PA CDL permit

general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles are 3 tests u need to pass for a cdl in SC. im not sure about PA but I kinda think its the same in all states.

 

General knowledge, combination vehicles, and air brakes are required for CDL class A. Everything else is optional, but handy to expand your employment options.

Study study study your pre-trip! PA requires an in-person live pre-trip! Full 108 point inspection with tester (state trooper CMV enforcement division if you test through state, and some third party testers, if I remember correctly) failure on pre-trip means no road test and starting over. You have been warned. PA is one of the harder states to get a CDL in. But well worth it down the road.

 

What tests you need to take depends on what license you want and what you'll be doing with it. All states have to have the same info for each class and endorcement but it's not always broken up the same in the manual. Your states manual will tell you what you need for each class of license.

In both VA where I live now and my home state of MA for a regular Class A you would need the sections on

General Knowledge
Air Brakes
Combination Vehicles
Transporting Cargo

In some states cargo is part of General, but not here so read your states manual to verify. Also decide what endorcement you may want for when you get your license, add them now and give yourself more options. Keep in mind HAZMAT takes a while to add so if you want it, don't waste time.

 

Unless they changed it from a few years back...your general knowledge and combination vehicle test are combined. When I took it, it was a 70 question test. All the other endorsement tests are optional. Although, as someone said, if your getting a Class A..you need the air brake endorsement test. You don't (unless they changed it) have to take all the tests at once. I took general knowledge and air brake 1 day. Then went back and did HAZMAT another day. Then finished on another day with doubles/triples.

My advice...get the manual at a Drivers License Center and read it from cover to cover. It's a long read but it is necessary to understand the material. Then decide which tests you want to take, and reread that section. Then go and take your tests. You'll be fine.