Ok, here's the deal. Since I turned 16 I've had either 6 or 7 licenses. Right now I have a Chauffeur's license with the CY and F endorsements. Most people aren't familiar with the F endorsement, so let me explain. It gives me the right to drive pretty much anything you guys can drive as long as I'm doing it for our farm within 150 miles of our farms. Air, doubles, the works. I'm not sure how it works with hazmat, but I really don't care since I don't drive for the farm any more. The tests the SOS lists as being required are the CDL general knowledge and combination vehicles. I went above and beyond and took the air brakes and/or doubles and they put a note of it on the paper in case I needed to upgrade later.

My question is this: Will I have to retake all of these tests to get my temporary instruction permit? The SOS says you have to be 18 to get the F, but I think I might have done it at 16 (I think there was an exemption because my family owns a farm). So the tests were either taken 3 or 5 years ago. I'll be honest and say I don't even remember some of the content, which I have every intent of studying, but I'm just curious if I'll need to take the tests all over. If there's anyone experienced with this, or perhaps someone that works in the SOS and knows the answer, I'd appreciate hearing it.

The short answer is Yes, you will most likely have to take EVERYTHING again. I am about 90% sure of that. Michigan treats its SOS offices like a tax house. Anytime they can squeeze an extra dime out they will. When you take the tests, its money in there pocket. If there is a question on if you should have to take them again, the question will always result in "pay us more". I could be wrong, but I would assume you will have too. Thats years away anyways. Don't worry about it to much now.

But... I don't think they actually charge for the test, just the TIP.

I would say YES because the F endorsement is an exemption for farm use only.

Your are up grading to a Class A CDL which is different then an F.

YOU will have to take a test for each endorsement that you want.
such as air brake, tanks, triples, doubles, and especially a HazMat with finger prints and background check.

And you will have to have a driving test as well. This is a requirement for first time applicants.

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I think you just have to take the class A written test since you already have air brake endorsements. All of your other endorsements should transfer also, No? Call SOS to be sure. Good luck.

I do know that I could take a road test right now and go get my class A CDL. The F endorsement is everything except the road test that you would need for a class A CDL. I'm betting you guys (and gals) are both right and I'll have to take it over. I just hate sitting there in the testing area, seeing all kinds of people I know. Last time I was at the SOS I was sitting next to a guy that ran an O/O outfit and got to talking. Told him my dad drove truck and he made me take down all of his info and pretty much offered us both a job right on the spot... one thing I love about living in a small community. I'll just plan on taking the test again and study in the "cram" mode as I do for tests. I much more prefer to study in a way it really sinks in, but I perform better on tests if I cram it all in the night before.

I just went to Michigan sec of state site. It's an F endorsement, not an exemption. and judging by what it goes on to say (following) doesn't wound to me like you have to pay for written tests you already passed.

Required Tests

To add the "F" endorsement to an operator or chauffeur license, the applicant must pass both the CDL General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles tests. No additional testing (written test or skills test) is required for this endorsement.

The General Knowledge test is waived if a person has a CDL (group B or C). This test was passed when the CDL was issued.

The Combination Vehicles test is waived if the applicant has a group A CDL.

Hope this helps.

Well, I worked on a farm, and we had several guys from age 16 up that got the F endorsement on their licenses and drove the various semi's around the farm. But as far as I know, not one of them ever went on and upgradeded their license to a fuill class A, so I can't answer your question. I picked up a class A from day one, since in addition to driving for our own use, I drove the truck we had leased to the local co-op hauling commercially.

One night, one of the young guys (16 years old and in HS) was working in one of the fields when we were harvesting corn, and his mother called him on his cell phone. He told her that he would be home, that he was bringing the semi back to the farm and would get his pickup over there. She hesitated for a moment, and then asked "What, Does Gerald let you drive the semi?" with some shock in her voice. He responded to her that the correct response was for her to say "Gerald lets you drive the semi! Gee that's great". he then pointed out to her that he had been driving the semi since summer began and he got his license, and she just didn't realize it!

Sounds all too familiar, Burky. When I first started driving the straight trucks, she worried. When she heard I drove the semi, she didn't like that at all, either. I've only driven our COE once or twice and the other one about 3 or 4 times. Needless to say, she's not happy that I'll be going OTR driving. I'm not the kind of guy that gets excited about... ANYTHING and I'm really excited to be going to work with Roehl. I wish they'd just be happy for us instead of guilting us and turning it into a pity party for them instead of a good experience for us. I'm 21 and still living with my parents. I'm hoping to get all of my college debt and CC's paid off, then get enough saved up for a nice downpayment on a home. Finally getting somewhere in life and I have to feel guilty because I'm ruining her Christmas and all this other stuff. At least when she's at work I can express how happy I am, wearing a smile all day long.

Well, I think we are missing his question a bit. I think we all agree that he will have to take the CDL A Tractor Trailor combo test again. But his real question is, would he have to take the endorsments like Air? Thats the real question, becouse he took them in addition to the F endorsment. I would say yes, but I am saying yes becouse I know SoS in Michigan is like, and there has been a considerable amount of time since he took them.