Do You Need a CDL For That?
June 14, 2014
If you want to be a trucker, then you will need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). But, what about a bus driver, taxi driver, or dump truck operator? What if you want to haul some livestock, or work for FedEx? The answer is not so simple. Since each state has its own licensing laws, drives will need to check with the local DMV website for their specific location. However, there are a few general rules that apply across the U.S.
You will need a commercial license to drive any of the following:
– Vehicles weighing more than 26,000 lb (11,793 kg) for commercial use
– Vehicles transporting quantities of hazardous materials that required warning placards under Department of Transportation regulations
– Vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver
CDL for the Hearing Impaired
March 30, 2014
If you want to be a trucker and are deaf, hard-of-hearing or slowly losing your hearing capabilities, then you may still be able to get your Commercial Drivers license and become a truck driver in the U.S.
While the Department of Transportation (DOT) has previously required drivers to pass a hearing test, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) may now be able to help you get your license even if you can’t pass the DOT’s hearing requirements. For more information, see the NAD’s information page on Commercial Driver’s Licenses.