"They let their CDL go" - What does it mean?

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by jd1952, Apr 5, 2012.

  1. jd1952

    jd1952 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 15, 2010
    Edmond, OK
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    I have a CDL, and a few years experience. I have not been driving professionally for the last few years.
    I have seen on several threads drivers saying, "they let their CDL go." What does, let their CDL go mean? I understand that if I want to drive professionally again, the company that hires me would want me to do some retraining. I understand this. Currency is important.
    The license in my wallet (which I just renewed with the state) does say Commercial Driver License, Class A.

    Is there some action I must take, to not let it go?
     
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  3. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    When they say they "let it go", they mean when it came to renewal time, they did not re-new the CDL, they let it drop to a regular 4 wheeler license. In Ca. it's a class "C". Might be different in other states. So, as long as you keep your medical card valid and re-new your CDL as a CDL, you'll have a CDL. The cost is much higher however, something like $56 VS. $12 for a class "C". Moral of the story : If you think you will ever get back into trucking, DO NOT let your CDL go. $56 spent every 5 years ain't no big deal. (plus cost of DOT medical)
     
  4. slim shady

    slim shady Road Train Member

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    I "let mine go" 18 or so yrs ago thinking "I'll never drive again"
    But I'm back and paying for it.
    Just keep renewing it you never know.
     
    homeskillet and Rideandrepair Thank this.
  5. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    The cost difference is not like you would have to mortgage the house to renew the CDL as opposed to letting it drop back to a regular driver license. There may be a day I choose to never crawl into a truck again, but I will maintain the CDL cause you just never know....
     
  6. jd1952

    jd1952 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 15, 2010
    Edmond, OK
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    Thanks,
    I did pay the extra to renew the license last year, but I have not had a current Medical since I stopped driving professionally. Did the license lapse when the Medical expired, or may I renew the Medical at the time I start driving professionally?
     
  7. Crusty

    Crusty <b>Just Plain Crusty</b>

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    May 29, 2010
    Canton, GA
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    It's 50/50. Why? If you hold on to your cdl and want to return to driving; it MAY be easier only if you LUCK OUT. By that I mean if some small company agrees to hire you without re-training. A long shot to be sure. I have my cdl and decided to go thru a full accredited school and take ALL the tests to get that full certification ( sheep skin AND verbal ) to make myself more hireable. Lets be real here. You SHOULD have the road/yard skills and knowledge to pass the tests. It will make you the fully qualified driver you need to be. IMHO.
     
  8. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    El Chuco, Tejas
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    I let mine go when I moved back to NM from Iowa and NM wouldn't allow me to transfer a class A CDL to NM without a valid medical card. I didn't have one so I dropped it to a class C non CDL.
     
  9. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    In Ca./Az. no med card means CDL is downgraded to a regular license FOR ONE YEAR. If, after one year, you have not renewed your med card, your CDL is gone permanently. After that, you need to start over from scratch.
     
    okiedokie and speedyk Thank this.
  10. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    This will be happening in more states as they all get on line with the new medical card requirements by the FMCSA.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  11. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    There is an option for exempt and intrastate, I just did the self certify thing last week. But the days of maintaining a CDL without a Med Cert are just about over.
     
    Rideandrepair and Roadmedic Thank this.
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