Hungarian Citizen, Family In Utah, No CDL, Wanna Start A Trucking Career

Hey truckers,

I'm about to start my trucking studies, even in Europe, even in USA but first let me ask you... What's the value of the European truck driving licence in the US? Because I've heard of people, actually got pretty good trucking jobs in the US, and this is I wanna do. But still, what concerns me is getting a European licence, and then being told by a US employer to pass the CDL training to get hired, because my EU certification has no value in the US.

So I was thinking of... What if I just skip the European C1, C, C+E trucking levels and go straight to the US to get my CDL. I mean is this legally possible? The only benefit I have is my family in Utah but that's all. US law says that individuals with tourist visas are not eligible for taking driver tests. So what should I do now? Does anyone know something about CDL rules concerning to non US citizens? Do company-sponsored CDL programs allow foreigners to take the course?

SUMMARY...

1. Take the EU certificated license, and apply to US truck driver job?

1.b. Take the EU certificated license, and apply to a company-sponsored CDL program in the US?

2. Take US certificated CDL in the US, and apply to a truck driver job?

Thanks for your help

You will get better information in the general category, or by posting your questions into the search bar on top of this page. However, my understanding is that your European CDL will not transfer at all to the USA. Also, get a CDL here you would have to become a citizen or have some kind of visa that allows you to work as a truck driver. Hope that helps. Good luck.

As Scott mentioned - the FIRST THING you will have to take care of - is a VISA THAT AUTHORIZES YOU TO WORK in this country.

Next - for the most part - you will need to have a REGULAR DRIVERS LICENSE FOR ONE YEAR, before applying for a CDL.

The EU license is meaningless.

GETTING A VISA WITH WORK AUTHORIZATION IS THE FIRST STEP.

Rick

Hey guys,

Thanks for both answers. I'll share what I've found so far, so it might be helpful for other truckers. Let's see...

In the US, you can barely do anything with a tourist visa. Sure thing: you can't get a driver's licence as well. However you can get one if you're on student visa but it takes a lot of money. Probably way more then people can make in my country. So, whoever is out there on a student visa, can apply to take driving courses. You can find out more about the steps here

So if you're not working there, nor you're studying there, you can't get the driver's licence. So my next question is: is it possible to get a US driver's licence outside of the states? I'd say no, but who knows. What I'm also sure about, is that you can't use your European driver's licence for commercial purpose in the US. Therefore it seems like, even if I have a EU CDL , employers cannot hire me as a truck driver, because I'm not qualified for driving a long haul in the US. So the only possible way to do that, as it's been said above, to get a job offer first from a US employer, so they can support me in my visa process. And this where I get lost. I know that US employers are happy to hire skilled foreign truck drivers if there's no eligible US person for the job, but then, they have to support you in getting you CDL, and I think this process is called company based CDL training. And here comes another question now.

Do they really do this? I mean, I sign a 6-month, or 12-month contract and they provide me a free CDL training? Is this true? Because in this case, I've already had to be a contracted truck driver to be able to get the American CDL. What do you know about this? Please, remember that I'm not a US resident.

FMCSA regulations state that you must either be a US citizen or have a permanent residency card. You must also hold a US drivers license for a minimum of 1 year before you can apply and test for your learners permit.

I am not aware of any trucking companies that will sponsor a work visa for truck drivers because those are not always renewable. But i learn new things every day so maybe with much searching you will find what you are looking for.

Not sure you are gonna achieve what you want to do. One way is to apply for an E2 visa in your own country USA embassy (what i have) this is a business investor related visa where you create a business in the USA and you must deposit some money into that business bank account to show you are keen to do business. You are effectively self employed.

Assuming you are successful and there are absolutely no guarantee's you will be, then you move to the USA and obviously that takes whatever means you have to get there and seek a house etc.

From there you apply for a drivers license and then have that for 1 year, gotta show proof of utility bill, bank account etc. You also need to apply for a social security number at the local government facility, this is what allows you to work.

Once you have held your drivers license for a year then you can apply for the CDL through sponsorship from any of the various companies that offer this service, say CRST or CR England etc.

Your E2 visa is only valid for 5 years and at each renewal you will have to reapply and due to your original business created for the main reason to gain access to the USA not being fully serviced may mean you will not get your visa renewed. But, if you show continued employment and are benefiting the USA you may get renewed.

Of course, best way is tog et a green card through direct family, ie, parents or brother or sister

Good luck, it's a long journey for you