What is a Commercial Learner’s Permit?


A commercial learner’s permit, often known as a CLP licence, is a license that, similar to a conventional driver’s licence, allows you to operate a commercial vehicle on public roads in the presence of a certified CDL holder. Like getting a regular driving permit, getting a CDL learner’s permit entails passing a knowledge exam, but it is not the only requirement. To get a DOT medical card, you must also schedule a DOP physical, have a clean driving record for the last ten years, and provide identification showing your name and address.

What Are the Minimum Requirements?

The minimal criteria for obtaining a business learner’s permit are, for the most part, reasonably identical to those for getting a non-commercial driver’s permit. So you should be fine meeting the following basic standards if you have previously gone through that procedure and obtained a non-commercial driver’s licence.

  • Age minimum of 18 years.
  • Have a non-commercial driver’s licence.
  • Possess documentation proving your citizenship or legal presence. This might be accomplished by presenting a birth certificate, a current passport, or authorised employment paperwork from homeland security (which could include a green card).
  • Have practical English communication skills.
  • Pass all background checks necessary.

How Do I Get a DOT Medical Certification, and What Is It?

Commercial drivers who show they are physically, psychologically, and emotionally prepared to work in a commercial driving capacity are awarded the Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certification. This must be done via a DOT-approved medical practitioner. If you are dealing with a recruiter or firm, they will set up a DOT physical for you to begin the certification process. If not, proceed as described below.

  1. To make an appointment, get in touch with a licenced physician.
  2. By passing the DOT physical test, you may show that you are mentally, emotionally, and physically competent to handle the responsibilities of a commercial driver.
  3. The DMV should get your DOT medical card.
  4. Please attend to the renewal rules (in most cases, DOT medical cards are renewed every 24 months).

How to Succeed on the Exam for a Commercial Learner’s Permit?

Like other tests, passing this one often depends on ensuring you are learning the proper material. Even if you are an authority on a particular topic, you will only benefit if the test covers the subject. Following are some general tips for passing the test for a business learner’s permit.

  • The parts on general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles, and tanker endorsement should all be studied in-depth.
  • Use the study aids and practice exams available online. These will teach you the kind of questions to anticipate and provide you with some test-taking best practice techniques. You may obtain guidelines and practice exams at the following websites: Uniontestprep.com, Test-guide.com, and Driving-tests.org.
  • Drivers may utilise several applications to prepare for the written permit test, such as CDL Prep and DMV Genie. Therefore, investigating the available applications could be helpful if you seek practical methods to learn while on the move.

It is time to start acting on the advice given now that you better understand business learners’ permits and how to get them. You will be much closer to learning all you need to achieve your CDL after you get your learner’s permit. Consider enrolling in Truck Driver Academy if you are beginning your journey towards a job in the trucking sector. We take pride in our tried-and-true teaching methods and are among the best trucking schools in California.

We can help you transition into a new profession in as short as four weeks by providing written exam assistance, on-the-road training, and job placement. Give us a call to begin right now!

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