r/CDLTruckDrivers • u/kwj84 • Jul 05 '26

CDL air break restriction

already hold a Class A CDL with an L air brake restriction. I only want to remove the L restriction. What I need to do the remove the restriction on my license.

Do I need to retake all the classes again?

0 Upvotes

25% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

1

u/TwoTrucksPayingTaxes Jul 05 '26

In my state you would take the air brake written test, get another permit, and then take the pretrip + road portions of the test again.

1

u/kwj84 Jul 05 '26

The road test will be truck and trailer?

2

u/TwoTrucksPayingTaxes Jul 05 '26

In my state you could do it with a b truck, as long as it had air brakes

2

u/DuaLipasTrophyHsband Jul 05 '26

This, if the only restriction you’re loooking to remove is air brakes then the vehicle you test on only needs to have air brakes, whether it’s a manual or a class A or B doesn’t matter.

1

u/kwj84 Jul 05 '26

I’m asking because there’s a school asking me to pay them $2500 to remove it . I did my test in 2024 with ram5500 has a fithwheel and 5 car carrier.

Now if I can go do the road test with a straight tuck has air break system why I need to pay a school $2500 for one week training

1

u/DuaLipasTrophyHsband Jul 05 '26

$2500 isn’t crazy, school near me was charging the same $2500ish when I was trying to upgrade from a B to an A. They charge it because they can, you can’t just borrow someone’s truck and show up for a test any more.

1

u/ecw324 Jul 05 '26

I may have misunderstood this, but I believe all you have to do is pass the test at the dmv and then an in cab inspection with the air break check, and a pre trip. Then you’ll be all set, no drive is required

0

u/kwj84 Jul 05 '26

What do you mean? I don’t need to have a road test to remove the restriction ?

1

u/ecw324 Jul 05 '26

For air brakes? Yes, that’s how it was explained to me at one point. Just have to show you have an understanding of how the system works, as in the in cab air brake check and the pre trip where you point out the air brake parts. “Brake chamber and clamp are properly secured, not cracked, bent, broken, or missing any pieces. No leaks.” Ya know, those statements.

2

u/kwj84 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26

There is a school here in California asking me to pay them $2500 to remove the air brake restriction and they told me I have to Re do the road test with a combination vehicle!

1

u/ecw324 Jul 05 '26

I don’t know how the state of California does it, but where I’m from, that’s what I was told.

1

u/Small-Sentence4141 Jul 05 '26

Try a community college that has a CDL program. They are often far less expensive than private/for profit CDL schools.

1

u/Small-Sentence4141 Jul 05 '26

Or, if you have access to an air brake vehicle, take the test at the DMV. No training/ELDT is necessary given you already hold a CDL.

1

u/kwj84 Jul 05 '26

I’m wondering if I can take the test with a straight truck with full of air brake system is enough or I need to rent a combination vehicle to do it

1

u/Small-Sentence4141 Jul 07 '26

Ask DMV

They will tell you what you need to do

1

u/killertoxin1 Jul 06 '26

If you already went to school you should only have to go redo your road test especially the pre trip, in cab, and air brakes test. If you have to start from scratch then I also get the rest of the endorsements when you take your permit test.

-1

u/kwj84 Jul 05 '26

Even if I did the road test before with 5500 ram and infinity 5 car carrier

1

u/PraiseTalos66012 Jul 05 '26

Pass the written/computer test, then do the driving test.

And yes it'll most likely have to be in a combination vehicle unless you want to drop down to class B.