Class A Downgrade
Topic 31433 | Page 1
Are you trying to voluntarily downgrade back to a basic (car) license or is it because of not having a medical card?
If it's due to no medical card, luckily for you the state of Wisconsin just requires you to upload a new, current medical card with no further testing if you choose to drive again in the future.
The Department will “downgrade” the CDL of any commercial driver who: 1) Self-certifies himself or herself as a Tier 1 driver and does not provide a valid FedMed Card; or 2) Is a Tier 1 driver whose FedMed Card is expired, or is removed or rescinded by FMCSA. Federalregulations require downgrading for these reasons. The Department will “downgrade” the CDL by removing the CDL privilege from the holder’s driver’s license, and the driver cannot drive commercial motor vehicles again until he or she certifies a tier of driving other than Tier 1, or submits a valid FedMed Card or medical variance. The driver may reinstate the CDL privilege without additional testing by correcting the cause for the downgrade.
is straight from a legislative document from the state of Wisconsin.
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.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Thanks, Rob
I still have a valid fed med card and class A license. I need to take several months off to deal with my newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and knee joint issues. Then I plan to drive again. Just don’t want to violate any license regulations
Technically your med card is probably no longer valid. From what you have said about your sugar levels you likely are over the limits that the ME would accept. Just because your card has an expiration date does you are immune from changes in you health before then.
Now I don't think there is a process to let your state BMV know about your current situation but in trucking trying to hide or omit negative news rarely ends well. Personally I would not drive again without a getting new physical and updating the ME with your situation.
Thanks, Rob
I still have a valid fed med card and class A license. I need to take several months off to deal with my newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and knee joint issues. Then I plan to drive again. Just don’t want to violate any license regulations
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.
There is no need to downgrade your license. Simply submit a new self-certification form to a catagory (EI or EA) that doesn't require a med card. This will in effect put your CDL on hold until you get your issues cleared up and decide to drive again. Then it would just be a matter of changing your self certification again along a new physical and you are back in business.
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.
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.
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I’m off driving for medical reasons. I’m not on medical leave because I’m not going to drive again for my original company. If and when I drive again I will go with a different company.
What are the rules for having to downgrade to class B? Time frame?