Well, I recently PASSED my tests to get my CDL Class B driver's license permit with the School Bus and Passenger endorsements with Air Brakes.
Going into it, I really didn't know what to expect. I want to share my experience for others who may be looking into getting their CDL, so that they don't make the same mistakes that I did.
You will need to go to the revenue office and get a copy of the CDL Book to study and purchase the forms needed to allow you to take the test. The cost of the forms in Arkansas is $50 and it allows you three opportunities to pass all of the tests that you need for whichever license you are trying to get.
Here is a link to the CDL Study Guide :(https://static.ark.org/eeuploads/asp/2005_CDL_Driver_Manual_-July_2014_-_FINAL.pdf)
You will have exactly ONE YEAR to make those 3 attempts, plus pass the driving portion to obtain your license. If you fail to pass all the tests (including the driving part) within one year, then you have to start completely over.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND using the following link to study for the exam: https://www.cristcdl.com/arkansas/
After you study, then you will go to the Testing Center. I went to the Arkansas State Police Headquarters in Jonesboro for the Written Test and Arkansas State Police Headquarters in Newport for the Driving Test.
The first test that you will need to pass is the General Knowledge test, which is 50 questions (all multiple choice). Once you pass the General Knowledge test, then you will move on to the other tests, one at a time. The Passenger, School Bus, and Air Brakes tests were all 25 questions each.
If you make your three attempts and fail to pass all of the exams needed, then you have to pay another $50 for the forms to continue to test. For example: If you need to pass the General Knowledge, Passenger, School Bus, and Air Brakes tests for the Class B License, and you only passed 3 of the 4 tests, then you will have to purchase another test form for $50.
Once you pass the written exams, you then will take the forms back to your Revenue Office where you will take a photo and receive a CDL Permit License. You have to wait at least two weeks before you can take the Driving portion of the test.
I was blessed to have a man named, Homer Laster, who trains drivers at the Marion School District Bus Shop help me in learning what was needed to know on the Pre Trip Inspection, Air Brakes, Skills tests, and driving around in the community. For two weeks, about 3 days a week, I met with Homer at Marion and went over what the tester in Newport would be looking for when I took those tests.
The driving portion of the test at Newport consisted of Air Brake tests, inside pre trip inspection, outside pre trip inspection, skills tests, and driving around the town.
When performing the brake tests, you will test the service brake, parking brake, do an air loss test, air brake warning test, and pop out test. The book and videos describe how to perform these brake tests. You have to pass ALL of those tests.
For the Pre Trip Inspection, you want to start at the top of the bus in the front and work your way down describing what you see in as few words as possible. The book helps to know exactly what you need to look for and there are some YouTube videos that help as well. Once you do the front of the bus, you then move to the driver side and again, start at the top and work your way down. Once you get to the wheels, you will talk about the tires, rims, hub oil seals, steering system, suspension system, and brake system. Making sure everything is properly mounted, secure, no loose or missing parts, no leaks, cracks, breaks, or rust. You will then move to the back of the bus and then to the passenger side doing the same thing you did on the front and driver side.
When you get to the engine under the hood, you are looking for hoses, wires, belts, pulleys, tensioners, air filter, dipsticks, reservoirs, caps, air compressors, water pump, alternator, harmonic balancer, fan motor, radiator, power steering and any other thing you can see and again describe in as few words as possible.
Inside the bus, you are describing doors, windows, floors, seats, control buttons, switches, brake and gas pedals, emergency equipment, emergency exits, seatbelt, mirrors, fans, and anything else you can see.
For the skills test, you will be taken to a parking lot where some cones are set up for you to perform an Alley Dock test, Straight Line Backing, Offset Backing, and Parallel Parking.
After the skills test, you will be asked to drive into town to be observed by the tester in traffic situations.
Once you pass the driving test, you will then take your forms back to the Revenue Office to have your photo taken again for your Official CDL License. The cost of the license was $47, I think. I am only driving a school bus, so I only needed to get a state physical and drug test. If you are planning on driving something else besides a school bus, you might have to have a DOT physical. Check with your employer for that information.
