Earning Your CDL in PA

How to Get Your CDL in PA

For anyone looking to enter the commercial transportation industry, earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a crucial first step in starting your career. By attending a CDL course like Shelly Truck Driving School, you can gain valuable experience

What is a CDL?

A commercial driver’s license is a type of driver’s license issued by a state that allows the holder to drive larger commercial vehicles. This includes commercial trucks, tankers, tractor trailers, buses, and passenger vehicles.

In Pennsylvania, drivers can earn a Class A or Class B driver’s license. A driver holding a Class A CDL can drive vehicles 26,001 lbs. or greater, or a vehicle towing a trailer weighing more than 10,000 lbs. Class B & C commercial licenses allow for drivers to operate lighter vehicles and transport passengers, including school buses and vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers. Students who graduate from Shelly Truck Driving School earn a Class A CDL license.

CDL Endorsements

CDL endorsements specific what types of commercial motor vehicles the license holder can operate. This includes the size of the vehicle and the type of material being transported.

Our students can also earn several endorsements to their CDL, specifically N (tank vehicles), T (double trailers), and H (hazardous materials). These endorsements allow students the ability to drive a larger number of vehicles, which improves their ability to be hired and future job prospects.

Currently, we do not offer classes for students looking for P or S endorsement to become a bus driver.

How to Earn a CDL in Pennsylvania

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, earning a CDL is not unlike earning your regular driver’s license. There is a written test, permit, and skills/road test to earn your commercial driver’s license.

Written Test

The first step towards earning a CDL is passing a written knowledge test. Based on the PennDOT CDL driver’s manual, the Class A test contains 95 questions, which include general knowledge, air brakes, and combination tests. The topics contained in the written test are covered in our classroom instruction.

Permit

Once you pass your written test, you will receive a commercial learner’s permit (CLP). This allows you to practice your driving skills on public roads with one of our CDL instructors. The CDL permit is valid for up to 1 year.

Skills Test

The final step in earning your CDL is to take a driving skills test. You are evaluated on your ability to handle a commercial truck in the following areas:

As a PennDOT-approved testing site, students at Shelly Truck Driving School take their CDL examination (including their CDL road test) for free and on roadways they have practiced on.

 

Register for CDL Class in York, PA

To take the first step in earning your Commercial Driver’s License, apply to Shelly Truck Driving School. Our CDL training program will help you learn how to drive a commercial vehicle, pass your CDL test, and get started in the transportation industry.

Testimonials

Emily Sensenich (Google Review)

I just passed my CDL road test last week and I couldn’t have done it without Shelley Truck Driving School. All the instructors are super informative and respectful. This school doesn’t even compare to any of the other truck driving school that I looked into. Awesome job guys!

Jim Rowe (Google Review)

Attending this school put me on a path to better my life and allows me to go anywhere and find employment. The instructors at this school are TOP notch and I learned valuable things from everyone of them! I highly recommend this school to anyone thinking of getting their CDL.

Amazing what they do in less than 30 days!

Shawn Burkey (Google Review)

I graduated today and this has been hands down the best experience I’ve had at a school. The instructor’s are top notch and will get you where you need to be! Thank you to everyone at the school for the knowledge and experience. You got the one snowman I’m eastbound and down!

Adam Dudas (Google Review)

The instructors really make this class and school. From the class room to driving to the skills, it has been a very fun learning environment for the past 4 weeks. I ALMOST FORGOT I WAS IN SCHOOL! In my opinion no other school should be considered.

Brian Eckert (Google Review)

This is an amazing school, with top notch instructors. During my time there, I learned from all of the instructors and they each had different things to teach and add to the training. This school not only gets you prepared for the CDL test, but also teaches skills that give you a head start once you are out and working. The patience of these instructors is top tier.

Shel Gray (Google Review)

Shelly was a Great experience for someone like me who was changing careers. They provide a relaxed but focused atmosphere where anyone can learn the necessary skills and knowledge to obtain a CDL. You really get the feel that the instructors care about your well-being and goal for getting a CDL. I would recommend this school to anyone looking into getting their CDL.