CDL Class A is the most versatile commercial license you can earn. It qualifies you to drive tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, flatbeds, tankers, and more. At Mid-City, we train you on real combination vehicles so you are fully prepared for the road and the exam.
Class A allows you to operate any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the vehicle being towed is over 10,000 pounds. This includes the most in-demand trucking jobs.
To earn your CDL Class A, you must first pass three written tests at the Secretary of State: General Knowledge (30 questions), Combination Vehicles (20 questions), and Air Brakes (25 questions). Our classroom training prepares you for all three.
After getting your CLP, you move into hands-on training. You start with yard exercises — backing, parking, and maneuvering — before progressing to road driving in real Chicago traffic. We offer training on both automatic and manual transmission trucks.
Pre-Trip Inspection is a required part of your CDL exam. We teach you how to inspect every part of the truck correctly and how to explain each component to the examiner with confidence.
Class A drivers are in high demand across every industry. Long-haul, regional, local delivery, flatbed, refrigerated — your options are wide. Many companies recruit directly from our school.