Day Four

So, I hit the pavement today stopping by the various oil company offices in town (there's supposed to be over 150), and every oil servicing job I have come across requries a commercial driver's license (CDL).  The written portion seems like a fairly easy exam, and can be taken at the DMV here in town.  Passage of the written portion entitles you to a driving permit (sort of like a driving permit when you're 15, in that you can drive so long as a CDL holder is in the vehicle).  The road portion of the exam, also offered at the DMV, is a little more difficult.  One has to have both their own truck and, of course, be proficient in operating it.  The good thing, though, is that if you have the permit, most of the companies here are willing to higher you with the expectation that you will obtain the full license within the following six month window allowed by the DMV.  Since a lot of companies here value having the Hazmat license certification as well, it's not a bad idea to take that test along with the general CDL test (the Hazmat test is optional).  I've been studying the ND CDL manual all this afternoon, and I'll be taking the written exam first thing in the morning.