a CDL to drive anything with a 1966 Chev. 1 ton pick-up truck. I immediatly jumped up into the cab of a Mack B-77 tractor and pulled a Lo-Boy trailer with 127,000 lbs. of Cat D-8 Tractor and Accossories around South Texas. I got a better job and let the cdl go. In about 1998 I got a job requiring a "B" CDL. I got that using that company's truck, with air brakes, good for straight truck, air brakes. I let that go when I didn't work there anymore, and didn't need the cdl. Then, I started hauling hay in 1000 lb. rolls off my Hay Farm and see I need a calss A cdl to be legal, and get that with my rig. Its a 32' flat bed with a 1-ton Dodge Duelly pullin' it. OK. I'm good. Except now I need to go to work for a compay pullin' tanks. So I go back to Texas DPS DL an get the air brake restriction taken off my License using a friend's straight truck with air brakes. Easy. So In essense. It's easy to get the Class A using a pick-up truck and a flat bed trailer. But you need a source for the Air Brake part of it. Its pretty easy in the boonies where the AG operaters are at. Agriculture offers short cuts to the CDL path. PM Me if I can help.......

 

I decided to get my A over B license just cause. Having an A license provides many more doors. Besides driving a CMV, with your A license you could operate a train or cranes (heavy machinery jobs) that sometimes pay just as well as driving a CMV.

 

100% BS :roll:

 

+1
Ive been driving and operating heavy equipment my whole life and never heard that before. I don't know anything about trains other than don't get in there way but you won't operate a crane with cdl only training.

 

You dont need no license of any kind to run heavy equipment. A crane is a whole another beast.

A train i have no idea what you need to run one of them.