Students must complete some training and exams to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL). While the level of training needed can vary by state, there are general requirements that all students must meet to obtain their licenses.
New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS) offers career training for those who want their CDL, including Class A CDL training courses and Class B CDL training courses, in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Basics of CDL Training
CDL training is designed to teach you the driving skills to pass the state licensing exam, preparing you to drive trucks and tractor-trailers. Typically, CDL training programs include both classroom instruction and hands-on learning. Students must obtain their training from an approved training provider by the FMCSA for Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).
Requirements may vary by state and the license you want to obtain. For example, those who want a Class A need to complete different training than those who want a Class B CDL License. At NETTTS, our CDL programs include classroom and simulator training, followed by hands-on or behind-the-wheel instruction. Schedules are flexible, so students can learn at a comfortable pace.
Before applying for the CDL test, students must first earn their commercial learner’s permit (CLP). While holding a permit, they must demonstrate competency behind the wheel during driving practice. Students must have their CLP for a minimum of 14 days before taking their CDL licensing exam.
NETTTS trains on both automatic and manual transmissions, whereas others may only teach automatic. Those students that take their CDL test on an automatic vehicle will receive an Automatic Restriction on their CDL which would prevent them from driving trucks and tractor-trailers with a manual transmission.
Our instructors come from the trucking industry, each with a minimum of three years of experience as professional, certified truck drivers. We also have a fleet of trucks and tractor-trailers, including Class A trucks (like full-day cabs and sleepers with detachable trailers) and Class B trucks (such as box trucks and heavy-straight trucks). All our campuses have a CDL truck driving simulator.
Health & Vision Requirements for CDLs in New England
Legally, those who drive commercial vehicles must have their CDL license. As with earning a basic driver’s license, students must also take an eye exam to earn their CDL license. These tests ensure safety on the road by examining the student’s peripheral and distance vision.
Department of Transportation (DOT) eye exams are usually taken before completing a road test and administered by certified medical examiners. The test is like other eye exams you may have done in the past, where you must read letters from a chart. Students must have 20/40 vision to be eligible for a CDL license. Those who wear glasses or contacts can wear them to take the exam.
To pass, students must also have a 70-degree field of vision. They should also be able to identify colors, like red vs. green. If a student believes they may not meet the health requirements for the DOT eye exam, some accommodations can be made. CDL medical exams are a part of a student’s CDL training with NETTTS.
CDL Training Costs in New England
The costs for CDL training can vary depending on your experience, the CDL license you are trying to achieve, and other factors. At NETTTS, students can pay for courses through payment plans. We also offer loans and financial aid to those who qualify.
We have in-house financial aid representatives who help students navigate their financial aid options, as well as the application process. They can also assist Veteran students in browsing VA benefits.
Aside from tuition, students must pay a fee for their DOT physical exam and state licensing exam. Some students may require additional endorsements, such as the hazmat and tanker endorsements, for their specific CDL license. Students should also prepare for other potential costs, like drug and alcohol testing.
How to Renew Your CDL License in New England
All licenses must be renewed eventually – the same goes for CDL licenses. CDL licenses are valid for five to eight years after they are issued, depending on your state in the New England area. Along with renewing your license, you may also have to complete annual physical exams.
Where to go for CDL Licensing Testing in New England
Students at NETTTS will have their CDL licensing exams scheduled with their local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in the New England area. Students should come to their CDL exam prepared with documentation, including a form of identification, physical and eye exam certificates, their CLP, and other state-mandated information. The CDL licensing exam comes in the form of a skills test separated into three parts, including:
- Vehicle inspection test
- Basic controls test
- Road test
Upon passing each portion of the test, students may or may not receive their CDL on the same day. Some states can issue the license right away, while others may have to mail you the documents.
Specialized State CDL Requirements in New England
Students in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island have different requirements for their CDL:
Connecticut
To receive a CDL in Connecticut, students must:
- Have a valid Connecticut driver’s license
- Apply and pass their Commercial Driver Instruction Permit (CDIP)
- Be able to provide identity documents
- Have their social security card or most recent W-2 tax form
- Obtain a valid certificate from a Certified Medical Examiner
- Complete a confirmation notice of self-certification with DMV
- Fill out the Application for Commercial Driver’s License (DMV Form R-229a)
- Take general knowledge and endorsement exams
- Pay a $10 issuance fee
Massachusetts
To obtain a CDL in Massachusetts, students must:
- Have a valid Massachusett driver’s license
- Provide proof of age, driving record, citizenship, and identification
- Present a valid physical exam certificate
- Apply for self-certification, which lets the state know what type of vehicle you will be driving
- Have not been convicted two or more times of Operating Under the Influence (OUI)
- Have a valid CLP
- Pass the required written and driving tests
Rhode Island
To earn a CDL in Rhode Island, students must:
- Provide Proof of Status as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- This can include a passport, birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certification of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Permanent Residency Card
- Bring proof of residency in Rhode Island
- Have a valid Rhode Island driver’s license for at least two years
- Obtain a CLP
- Pass the required written and driving tests
Advance Your Potential at NETTTS
New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS) is here to help students in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island obtain the training to achieve their dreams as CDL drivers. To learn more about CDL requirements and our training courses request more information today!