An Important Question For ALL The Drivers

First of all I'm new on this forum. So Hello to everyone.

Just got my permit and still in school working towards my CDL

I have a rather strange question, but a straight and true answer would be really appreciated.

What happens if you are not a citizen of U.S. and have a pending green card in the process and you start driving the truck?

When you get pulled over for whatever reason, can they ask you for your green card instead of just drivers license?

I know a few drivers from my previous job who were not even legal and they were still driving.

Anyways, I should have my green card in a few months but I don't want to sit at home spending my wife's money.

Btw, I have already joined a company and will be driving tanker with hazmat if that makes any difference.

Thank you.

When you get pulled over for whatever reason, can they ask you for your green card instead of just drivers license?

Absolutely not.

Listen, the trucking industry is dead serious about enforcing rules and regulations. You will ruin your career in a heartbeat doing something like that. If you get pulled over in a big rig without a CDL you're going straight to jail from the side of the road, no questions asked. And good luck ever being granted the privilege to drive a commercial vehicle after that. Even if you could legally get your driver's license and your CDL after that the charges will be on your record and for years and you'll find it next to impossible to land a job in trucking.

Don't be short-sighted and do something stupid to ruin your career before it ever gets started. Make sure you do everything legally or you'll regret it I promise you. This isn't the Wild West and it isn't some third world country. The enforcement in trucking has never been more thorough or more serious than it is today. You can try beating the system but you're going to lose in the end. It's not worth it.

I think what he is asking Brett is does he need his green card before he can drive. CDL license is a definite must have, I do not know the answer to if you need your green card & can they ask you for it.

I am thinking that is one question that needs to be ask at the company you are applying to or maybe the DMV office where you get your license.

When you find out, please let us know here on TruckingTruth for future reference.

Ernie

Interesting problem. Sometimes the answer is not straight forward. I am not 100% sure but he may bee eligible for a work visa if a company will sponsor him. I do know they have changed some of the eligiblity requirements for immigrates and it's easier to obtain a drivers license. I do not know if it pertains to a CDL. Since he is living in the states and is married to an American citizen there might be away to go forward. First I would contact your dmv in your state and see if you are eligible with your status. You must also have a standard operators license for 1 year before you can get your CDL in most states. Good luck

Oh NO I wouldn't touch a rig without getting my CDL !!!

My only concern was the green card not being processed yet and I think I have all the requirements except for the green card. My case is expedited as well as my wife contacted the senator here in Chicago.

Can a state cop ask you to show a proof of citizenship within the United states?

Since you guys are driving for years and might have heard or seen it happen IF it happens ? Do you guys drive around with your passport and such ?

And yes I will definitely update it on Here for future reference, if I find anything else.

Thank you everyone.

Local police or DOT should only stop you if they have probable cause for something.

They can ask for your green card all they want. However, you have the RIGHT to politely decline their request. Your immigration status is none of their business. They are not immigration officers.

If they ask you for your driver's license you may give it to them. Your driver's license must be valid in whatever country you hail froM.

You have the right to be silent. Let them know that you are exercising that right If you chose. You have the right to ask them why you are being detained. You have the right to ask them if you are free to go.

Find out what your rights are for your county, local police, and find someplace where you can be educated about your Bill of Rights.

I am a former 911 dispatcher. My husband is an immigrant and we have two sons in their twenties. We all took a course about our Bill of Rights. We also found out what our rights are in reference to the county and local law enforcement. We role played different scenarios about encounters with law enforcement.

Welcome to the USA!

Local police or DOT should only stop you if they have probable cause for something.

They can ask for your green card all they want. However, you have the RIGHT to politely decline their request. Your immigration status is none of their business. They are not immigration officers.

If they ask you for your driver's license you may give it to them. Your driver's license must be valid in whatever country you hail froM.

You have the right to be silent. Let them know that you are exercising that right If you chose. You have the right to ask them why you are being detained. You have the right to ask them if you are free to go.

Find out what your rights are for your county, local police, and find someplace where you can be educated about your Bill of Rights.

I am a former 911 dispatcher. My husband is an immigrant and we have two sons in their twenties. We all took a course about our Bill of Rights. We also found out what our rights are in reference to the county and local law enforcement. We role played different scenarios about encounters with law enforcement.

Welcome to the USA!

Erm, there's the law, and then there's the practicality of being detained. A commercial truck rolling down the highway is a pile of probable cause to an officers. The sheer volume of regulations that are required to be adhered to by law for a CDL holder is amazing. One light out is sufficient for the officer to pull you over and ask for relevant identifying paperwork.

Now to obtain a CDL, you must supply a birth certificate or green card. (Either are acceptable)

A green card isn't the only way to have permission to work in the US. You can (while in the application process) request to work for a period of 180 days while you're being considered. Or obtain an H-1 or L-1 visa. An employer is going to need one of those items documented before they hire you.

So my unlawyerly advice would be to NOT work in the US unless you have a Green Card, H-1, or L-1 Visa or have requested an EAC (while waiting for your green card approval), if you are a non-resident.

Thank you for all your interesting answers guys

It is what it is and i am not going to waste my time sitting at home waiting for the Green Card to arrive. I spoke to my immigrations lawyer and he said i should not have any problem working. So taking him advise and hoping for the best. I have my DOT medical card already along with my permit Class A license., Just waiting for getting my finger printing to be done and over with and since i have nothing on my record i should clear that as well.

I am currently going to school through Schneider and i told them i would not go out of the STATES and they are okay with it. So hopefully i will be ok until the whole thing is taken care off.

Hope to see you guys on the road some day :)

Thank you

Local police or DOT should only stop you if they have probable cause for something.

They can ask for your green card all they want. However, you have the RIGHT to politely decline their request. Your immigration status is none of their business. They are not immigration officers.

Erm, there's the law, and then there's the practicality of being detained. A commercial truck rolling down the highway is a pile of probable cause to an officers. The sheer volume of regulations that are required to be adhered to by law for a CDL holder is amazing. One light out is sufficient for the officer to pull you over and ask for relevant identifying paperwork.

Erm, the OP specifically asked the following question;

When you get pulled over for whatever reason, can they ask you for your green card instead of just drivers license?

My reply is valid and it IS THE LAW! Reading and comprehension is also very important for a Professional Class A CDL driver. Cole

First of all I'm new on this forum. So Hello to everyone.

Just got my permit and still in school working towards my CDL

I have a rather strange question, but a straight and true answer would be really appreciated.

What happens if you are not a citizen of U.S. and have a pending green card in the process and you start driving the truck?

When you get pulled over for whatever reason, can they ask you for your green card instead of just drivers license?

I know a few drivers from my previous job who were not even legal and they were still driving.

Anyways, I should have my green card in a few months but I don't want to sit at home spending my wife's money.

Btw, I have already joined a company and will be driving tanker with hazmat if that makes any difference.

Thank you.

You dont have to wait for the hard copy. But you do need identification and medical. As long as you have the paperwork. Youll be fine if youre following the law.