Question On CDL Permit & DOT & School

I just talked with a recruiter with Driver Solutions. I told him I already have my permit in PA and he told me that it's only good in PA! So why did Prime tell me it was better to have it BEFORE I go to their school? I also have my DOT physical filed here in PA does that mean I have to do that again too? This is so frustrating! I was turned down by Prime because I was a stay at home mom for 24 years before I started working this year. Driver Solutions is the only one who said it will not be a problem. Help please?

LeAnne, welcome to the forum, and way to go on being a stay at home mom! My wife did that and I think there's nothing better you could do for your kids. You have my respect.

Hey, I think your recruiter is either new at this or just uninformed. You did the best thing by going ahead and getting your permit. Some of the states have been changing up requirements lately, but even if you run into a problem the only thing that you'll have to do is get it transferred, and wherever you go to school they will help you get that done if necessary, but seriously I don't think you're gonna even have an issue with it.

Just so you know though, when you go to an out of state school you will probably get your actual license in that state and then you will have to get it transferred into your home state once you've completed schooling. It's not that difficult, but one more added expense. Don't fret it though, because you will be earning some good income at that point.

You will be required to get another physical though. That is because anytime a commercial driver gets hired on at a new company the federal laws require that they pass the mandated physical. It's the same way for someone changing from one company to another company.

Good luck, and feel free to jump in here as often as you like. You did a very good thing by taking care of those things ahead of time - you'll see the benefit of it once you get started in school.

Yeah, different states are governed by different laws and companies set their own policies. So the right approach will depend on the state you live in, the company you're going to get your training with, and the state you'll be training in.

Prime has a system where it's better to get your permit ahead of time. Other companies will tell you not to. It just depends.

I wouldn't sweat it though. You may have to re-test out of state, you may not. But at least you already have the knowledge and can pass the tests easily enough.

The CDL Licensing program is handled individually by each state. They each set their own policies and those policies change quite a bit. And you know how the governments are - they always make everything 10 times more expensive and complex as they need to be.

Thank you for your wisdom! I'm really not to happy with this recruiter I have. He just doesn't seem like he really cares if I apply or not. So I found myself questioning what he told me. I knew I'd get better answers here than from him. That being said his lack of knowledge has me a little on edge about the school. I've read good things on the school but I'm just not certain it is for me. I've been considering calling and asking to have a different recruiter. Is that a good idea or could it cause a problem?

Thank you for your wisdom! I'm really not to happy with this recruiter I have. He just doesn't seem like he really cares if I apply or not. So I found myself questioning what he told me. I knew I'd get better answers here than from him. That being said his lack of knowledge has me a little on edge about the school. I've read good things on the school but I'm just not certain it is for me. I've been considering calling and asking to have a different recruiter. Is that a good idea or could it cause a problem?

Honestly, you should question mostly everything a recruiter says. If you're not satisfied with the recruiter then you should definitely call and ask for a different one. Don't hold yourself back. It's really an easy thing to do and they won't hate you for it. They're still desperate for drivers. In fact, we have had a driver come in here not too long ago that was in the same situation. His recruiter couldn't answer most of his questions. When he called and asked for a different recruiter the manager spoke with him and answered everything. He even apologized to him. They'll still want you, believe me.