Does One Have To Be A Citizen Or Permannent Resident To Get A Cdl?

Hi Im a PR but ive been a PR since teenage Im now 26. You can have cdl in any state get endorsement once you hold a US DL for atleast a year.

Why haven't you gone for citizenship already?

Rick

Hi Im a PR but ive been a PR since teenage Im now 26. You can have cdl in any state get endorsement once you hold a US DL for atleast a year.

Why haven't you gone for citizenship already?

Rick

I bought property overseas and its in my name. I cant own one if I'm a foreigner.I got everything settle tho so I will prolly file at the end of the year for my citizenship then reapply to again to be dual.

I'm not a PR or citizen and got my lic and a job. I have a work permit but I've been here for a very long time.

My understanding after asking here and around is that I'm just not allowed to pull hazmat.

Unity i wouldnt count on that. I have several friends who are not US citizens that have their cdl-a.

You must have had a US drivers license for at least a year and you MUST have a permanent residency card.. A work visa isnt going to cut it. FMCSA regs are very straightforward about it.

Depending on how long youve had yours you may have flown in under the radar before a PR was required.

Depending on how long youve had yours you may have flown in under the radar before a PR was required.

^^^^^ This...

There's a lot of stuff that flew under the radar - especially prior to 9/11.

Some states are also A LOT MORE LAX than others - California being one of them. Especially California, since even illegals can get licenses, practice law, etc. Considering what testicle-busters they are for EVERYTHING ELSE - this is one of the areas they fall way short on.

Florida is a PITA about documentation for obtaining a license

This constitutes an extreme SECURITY RISK. Not saying that Unity is one - but there are VERY GOOD REASONS WHY having at least permanent resident status is an FMSCA requirement for getting a CDL.

And nothing against the original poster, or Unity - but, security issues aside- if we let "just anyone" come into the country on just any visa (or none at all) - and allow them to obtain higher licensure in fields (like law, or CDL for example) - then it takes those jobs away from americans (or people who went through the process of obtaining permanent residency).

If we're not going to observe ALL THE RULES - why bother OBSERVING ANY (or having any for that matter)?

Trucking is one of THE MOST HEAVILY REGULATED INDUSTRIES in this country. There are reasons for it (some good, and some, well just ridiculous).

Rick

Interesting, I informed my recruiter and the company when I was hired and they didn't tell me anything. I don't believe I'm a security risk but I'll keep an eye on myself from now on :P

The thing about taking away jobs I cant really comment on with any measure of confidence Rick but aren't truck drivers needed right now so my employment is pure benefit from that angle?

Interesting, I informed my recruiter and the company when I was hired and they didn't tell me anything. I don't believe I'm a security risk but I'll keep an eye on myself from now on :P

The thing about taking away jobs I cant really comment on with any measure of confidence Rick but aren't truck drivers needed right now so my employment is pure benefit from that angle?

The "shortage" is due to HIGH TURNOVER, as much as an actual shortage of equipment with drivers to move freight. That and the higher than average people dropping out, due to "false expectations" of pay, working conditions, etc. (something this site works very hard to dispel), loneliness/missing family. And of course having accidents and getting citations, and finding themselves let go.

There ARE RULES associated with obtaining a CDL - ones which, for whatever reason, you happened to slide by.

Really don't want to turn this into a political thread, or be accused of xenophobia, but the fact of the matter is - american citizens and lawful permanent residents should have the first shot at jobs here. There are classes of visa's and work authorizations for a reason also. I have the greatest of admiration for folks who come here and play by the rules - and an incredible depth of contempt for those WHO DO NOT.

Rick

I actually wanted to stay with my grandmother but being as small as I was, I couldn't hold on hard enough and so here I am and she passed away already. I could just get up and leave I suppose but I've been raised here most of my life so now I would feel like a foreigner in Mexico. Hey mate, I don't mind people speaking their mind to me so long as it dosen't get out of hand. Some employers give me the opinion they rather focus on a persons work ethic and others didn't take a risk and told me no. One explained it to me, "I find it all a s** storm. If they want to tell me who I can't and can hire, then they should come down here and find those people for me." I had one guy interviewing me tell me I'm not worth the hassle after I told him so go figure.

I've been denied employment after passing interviews for my status while others could care less. I have a hard time figuring out my stance on the issue ever since I found out. Yeah, I didn't always know about it and my parents mislead me a bit when I asked. When you put you're a citizen for your first 2 jobs and then get hired without a problem, it all seems good. Then again, even with a work permit and telling my employer about my exact situation that I now know about, it seems I broke the law anyways? Maybe you find the grey area in my situation or not, I dont know but I'm here to stay as far as I can tell. Japan seems nice tho, need to keep working on my Japanese :/

I like the trucking life so far although I switched to dedicated for the exercise and currently have an injury. Yeah, many of my classmates weren't too happy with the school or the life after they started and left. The experience is enjoyable for me all else aside but I could never see myself doing teams. Would this be where I settle for sure, probably not but life is short and learning something new is fun but also stressfull. I might not be the best trucker out there but I try to enjoy myself and take the fact I'm driving such a large vehicle seriously.

Interesting, I informed my recruiter and the company when I was hired and they didn't tell me anything. I don't believe I'm a security risk but I'll keep an eye on myself from now on :P

The thing about taking away jobs I cant really comment on with any measure of confidence Rick but aren't truck drivers needed right now so my employment is pure benefit from that angle?

The "shortage" is due to HIGH TURNOVER, as much as an actual shortage of equipment with drivers to move freight. That and the higher than average people dropping out, due to "false expectations" of pay, working conditions, etc. (something this site works very hard to dispel), loneliness/missing family. And of course having accidents and getting citations, and finding themselves let go.

There ARE RULES associated with obtaining a CDL - ones which, for whatever reason, you happened to slide by.

Really don't want to turn this into a political thread, or be accused of xenophobia, but the fact of the matter is - american citizens and lawful permanent residents should have the first shot at jobs here. There are classes of visa's and work authorizations for a reason also. I have the greatest of admiration for folks who come here and play by the rules - and an incredible depth of contempt for those WHO DO NOT.

Rick

Thanks a lot for answering the question,A long time after posting the question,I realised it should hold the green card before taking the CDL test.

thanks again ,guys above me!