Have CDL 4 Years But No Experience
Topic 21983 | Page 1
Your license may have been downgraded if you've let your medical certification lapse. You need to check with the DMV and make sure your CDL is still valid. If it is still valid you will have to go through a refresher course. Try looking into some of the Paid CDL Training Programs
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.
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.DMV:
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.
Yes I figured I would at the very least have to go through a refresher course. I never thought of checking with the DMV , I was unaware that they could just downgrade my license like that. If that ends up being the case, I can assure you I won't be paying $5000 for school again. Paid training here I come!
Thanks for the help.
Your license may have been downgraded if you've let your medical certification lapse. You need to check with the DMV and make sure your CDL is still valid. If it is still valid you will have to go through a refresher course. Try looking into some of the Paid CDL Training Programs
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.
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.DMV:
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.
Jesse, let us know what you find out. Some folks have been caught unawares with this very scenario. It can vary on how and when it's done in the different states.
I'm in exactly the same boat. I originally went to school and earned my CDL about 23 years ago now. My license was downgraded when the new medical certification requirements kicked in back around 2011 or 12(?). I checked with the DMV here in Florida and I only have to get a new DOT Medical then bring that along with $85 to the DMV and they will happily re-instate my CDL with no re-testing required. Of course, I'd have to test for any endorsements needed (Combinations, AirBrakes, etc)... but those tests are cheap, $7 each. I agree with Old School to find out, you will for sure want to call your DMV office to inquire about your status and what options you have if your license has indeed been downgraded. Out of curiosity, what state are you licensed in?
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.
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.DMV:
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I was in the same position before I started working as a driver...completed school and passed my CDL road test and didn't get much interest from the half dozen or so employers I applied to due to points that hadn't fallen off my license yet. I said to hell with this pretty quick and went back to what I was doing before. Just shy of four years later, I had no points on my license by this point, got the urge to try trucking again...got hired real easy by the first company I called. From what they told me, if I had been out of school five years they wouldn't have hired me...I would have had to go back to school. There were no issues regarding expired medical certification...mine had been expired two years and that didn't affect my license at all (I'm from NY, your state may do things differently). Just had to get it renewed during the hiring, orientation process...just as I would have had to do had it NOT been expired.
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.
There were no issues regarding expired medical certification...mine had been expired two years and that didn't affect my license at all (I'm from NY, your state may do things differently)
I don't know if this was a long time ago or they just missed your situation or what but that isn't true. In New York State you have to maintain your DOT physical or they'll downgrade your CDL to a regular Class D. This is from the NYS DMV website for Medical Certification Requirements:
New Federal regulations require that every commercial learner permit (CLP) holder or driver license (CDL) holder must certify to the type of commercial driving they currently perform (or expect to perform).
- these requirements will affect all drivers who have, or apply for a commercial driver license (CDL)
- a USDOT Medical Examiner's Certificate will be required for some types of driving and must be submitted to DMV before your current certification expires
- you will lose your commercial driving privileges if you do not comply
I'm from New York State also.
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.
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.DMV:
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.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
I got my CDL through a school about 4 years ago but life happens and long story short, I never got the chance to use it. My question is, since I have my CDL already and all I am looking to do is get in the door with a company that will give me the OTR experience I need, does anyone know of any of the companies who offer training for new drivers who might fast track someone like me? All I need is to renew my DOT medical card. My hesitation has been that everything I read, they all speak about hiring RECENT CDL graduates. I am a graduate, but not recent. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!
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.
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.