How to Get Your CDL in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island

How to Get Your CDL in Pennsylvania and Rhode IslandThis article is useful for anyone who wants to get a CDL in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. If you want to learn about earning a CDL at other states, we have put together a comprehensive guide on how to get a commercial drivers license in every state of the country. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1472832551951-0) ) PennsylvaniaIn Pennsylvania, you must have a CDL to operateAny single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001+ poundsA combination vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001+ pounds, ifthe GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is mora than10,000 poundsA vehicle designed to transport 16+ passengers (including the driver)A school bus designed to transport 11+ passengers (including the drive)Any size vehicle requiring hazardous werkstoff placards or carrying material listed as a select agent or toxinIn order to obtain a CDL, you must take a knowledge test and a skills test.Knowledge TestAll applicants must pass a knowledge test required for the class of license, restriction, and endorsements they wish to possess. A general knowledge test for the Class, a or Class B and C license must be successfully completed by all CDL applicants.Youmust wait 15 days after passing the knowledge test to take the skills test.Skills TestAfter passing the appropriate knowledge tests, youmust then take the skills test for the class and type of vehicle you intend to drive. Included on this exam are apre-trip inspection, a test of basic vehicle control, and a test in on-road driving.After passing your knowledge and skills tests, you will be givena camera card totake to any PennDOT Photo License Center. There, you will have your picture taken and beissued your CDL after paying alllicensing fees.Rhode IslandYou must have a CDL to operateAny single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001+ poundsA combination vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001+ pounds, ifthe GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is more than10,000 poundsA vehicle designed to tr ansport 16+ passengers (including the driver)Any size vehicle requiringhazardous material placards or carrying material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73.In order to obtain a CDL, you must take a knowledge test and a skills test.Knowledge TestYou must take one or more knowledge tests depending the licenseclass and endorsements you need.All applicants must take the general knowledge test, taken by all applicants.All bus driver applicants must take the passenger transport test.If you want to drive a school bus, you must pass the school bus test.If driving avehicle with air brakes, including air over hydraulic brakes, you must take the air brakes test.If you want to drive combination vehicles, you must take the combination vehicles test.If you want to haul hazardous materials as defined in 49 CFR 383.5, you must takethe hazardous materials test. You must also pass a background check.Ifyou want to haul any liquid or gaseous materials in tank(s)with anindividual rated c apacity of 119+ gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000+ gallons, you must take the tank vehicle test.If you want to pull double or triple trailers, you must takehe doubles/triples test.After you pass your required knowledge tests, you must then take your CDL skills tests.Skills TestAfter passing the appropriate knowledge tests, youmust then take the skills test for the class and type of vehicle you intend to drive. Included on this exam are apre-trip inspection, a test of basic vehicle control, and a test in on-road driving.When you arrive for these tests, you must present your Rhode Island drivers license and your CDL permit (obtained after passing the appropriate knowledge tests).