B CDL License

[Toad45]

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago about retraining into another career field. I was offered a chance to obtain a B CDL thru a two week school called Southwest Truck Drivers Training. I have a basic understanding of the size and types of vehicles available to a class B license holder. But a couple of questions have been nagging at me.
When I called the school and informed them that I wished to take their course for a class B license I was told I really should consider going for the class A license. I told them I had no interest in an "A" license and they said, "Oh, you want to drive bus." That kinda sounded funny. Yes, I would like to drive bus but I also would like to drive any other vehicle available to a class B holder. I understand that I will need to study and pass the tests for the endorsements I wish to aquire.
My biggest question is what will I be allowed to drive when I get out of this school? I understand the skills part of the test has to be taken in a vehicle "representative" of what your going to be driving. If I take the skills test in a bus am I going to be stuck driving only a bus? If I test in a straight box truck will I not be able to drive a bus? Do I need to get the endorsements before I take the skills test?? I ask the rep. at the school and all I get is "Don't worry. We take care of everything." (?) Two weeks seems like a very short time to study and take the written and also get enough drive time in to pass the skills test. Someday I would like to (test) get a HAZMAT, tanker, air brake and passenger endorsements. Am I going to go back and retest in different vehicles? I wish they would answer my questions instead of just telling me "everything will be taken care of." I went and got the book and have started to study prior to attending the school. Can someone clue me in on what I can expect from the licensing process? I'm in the dark.... Toad

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by Toad45

I was contacted a couple of weeks ago about retraining into another career field. I was offered a chance to obtain a B CDL thru a two week school called Southwest Truck Drivers Training. I have a basic understanding of the size and types of vehicles available to a class B license holder. But a couple of questions have been nagging at me.
When I called the school and informed them that I wished to take their course for a class B license I was told I really should consider going for the class A license. I told them I had no interest in an "A" license and they said, "Oh, you want to drive bus." That kinda sounded funny. Yes, I would like to drive bus but I also would like to drive any other vehicle available to a class B holder. I understand that I will need to study and pass the tests for the endorsements I wish to aquire.
My biggest question is what will I be allowed to drive when I get out of this school? I understand the skills part of the test has to be taken in a vehicle "representative" of what your going to be driving. If I take the skills test in a bus am I going to be stuck driving only a bus? If I test in a straight box truck will I not be able to drive a bus? Do I need to get the endorsements before I take the skills test?? I ask the rep. at the school and all I get is "Don't worry. We take care of everything." (?) Two weeks seems like a very short time to study and take the written and also get enough drive time in to pass the skills test. Someday I would like to (test) get a HAZMAT, tanker, air brake and passenger endorsements. Am I going to go back and retest in different vehicles? I wish they would answer my questions instead of just telling me "everything will be taken care of." I went and got the book and have started to study prior to attending the school. Can someone clue me in on what I can expect from the licensing process? I'm in the dark.... Toad

IF you get the air brake endorsement, you can DRIVE any Class B truck.

however, i (somewhat) agree with the school. why limit yourself to only the B license, when an A license wil cover so much more in your future.

also too think about this, that school is trying to get as much money as possible for thier cash register. so, if the unemployment office is paying, i say "go for it all".........

but, if YOU are paying for some of the training, and someone else pays the balance, then you have a choice.

two weeks IS a very short time i agree. and yes, you WILL BE ABLE to drive right out of school, PROVIDED there are job openings in YOUR AREA. NO SCHOOL CAN GUARANTEE YOU A JOB..............

and always (from what i know thus far) schools PROVIDE the equipment REQUIRED for the DMV road tests. usually, at NO EXTRA CHARGE, as that's included with your tuition.

[bigrig377]

A Class B CDL is a nice license to have. I would recommend to take the air brake written test and make sure the vehicle you practice & test on has air brakes. I would also try to get the Haz mat (H endorsement), tank (N endorsement), Passenger bus (P endorsement) & school bus (S endorsement)endorsements. That would give you a complete package. Yes, ask questions of the school. You could take your skills test in a bus as long as it is a Class B vehicle and is equipped with air brakes. It is your time & investment!

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

MANY schools do the road/skills test and all one needs from then is to do the written tests at DMV offices.
MANY schools provide the answers to the written tests as a preparation technique.

Yes, acquiring ALL endorsements is good.

Acquiring a class A license (class 6, 7, 8 vehicles) to drive a class B truck isn't really needed if you have no intention of ever driving more than class B vehicles.

[Toad45]

THANK YOU ALL!!!!! Good to hear some opinions. I am now 45 years old with major commitments at home that won't allow me to be gone for weeks at a time. So I figured a B license would suit me better. I have a lot of friends who have steady driving jobs, (Garbage trucks, propane delivery, dump trucks and so on.) and they are home every night. At this point that is what I need. I believe that a B license with as many endorsments as possible will make me a lot more employable when the time comes when I am able to relocate the hell out of Arizona.. I moved myself and my elderly mom down here as the weather is better for her health. When this commitment is over I plan to move just as quickly as possible back to the snow belt.... Thanks for the good info guys!!

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by Toad45

THANK YOU ALL!!!!! Good to hear some opinions. I am now 45 years old with major commitments at home that won't allow me to be gone for weeks at a time. So I figured a B license would suit me better. I have a lot of friends who have steady driving jobs, (Garbage trucks, propane delivery, dump trucks and so on.) and they are home every night. At this point that is what I need. I believe that a B license with as many endorsments as possible will make me a lot more employable when the time comes when I am able to relocate the hell out of Arizona.. I moved myself and my elderly mom down here as the weather is better for her health. When this commitment is over I plan to move just as quickly as possible back to the snow belt.... Thanks for the good info guys!!

I wouldn't be afraid to get a CDL-A License,there are plenty of crossover Positions ,especially in the tanker world. You don't neccesarily have to run the road...