Get a CDL License in Illinois

Get a CDL License in Illinois

Get a CDL License in Illinois : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.

A CDL, or commercial driver’s license, is issued by the United States to anyone driving a vehicle with a gross weight of 26,000 lbs. or more for commercial use. This includes trucks, trailers, and buses that can carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver. If you want to apply for a job where you will drive a truck or similar vehicle, you will need to acquire a commercial driver’s license in addition to your regular driver’s license. You can apply for a CDL at the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Facility, which is the issuing authority. Acquiring a CDL is more difficult than getting a regular driver’s license. You need specific knowledge and training on the commercial vehicle you will drive. Keep your wallet handy—there are fees to pay when getting a CDL.

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a CDL. If you are 18, you can only drive a commercial vehicle within the state where the license was issued. For interstate travel, you must be at least 21 years old.
• It is advisable to look for a job first before applying for a CDL because the DMV will not provide the type of commercial vehicle you will use for the test drive.
• Before taking the written and actual tests, you should first read the Illinois Commercial Driver’s License Study Guide. This manual will give you pointers on how to pass the written exam. For the road test, you need training on the vehicle you will drive. You can enroll in a commercial driving school for this.
• Pay the necessary fees. You will pay $60 if you are getting a brand new CDL and do not have a driver’s license; $50 if you hold a regular driver’s license; $20 for a school bus CDL; and $5 for any additional endorsement.
• You will take the written exam first. If you pass, you will then demonstrate your actual driving skills. You must schedule your road test and provide the vehicle. If you already have a job, they will provide the vehicle. There are three aspects of the road test: a pre-trip vehicle inspection, a skills test where you show the examiner the controls, and the actual driving test.
• A medical certificate is required for a commercial driver to determine if you are healthy enough to handle such a vehicle. Have yourself checked at a clinic and forward the certificate to the one processing your license. If you pass everything, including the medical examination, you will be issued a CDL.

Have your medical certificate with you at all times in case of inspection. It is also advisable to continue improving your driving skills even after being issued a CDL. Take safety precautions every time you drive the vehicle. Note the renewal date of your CDL and renew it on time so you can continue driving a commercial vehicle.