Having a commercial driver’s license helps open up new career possibilities that can be pretty lucrative. This includes driving semi-trucks and other large vehicles for business purposes. There are a few requirements that must be met before people can get a Commercial Drivers License in Illinois.
Age and Citizenship
The first requirement is that a person has to be at least 18 years old to even get a permit for a Commercial Drivers License in Illinois. These licenses can only be given to people who are either permanent residents or citizens of the United States. People who are citizens of Mexico or Canada need to get a commercial driver’s license from their own countries.
Regular Drivers License
It’s also necessary to hold a regular driver’s license before attempting to get a commercial version of the license. This makes sense, as nobody would want someone to be learning to drive for the first time with such a large vehicle.
Testing
As with a regular driver’s license, it’s necessary to pass a written test before getting a commercial learner’s permit, and then to pass a road test before getting the license itself. Before testing, it’s a good idea to attend some type of truck driving school to get used to driving these large vehicles, otherwise it will be difficult to pass the necessary tests. These schools vary in price and the length of the course, but are relatively affordable. In some cases, the schooling can be free if the student agrees to drive for a specific company for a set length of time after passing the test to get their commercial driver’s license.
Timing
A road test can’t be scheduled until after a person has held their commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days, and if the learner’s permit expires, it can be renewed for an additional fee, but if it has been expired for more than 5 days it will be necessary to take the written test again. The license will need to be renewed every 4 years before it expires, and any change in address must be submitted to the Secretary of State’s office within 10 days of moving. The same is true of a name change.
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