I think that my renewal is $65 for a 7 year license. I have Doubles/Triples, Tanker and Passenger. I used to have the Hazmat but since I wasn't driving for a living at the time of my last renewal, I said screw the $100 for it. Hell, I have a Secret Security Clearance from the Dept. of Defense, but I have to pay for a background check for the DOT?????
If a person wants to get their CDL, first get your permit by passing the written test. Go here
http://www.cristcdl.com/otc/ for some good practice tests. For the driving portion, you can rent a truck and most places will deliver it to the testing site for the test. You'd better be able to do straight, angle and 90 degree backing. Also, KNOW YOUR PRE TRIP INSPECTION!!! Those were the biggies when I took my test in Oklahoma...
As far as getting a OTR driving job, due to insurance requirements, most companies require 4 months of recent, verifiable driving experience within the past 12 months before they will even talk to you. If you don't have that you will either have to go to a school or take a refresher at a school, then they will send you out with one of their trainers for 4 or 5 weeks running as a team before they will allow you to go solo.