Trucking companies will not allow you to walk in with your brand-new commercial driver’s license (CDL) and take out a full load on day one. Conversely, once you have your new license in hand there are a number of truck businesses that are pleased to pay you during a training period, up to a month or so and you can hit the road with their full confidence. Read the advertisements for CDL jobs in Wisconsin carefully and you will see which companies are prepared to train their drivers.
The Application Process for Your CDL
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the regulations for all US states and the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) oversees the state’s licensing process.
Qualification to apply for this EDL license includes holding a current driver’s license and be over 18 years of age. You do have to prove that you are a US citizen or have a permanent legal presence and the only exemptions apply to firefighters, emergency response drivers and some farmers. In some circumstances drivers of backup snow plows can also claim an exemption.
Once you’ve completed your medical paperwork, you apply for a learner’s permit and the majority of drivers take an educational course, although this isn’t mandatory. Your written exams are and you’ll quickly know whether you’ve passed or failed.
Do You Know Your CDL Class Differences?
Vehicle types are placed into brackets for the types of trucks that you allow to drive commercial vehicles. The class A license is required by the majority of trucking companies because it allows you to drive tractor trailers and tanker vehicles. The class B license is designed more for straight trucks, large buses and box trucks which are mostly used as couriers and delivery drivers. The class C license applies and covers smaller buses and hazardous material containers such small hazmat vehicles. You will need to know these differences and which licenses you are targeting as you consider all of the available CDL jobs in Wisconsin.
How You Can Be Trained While You Gain Experience
Some trucking companies will employ drivers with very little or no experience, providing you are keen and interested in the work as a career. They help you with your training and many will pay you a basic amount of money while you are learning. The training period can last up to a month or when the experts believe you’re ready to drive. Most trucking companies will insist that you hold a class A CDL license, but they’re happy to show you how they want trucks driven across the state and later, across the US.
