European Truck Driver (German) Driving In The US?

Hello people.

This might have been asked before, but i havent been able to find anything about it, so here goes. Ever since i started trucking, around 2-3 years ago, i've been wanting to try, the American way of Trucking. My sitiuation? i can't find anything any where, on the requirements on drivers liecens or any rules, regarding. I allready have a CDL (CE as it's called here in the EU) And i've have had it the past 2-3 years, plus i've been driving the past 2. My normal drivers licens for car (our B as it's called here) ive had for allmost 10 years, both with a clean history. No damagde, no DUI , no accidents and so on. My drivers liecens is German, allso categorized as International Liecens, and i allso have a "EU allowens" as it's called here, wich Basically just allows me to transport goods thats no mine so to say. Could i actually just get over there, with visa, job and so on in order and start driving?

Thanks ahead people, have a nice one :)

Hello people.

This might have been asked before, but i havent been able to find anything about it, so here goes. Ever since i started trucking, around 2-3 years ago, i've been wanting to try, the American way of Trucking. My sitiuation? i can't find anything any where, on the requirements on drivers liecens or any rules, regarding. I allready have a CDL (CE as it's called here in the EU) And i've have had it the past 2-3 years, plus i've been driving the past 2. My normal drivers licens for car (our B as it's called here) ive had for allmost 10 years, both with a clean history. No damagde, no DUI , no accidents and so on. My drivers liecens is German, allso categorized as International Liecens, and i allso have a "EU allowens" as it's called here, wich Basically just allows me to transport goods thats no mine so to say. Could i actually just get over there, with visa, job and so on in order and start driving?

Thanks ahead people, have a nice one :)

And the short answer is NO. Please go to the FMCSA website.. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Like the previous poster - short answer - no.

You need to be licensed for regular operator (car) in the U.S. for a year, before applying for a CDL.

You must also (obviously) have a visa that allows for work - typically a "green card".

So the visa with work authorization has to come first. Then coming over, get a regular drivers license, stay here for a year before applying for a CDL.

Rick

Thanks for the answers.

What just bothers me is, that on my driversliecens it, states that its an International drivers licens, not only european licens, and that we are actually taught here in the EU, that out licens, can be use everywhere in the world!? Well well, anyhow, it is what it is :) And yet again, i thank for the answers.

Kind regards

Thanks for the answers.

What just bothers me is, that on my driversliecens it, states that its an International drivers licens, not only european licens, and that we are actually taught here in the EU, that out licens, can be use everywhere in the world!? Well well, anyhow, it is what it is :) And yet again, i thank for the answers.

Kind regards

I didn't know there is something called international license. You can get international permit and use it with your state issued license while traveling. But it is only for personal vehicles and rental cars. I never heard anything about international commercial license or permit.

Thanks for the answers.

What just bothers me is, that on my driversliecens it, states that its an International drivers licens, not only european licens, and that we are actually taught here in the EU, that out licens, can be use everywhere in the world!? Well well, anyhow, it is what it is :) And yet again, i thank for the answers.

Kind regards

I didn't know there is something called international license. You can get international permit and use it with your state issued license while traveling. But it is only for personal vehicles and rental cars. I never heard anything about international commercial license or permit.

International, in his case - may apply to drivers that are license for EU - and need to travel in non-EU signatory countries.

Rick

Yes I found out we can get international drivers licenses here as well....But why bother? if you visit other countries, our licenses from here should normally be "honored"

Guy at my local gas station is Indian, he told me there's a place here in town, to get the International Lic' lol

Thanks for the answers.

What just bothers me is, that on my driversliecens it, states that its an International drivers licens, not only european licens, and that we are actually taught here in the EU, that out licens, can be use everywhere in the world!? Well well, anyhow, it is what it is :) And yet again, i thank for the answers.

Kind regards

I didn't know there is something called international license. You can get international permit and use it with your state issued license while traveling. But it is only for personal vehicles and rental cars. I never heard anything about international commercial license or permit.

International, in his case - may apply to drivers that are license for EU - and need to travel in non-EU signatory countries.

Rick

Exatly, But as we are taught, it should be valid International, so everywhere, but then again, ill call the embassy tomorrow, to get clarification on this matter once and for all, since im allways finding different answers everywhere, hehe :P Anyhow, here in Germany we also have a National drivers licens, wich means you are only allowed to drive inside Germany. But i will definetly let ya all know tomorrow, when i know more. Also have other questions to the embassy, since me and my wife are considering moving to the US :)

Yes I found out we can get international drivers licenses here as well....But why bother? if you visit other countries, our licenses from here should normally be "honored"

Guy at my local gas station is Indian, he told me there's a place here in town, to get the International Lic' lol

International drivers licenses are typical car operator. And in the case of US - we go to AAA and get a card in multiple languages that tell foreign police that we are licensed in our home country (you have to present your valid US drivers license). I got pulled over once in Costa Rica and handed him the card, and it didn't seem to matter. Drivers licenses from most countries in the americas are honored everywhere.

US, Mexico and Canada have reciprocity agreements regarding COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSES, that allow their drivers to operate in all 3 countries - bound of course, by the traffic/CMV laws in the country they are operating in.

US CDL's are not reciprocal anywhere other than Canada/Mexico. CDL's from other countries in S/Central Americas are governed by reciprocity agreements between the individual countries.

EU probably operates the same way. It would sense the the open trade zones would honor reciprocity for commercial licenses.

People licensed in other countries that move to the US, can "convert" their car licenses to the same class of US license. Requirements (testing) vary by state. NO STATE will convert a CDL from a foreign country to a US CDL - due to residency and US licensing/experience requirements.

Rick

Like the previous poster - short answer - no.

You need to be licensed for regular operator (car) in the U.S. for a year, before applying for a CDL.

You must also (obviously) have a visa that allows for work - typically a "green card".

So the visa with work authorization has to come first. Then coming over, get a regular drivers license, stay here for a year before applying for a CDL.

Rick