Just curious what are the main differences between the American CDL and the British HGV ? i.e. Are they both relatively equal in terms of what is required to pass the test etc ? i.e is one easier than the other ? 
The canadian one which i belive is similar to the usa one is way easier the drive is no more than a spin round the block.
The driving on the Canadian class one with air was easy, the only reversing was in a straight line but you had to be able to handle a non syncro gear box. Plus the walk around vehicle check took about 45 minutes and you had to show the examiner you could adjust the brakes if the truck or trailer did not have automatic slack adjusters. Also there was 7 or 8 computer theory tests you had to pass before the driving part. I passed my Canadian class one with air brakes endorsment back in 2008.
I got my USA CDL by completing a 15min theory test on computer then SHORT driving test in semi (artic) truck all achieved in a total of about 45mins 
(CDL licence had class: semi trucks/doubles/triple trailers/tanks and Hazmat after a 25min ātestā drive round Grafton ND) 
All done in 2002 to work temp for a USA Custom Cutter@ the grain harvest.
hi all as for Canadian /usa ye the driving bit easy if u already had uk class 1 they know u got exp but u also have a written test called the airbrake test all mechanical /brakes types.adjustments.etc know few uk drivers had to have 3 or 4 attempts as for Canadian new drivers any company wants them 2 have done 4/6 wks hgv schooling and then out with another guy maybe 4 wks 
mikermhh1959:
The driving on the Canadian class one with air was easy, the only reversing was in a straight line but you had to be able to handle a non syncro gear box. Plus the walk around vehicle check took about 45 minutes and you had to show the examiner you could adjust the brakes if the truck or trailer did not have automatic slack adjusters. Also there was 7 or 8 computer theory tests you had to pass before the driving part. I passed my Canadian class one with air brakes endorsment back in 2008.
Only one computer theory test unless you failed yours 6 or 7 times.
Of course if you have a UK HGV licence, whether its mechanical or air brakes we can drive and handle any vehicle given to us, as we are the best in the world, well most of us are anyway.
If you join a harvest Crew they may help you with the CDL.
But its differend from County to County. Some give it you for 5 Year and some just for the Periode the Temporary Visa lasts.
well as u brought it up passed highway rules /airbrake /and test all in a week .as for saying about computer you will find all provinces have different ways /but never mind ive only been here 9yrs and was just trying to help
In reply to neilg14 who implied I failed my computer theory test six or seven times. I took my theory computer tests in Saskatoon in 2008, I took seven different theory tests for seven different classes of vehicle plus the one for air brakes. I passed them all first time .
mikermhh1959:
In reply to neilg14 who implied I failed my computer theory test six or seven times. I took my theory computer tests in Saskatoon in 2008, I took seven different theory tests for seven different classes of vehicle plus the one for air brakes. I passed them all first time .
Whatās the 7 classes you took ?
You said there is 7 or 8 computer tests before you take the driving part of the test.
I took one as did every other driver I know except for the other europeans that took 2 because they couldnāt swap car licences.
In MB theres two computer tests an air brake theroy and a general theroy test then the pre trip and practical test on the driving test