Will I Have To Downgrade?
Topic 25717 | Page 1
It makes no sense to me that you would have to give up your CDL A license in order to go thru training, then test out and get your CDL A back. Provided you have kept your Medical Card up to date, and the license is valid. I would ask for an explanation for that logic, (or lack thereof).
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
It makes no sense to me that you would have to give up your CDL A license in order to go thru training, then test out and get your CDL A back. Provided you have kept your Medical Card up to date, and the license is valid. I would ask for an explanation for that logic, (or lack thereof).
No one said there was any logic involved.
I simply related my experience from a couple of years ago - when I was talking to a recruiter at JPT. Even had her talk with a higher up to verify. Then again - that was a couple of years ago, so things may have changed there.
What the OP needs to do, is ASK THE RECRUITER for the companies they are interested in. Like the OP, I wouldn't want to take the chance of losing my passenger endorsement in a downgrade. What happens is - if you downgrade, get a CLP in another state, test out in another state, then transfer back to your home state - you MIGHT NOT get your previous home state endorsements back.
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
Thanks Rick and TM, not giving up. I have not talked to every company sponsored training company. I would hate to lose the passenger endorsement. Got to be someone out there.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Hi everyone, some of you know I have been hanging around for quite some time. I am the guy who has valid Class A CDL but, has never used it. I graduated from truck driving school in 2009 and have never driven a T/T. I have been driving mostly buses and vans for almost 10 years. Will I have to downgrade my license to be able to go through company training? I can't get a straight answer out of recruiters at company sponsored programs. I was reading what Rick S. posted on another post about Jim Palmer wanting him to downgrade to CPL. Before going into program. I have a passenger Endorsement and Haz Mat endorsement at this time. I use passenger endorsement at current position. Just not getting any straight answers about what I'll have to do. This has been holding me back. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks And the reason I did not go OTR when I graduated from truck driving school, is I had mother who became very sick while I was in school and a dad who was also in bad shape.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.