Texas CDL Renewal/Medical Card Question
Topic 13612 | Page 1
I'm in Mississippi and they have a similar penalty. I guess States don't like you to let the medical card slide, no matter what the reason.
I'm in Mississippi and they have a similar penalty. I guess States don't like you to let the medical card slide, no matter what the reason.
Actually - it's ALL STATES per DOT/FMCSA regs.
Which is why, in most Med Card discussions I post on, I really harp on making sure to keep your card current - and making sure you FILE A CURRENT COPY with your licensing state.
Most states (at least Florida in my case), allow you to do this online - so if you're on the road and renew your card, you can upload a photo of it, and they will review, approve, and update your licensing records to reflect it.
The law also REQUIRES that you turn in your CDL for a "regular operators license", and many states have a penalty for not doing so.
Also keep in mind - should your CDL be downgraded, and you "forgot" about your med card expiring - and you are caught driving a CMV on a downgraded license, it is the same as not having a CDL AT ALL - a SERIOUS OFFENSE - and comes with serious penalties:
The Federal penalty for those who violate the CDL requirements is a civil penalty of $2,500, or in aggravated cases, up to $5,000 and 3 months to 1 year in jail. An employer who knowingly allows an unlicensed driver to operate a CMV can be subject to a $10,000 fine.
In addition to the above penalties, a driver who operates a commercial motor vehicle without the proper commercial driver’s license and the applicable endorsements will also have his/her license suspended for a period of 90 days.
Companies usually keep track of the status of the medical card filed WITH THEM - but not necessarily, whether the DRIVER filed the card with his state.
States also have a thing called: "Self Election" - where you declare how you are using your CDL. This will RESTRICT your CDL also if you make the wrong choice.
For INTERSTATE OTR DRIVING - it is: INTERSTATE NON-EXEMPTED.
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.
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.
Commercial Motor Vehicle:
A commercial motor vehicle is any vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property with either:
- A gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more
- A gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more which includes a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds
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
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
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.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Thanks for reply. DPS notified me today as long as you have not voluntarily surrendered or changed anything on your downgraded license, you can renew your CDL anytime before the expiration date on your DL.
I'm in Mississippi and they have a similar penalty. I guess States don't like you to let the medical card slide, no matter what the reason.
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.
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Hey all, I got my Class-A CDL in August 2012. I was recently Downgraded to a Class-C license in July for not renewing my Medical card. Texas DPS website says I can renew my CDL if I renew my medical card, and pay a fee. Has anyone had a similar situation? Is there a time-frame to be able to get it back? I was transitioning careers at the time, and now i'm looking at getting back into OTR trucking. Thanks in advance.
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.