Comments By Phil C.

Is there something keeping him from getting his CDL? The written tests are a walk in the park with the help of the High Road on this site. He obviously has the skills to drive. He just needs to pass the Driving, Backing and Pre-Trip at the DMV and he is good to go. If he gets busted for driving without a CDL, it could cause some real problems for him, as well as some real difficulty in obtaining his CDL after the fact. Just my$.02

He would have to take said tests in a vehicle which requires a cdl, which he doesn't have.

Phil

So if his trailers GVWR is at 10k and he is using a non CDL straight truck he is fine? but if its at 14k he needs a CDL? Is it true that he needs one if he starts hauling for profit for other people with the same setup?

Hauling for profit or not has nothing to do with it. Its all about the gvwr of the truck and trailer as the persian conversion defined it.

Phil

Hey Drivers n future Drivers

I got my Approval letter from the TSA for my hazmat, was just curious if anyone new how long it is valid for? I thought was 180 days from the date, but I can't find the page to confirm.

I noticed that TMC requires Hazmat, passport and twic 30 days after employment, wanna get these taken care of before I continue on with them.

Thanks

David

Your TSA threat assessment is good for 5 years. Your DMV can access it without the letter through their state portal, but you may need the actual letter for the first time. You can obtain a new letter at any time as long as your threat assessment is current. So there is no time limit on the letter just the time limit on the threat assessment itself.

Phil

Reading comprehension is your friend. " But I've only had 1 34 hour reset in 3 months that was not at home." In other words, all his resets have been at home except for one. Not he has only ever had one reset.

Phil

On smaller trucks with trailers with electric brakes there is a brake controller located in the cab, usually under the left side of the dash, there is a sliding control that you would use to manually engage just the trailer brakes. There is also a dial to set the amount of brakes on the trailer for loaded vs empty. There is also a safety device that is like a cable that will lock the trailer brakes. When you do the tug test it is testing the spring brakes on an air brake system when the system is depleted of air, in your case the tractor. To tug test an electric brake trailer you would need to either set the dial high and manually engage the trailer brakes with the slider then tug, OR, pull the safety cable then get in the cab and tug. Im guessing here because I have only driven large gooseneck trailers pulled by a pickup that had electric brakes on the trailer. So take it for what you will.

Phil

It may have changed but I had to prove residency in New Mexico to get mine, whereas a year later Arizona didn't even ask. Now in Missouri I had to prove residency again. So it may vary state to state, but I think you have to have to have your CDL in the state you're living in and you have 30 days to obtain a new one in a new state you move to.

Phil

If you haul ANY amount of a flammable liquid, like gasoline, on a CMV, you are subject to Hazmat rules. It must be in a DOT approved can not more than 8 gallons, those cans are pricey too. Just be aware if you have a little plastic gas can on a CMV, you could be in trouble if they really wanted to push it, the fines are quite steep.

Phil

You will most likely need 3-7 years accident free depending on the company. Two accidents and two tickets in the same year is a big red flag.

Phil

Aslo here: "(3) A holder of a CLP or CDL is subject to disqualification sanctions designated in paragraphs (b)" So when it says "holder" that is one who already has a cdl. If it were relevant to the OP's case it would say "applicant", and not "holder".

Phil

The disqualifications listed in the link above are relevant only to drivers who have a cdl already. If you have never had a cdl you can get one with 3 dui's. However it will be tough to get a job especially OTR, but it is not impossible This is the relevant text: "any combination of offenses in this Table while operating a non-CMV, a CLP or CDL holder must be disqualified from operating a CMV for * * *" So if you use your best reading comprehension it is talking about someone who already has a cdl or clp, not someone who is trying to get their first CDL. The person who said go to your DMV is correct.

Phil