Profile For Vern H.

Newbie here...I asked mechanic to repair a flatbed trailer brake light that has 2 of the 8 LED bulbs not working (you can actually see the water level inside the red lens). He said they don't repair LED brake lights until they are only 50% functional because the light is still legal at 50%. I took that to mean that if 4 of 8 bulbs were working, the brake light is still legal, but that "just to be safe" they will repair the light because if one more bulb burns out and only 3 of 8 were functional, that the light would then fail an inspection.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is there a citation anywhere that says either that all the bulbs must be working, or that at some percent of failure, the the light is out of compliance?

I don't really want to argue with the inspection mechanic, but OTOH, I don't want to get a citation or put out of service for a couple of LED bulbs.

Thanks!

You’ll need to pass a DOT medical exam and get a class A CLP either before or shortly after you begin school.

Once through school you’ll be required to pass the State CDL tests in order to get your Class A license.

I should have stated in my original post that I do already have a CDL A license. What happened was that when the CDL laws were revised years ago, I was working for a trash company that had both straight trucks for collection, and tractor-trailers for long-distance transportation to disposal sites. I received my class A license at the time, IIRC, because my employer stated that I was required to operate both A and B trucks ... even though I never actually switched to tractor-trailer. I did occasionally move tractor/trailer rigs in the yard, but never out on the road.

Since I do have a current CDL A w Hazmat, do you think I would still be required by a company to actually go through the process and expense of getting another CDL A?

Also, since I just renewed my CDL A in January, I also re-upped my DOT medical card at the same time, so everything is current. Do you think they would still require me to get another medical card?

If yes, what would be the reasoning behind a company's decision to require a current CDL A with Medical card to get new ones?

Oh, and thanks for the welcome.

So I used to drive trash trucks but got tired of it. So 10 years ago I switched over to a manufacturer. That work is getting increasingly automated so now I'm thinking I'd like to go back to driving...just NOT trash trucks.

I have a current CDL with Hazmat and doubles/triples, with no restrictions. I have a current Medical Card, a clean driving and criminal record, and stable employment. I also have a current TWIC card and a current US passport. But, I haven't driven trucks in about 10 years, and I don't have any experience driving tractor/trailer ... only straight tri-axle (pusher-axle) trucks.

My family is all grown and out of the house, and my wife passed years ago, so I live alone. I'm thinking I'd like to go over-the-road with one of the large trucking companies, but I'm wondering what to expect. Since I already have all of my credentials, will they accept them and just partner me with a trainer? Or would I have to go to a training facility along with all of the other recruits?

I'm in Central Pennsylvania area.

Thanks,