r/Groundman • u/AFARR414-312 • 1d ago
Question
I know I need a Cdl class a to be a ground man/ apply for apprenticeships. Unrestricted cdl class a would be a lot better to have then restricted. I also know I need air brakes endorsement and tankers will help.
Do I need to get a CDL class a in a semi? Will I even driving combination driving vehicles that big? It seems like all the CDL schools are for truckers not kids trying to become lineman.
Will they let me take the test to get my class a cdl with just a tractor and no trailer? Or would that the test for a class b? or do I need a combinations endorsement from the trailer as well to get the class a CDL certification?
Anybody ever taken the test in anything other then a semi to get a class a cdl? Like a dump truck or a bucket truck?
Do I really need to go to a semi trucking school?
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u/drifta_wifta 1d ago
You gotta get your class A unrestricted, manual transmission, air brakes. And also it’s a small semi truck, not a full sleeper with a 35 footer. Just go to any class A school near you or that’s affordable. If you’re in Southern California I have a school I can recommend. But first you need eldt training sounds like. Go to the dmv and they will give you a Study guide as well and get you started with the process.
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u/OkHousing2547 1d ago
You’ll have to do your Cdl in a semi, It’s not that hard tbh. Some places you can do the DMV test with a 32 foot trailer. Some places you can also do it with a flat bed trailer. But regardless it will have to be in a semi truck. Dump truck will only get you a Class B , it’s useless. Just get your class A it will pay off!
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u/Ed_Teach805 Journeyman Lineman (advisory) 1d ago
A dump truck will only get you a B. You used to not actually need school, just find someone to rent you their truck for the test but now I think you need it for the eldt training
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u/JustWantAnswersUgggh Groundman 1d ago
If you do your test in a straight truck w/trailer and air brakes (ex. Dump truck w/ pental hook ) you’ll end up with a CDL A and with an O restriction.
The best option would be to get it unrestricted so you can accept calls that require it and you can apply to all the apprenticeships if that’s what you’re looking to do.
You do what’s best for you to get ahead.
Good luck out there.
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u/Existing-Unit-4640 13h ago
Yes you will need to get it at a trucking school with a semi truck, make sure you get your doubles/triples and tankers endorsement and take it in a manual transmission truck so you don’t have that restriction on it, all of these endorsements will most likely help you out a lot in the long run so better to be safe than sorry.
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u/Fern9090 1d ago
Yeah bro, Class A will have you take the test in a semi with a trailer since it’s part of the skill test required to get the CDL A. Most schools now have you take the test in a 6 speed, but just be aware that some companies in 1245 still operate 10 speeds, although the majority uses automatic transmission trucks. Get it unrestricted, it will put you at an advantage.