Earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL) enables truck drivers to operate commercial vehicles, like tractor-trailers, box trucks, or buses. To obtain a CDL, students must meet certain requirements. Each state may vary in its standards for earning a CDL, and this page explains more about training for a CDL in Connecticut.
New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS) helps students throughout Connecticut to train for their CDL. We have two campus locations, Somers and Bridgeport, CT, where students can enroll in one of our CDL training programs. Learn more about Connecticut CDL requirements.
How Much Training Is Required?
The amount of training can depend on the type of CDL license you are training for:
- Class A CDL: This type of license lets drivers operate commercial vehicles with a gross weight of 26,000 or more pounds and a towing capacity of 10,000 or more pounds.
- Class B CDL: This kind of license enables workers to use commercial vehicles with a gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds and a towing capacity of no more than 10,000 pounds.
The CDL courses at our Connecticut CDL schools involve up to 600 hours of training to complete and combine classroom training with hands-on learning. While we mainly train students on trucks with manual transmissions, we can also teach automatic transmission vehicles.
Students may seek additional training hours for a Class A or B CDL if they are looking to add CDL endorsements to drive specialized commercial vehicles, such as tanker trucks, or double-trailers, or to transport hazardous materials (hazmat). At NETTTS, students can train on our trucks with detachable trailers, either with day cabs, or over the road (OTR) Class A CDL trucks with a sleeper berth. Students use our fleet of heavy straight trucks for a Class B CDL. The team at NETTTS is here to help you evaluate options and find the right program for you.
As a part of their training, students will prepare for a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) so it is not necessary to have a CDL permit prior to starting school. Permits are valid for one year after issuing. Students do not receive their permit directly at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Instead, the permit is mailed to them after receiving a passing score.
Basic Requirements for Earning a Connecticut CDL
Drivers must be at least 18 to apply for their commercial driver’s instruction permit (CDIP) and eventually earn their CDL. However, some jobs may require that you be at least 21 years old. For example, truckers looking to drive commercial vehicles across state lines must be 21. Additionally, you must be 21 to haul loads of hazardous materials. Other restrictions may apply and can vary depending on the industry or trucking company.
Drivers must also have a current Connecticut Driver’s License. Upon applying for a CDL, you need to present a valid Social Security Card, or your most recent W-2 tax form. Social Security Cards cannot be laminated or made with metal. Non-U.S. citizens must still provide proof of legal status. In this case, they can present:
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Naturalization Certification
- Permanent Resident Card
- Immigrant Visa (if it is machine-readable)
- Employment Authorization Card
Health and Vision Requirements
Truck drivers must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical health examination before earning their CDL, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines. Physical examinations must be completed by FMCSA-certified medical examiners. Students need to take their physical exam within two years of their application date. DOT physicals are offered on-site at each of our NETTTS campuses to help make it simpler for students to obtain their medical card.
To prepare for your physical, you should have a list of your current medications, dosages, and the prescribing doctor’s name and address. You will also complete paperwork about your health history, which can be filled out before arriving for your appointment.
Those with certain physical disabilities may need to bring additional resources or paperwork. For example, if you have vision or hearing issues, you should have your contacts, glasses, or hearing aids. If you have diabetes or a heart condition, you must bring paperwork from your doctor that gives recent test results and approval to work.
The DOT physical examination is split into multiple parts, including:
- Vision: Truck drivers must have 20/40 vision in each eye with or without corrective lenses.
- Hearing: Drivers need to hear what is called a “forced whisper” from at least five feet away, meaning they cannot have a hearing loss of less than 40 dB in their better ear.
- Urinalysis: A urinalysis looks for underlying health conditions and more.
The last part of the DOT exam consists of looking at the rest of the body, including:
- Neurological symptoms
- General body appearance
- Spine
- Eyes
- Arms and legs
- Ears
- Pulse
- Heart
- Abdomen
- Mouth and throat
Legal Requirements
Before earning a CDL license, truckers must confirm self-certification. This is a part of new Federal regulations for CDL truck drivers. For self-certification, you must notify DMV of the type of truck you wish to operate. In Connecticut, students can complete self-certification online through the DMV online self-certification system.
After completing the form, students are able to print out the email confirmation and bring it to the DMV when applying for their CDL. There are two driving types for self-certification, including:
- Non-excepted interstate (NI): This allows drivers over 21 years old to operate commercial vehicles in Connecticut and other states.
- Non-excepted intrastate (NA): This enables truckers under 21 years old to drive commercial vehicles only within Connecticut state lines.
Taking the CDL Test
Upon completion of their training, students must apply for and take the CDL test through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These tests can be arranged by the training department once the student feels ready for their CDL exam. Before taking the test, students must fill out the Application for Commercial Driver’s License.
The CDL licensing exam is taken in different parts. The exam begins with taking the written General Knowledge portion of the test. Upon successful completion, students are then tested on their inspection procedures (air brakes test, pre-trip, etc.) before moving on to the on-road driving portion. NETTTS acts as the sponsor for our students, which means using our trucks and equipment for the test. Students living in Connecticut may have the option to take their CDL test on-site at our campus location.
Drivers in Connecticut must renew their CDL every four years. The DMV will automatically mail the necessary paperwork when it comes time to renew.
Start CDL Training at NETTTS
Our CDL training programs help to teach students to operate commercial vehicles safely on the road. We do this through hands-on training, where students can practice their skills on our fleet of trucks and tractor-trailers.
All New England Tractor Trailer Training School locations in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts also feature unique CDL driving simulators, which help teach shifting, and other common driving conditions and situations truck drivers may face on the road. This gives students a realistic learning experience, allowing them to apply what they learn in the classroom.
Students are taught by our instructors, who all have several years of CDL driving experience. We also offer financial aid for those who qualify. Our assistance extends beyond your time at New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS). Career services can help students build resumes, freshen up interview skills, and help evaluate potential job opportunities. To learn more about training for a Connecticut CDL, contact us or request more information today. If you have questions, call 800-333-2888.