Info On How To Get My CDL’s Reinstated...
Topic 28316 | Page 1
I have about 12 years of commercial driving experience ending a little over a year ago. I have to get a stress test in addition to my physical every year to keep my CDL’s current. Two years ago I was not working and had no health insurance so I was not able to pay out of pocket to have the stress test done. My CDL’s have been expired for about a year now. I have a good MVR record with the exception of one speeding ticket that was NOT 15mph over. I think it was over 5 years ago anyway.
If I have to go with a trainer for 4 to 6 weeks like when I started I will just say forget it. Does anyone have any experience with a situation like mine and if so, what steps would I need to take to get my CDL’s reinstated. Would a company be willing to help with the financial aspect of this WITHOUT requiring me to sign onto a contract? Thanx for any help or advice.
Hi, Russell and welcome to Trucking Truth ~!
Here's a link to a company that has a pretty solid refresher couse...that's been recently rehabbed this year. Schneider has one also. At minimum, you'd need a refresher course or so it seems. This should help! Best of luck, btw.
Western Express Refresher Course
ps: After reading through this ^^^^ my 'own' self, it actually sounds JUST like what you are looking for.
Anne :)
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.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
Sorry for the bad news Russell. But here it goes. Since you held the CDL and let your medical cert expire, I’m quite sure your license has been downgraded to a standard “class d” license.
A refresher course will do you no good. You’ll need to go through the whole process again. Class, driving and taking the state road test to get your license back.
Good luck.
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.
Well in that case I will probably not pursue getting my CDL’s back. Being out with my trainer for six weeks when I started was the WORST part of the whole thing and it’s something I would never do again. It’s a shame that they would require someone who clearly knows how to operate a commercial vehicle to go through the entire process again. Seems it is more about money than safety. I have come across MANY drivers that didn’t get half of the training I did and can’t even speak English on top of that. If you can’t speak English I find it hard to believe that you could read the street signs either so I doubt any of this is about safety in the end. Thanx for the replies.
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.
Regardless of how any of us feel about it if that's how a carrier and their insurance company wants things done we have 3 choices. Do as they request, Find another company that is more lenient, or don't get back to driving. I suggest you use this link to Apply For Paid CDL Training and see what each company has to offer. You may find a company willing to have you take a 40 hour refresher course at their school then take your CDL exam (if your state requires it). Some states require you to start fresh if your medical card lapses. Others have a grace period of 3 months to 1 year or more that all they require is an updated medical card to reinstate your CDL with no additional road test. Demonstrate your abilities and its POSSIBLE they'd hand you the keys to your own truck but I doubt it to be honest. With how you're hoping things work out I really don't think you'll be happy with what carriers tell you will happen.
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.
Russell have you checked with your BMV to confirm the status of your drivers license? Just because your medical has expired does not necessarly mean your CDL automatically dropped off your record. I recently changed my CDL status to one that does not require a DOT physical. I can stay in this status indefinitely. At any point in the future all I need to do is submit a physical card to the BMV to change my status back to full blown interstate.
When my father passed away at 91 years old he had not driven commercially in over 25 years but he still had a valid intrastate commercial drivers license.
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Bmv:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
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I have about 12 years of commercial driving experience ending a little over a year ago. I have to get a stress test in addition to my physical every year to keep my CDL’s current. Two years ago I was not working and had no health insurance so I was not able to pay out of pocket to have the stress test done. My CDL’s have been expired for about a year now. I have a good MVR record with the exception of one speeding ticket that was NOT 15mph over. I think it was over 5 years ago anyway.
If I have to go with a trainer for 4 to 6 weeks like when I started I will just say forget it. Does anyone have any experience with a situation like mine and if so, what steps would I need to take to get my CDL’s reinstated. Would a company be willing to help with the financial aspect of this WITHOUT requiring me to sign onto a contract? Thanx for any help or advice.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.