Hello, I currently have a CDL permit and want to get my CDL with restrictions. For my job I have a unique opportunity to be a bobcat operator but it requires me to drive a 2020 Ford F550 with a 16 foot trailer carrying various types of skid loaders to and from job sites on a daily basis. In the past there have been 2 guys to do this by getting CDL’s with air brakes and manual transmission restrictions. In those days you could get a CDL without having to do ELDT behind the wheel training, therefore the regular non restriction CDL drivers at my job could just train them to drive the F550’s with the small trailers and they could go get their restricted CDL’s. Now with this ELDT requirements I’m trying to figure out how I could sign up for an approved behind the wheel ELDT course without it being an actual Semi truck with a 53 foot trailer. It seems all schools are geared toward people getting a non restricted CDL and they wouldn’t be able to give me the behind the wheel training I need in order to take the test at the DMV.
Just to be clear my current workplace has been training me to do the exact type of driving that I need to be doing. I would just need to go to the course in order for them to submit that I have done the training and be cleared to take the dmv driving test
\*\*\*I would rather not have to take a real CDL Class A course and spend thousands of dollars and tens of hours learning to drive a Semi when I won’t be actually doing that for a living.\*\*\*
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
