What if your medical certificate expires?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Davidbenjamin, Jan 29, 2022.

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  1. Davidbenjamin

    Davidbenjamin Bobtail Member

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    I received a letter a few days ago saying if I don't update my medical examiner's certificate, my cdl will be downgraded to a class d license. If it were downgraded and I ever wanted to drive a truck again, would I have to start the process over from the very beginning? i.e. get my learner's permit, go back to cdl school, take the tests, etc. As always, thanks for your answers.
     
    Davidbenjamin, Jan 29, 2022
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  2. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I know in Ca. and Az. if your medical expires your license is downgraded, but if you renew the medical with-in 1 year, it will be upgraded back to a CDL. If over 1 year, you start from scratch.
     
    Allow Me., Jan 29, 2022
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  3. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    @Allow Me. is probably right. I just always assumed that as long as you held the Class A (card), you could renew & get that status reinstated. But, if you didn't renew & your license expired & you renewed to a class D, you would have to retake the tests etc, & qualify for your Class A again. And, every state may be different. I don't know. There may very well be a time limit on it rather than actual renewal time every 4 years or so.

    Hopefully someone else will come along with some solid advice.
     
    Grumppy, Jan 29, 2022
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  4. Magnolia379

    Magnolia379 Bobtail Member

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    In the state of Pennsylvania, the driver has 30 day to submit a change of driving status, that will keep your cdl safe for a year I think. If you do not change your driving status within the allotted time you lose your cdl and will be required to retest.
     
    Magnolia379, Jan 29, 2022
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  5. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    The easiest way to keep your CDL is to do an internet search, I like Duckduckgo.com others use the evil Google.com. Enter the state that gave you the CDL and "self-certify". For example: TN CDL Self-Certify Form. This brings up the form for Tennessee. Option 2 Excepted Interstate . That option does not require you to maintain a DOT Medic Card. Initial that option and transmit it the state. Obviously do the internet using your state and find the similar option on your state's self-certify form and then transmit that for to your state. Obviously you cannot drive vehicles requiring a CDL until after you get a valid DOT Medical Card. My instructions are not a way to USE your CDL without a medical card. They are a way to preserve your CDL without a medical card. Or you can just keep getting a new medical card before the old medical card expires.
     
    tscottme, Jan 29, 2022
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  6. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    I self certified in NC when I retired.

    retained my CDL and endorsements , only no interstate,just intrastate.

    It's a K restriction
     
    Numb, Jan 29, 2022
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  7. Hazmat Cat

    Hazmat Cat Medium Load Member

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    In Indiana, if your medical card expires the CDL becomes intrastate. You have 30 days past the expiration before anything is changed in the dmv/bmv system.
     
    Hazmat Cat, Jan 29, 2022
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  8. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    i think in my state, one has (or only had) only 30 days to renew that DOT card, or face certain downgrade, and the entire process from square 1 all over again.

    the o/p NEEDS to contact HIS DMV, either by phone or online for his particular time frame.
     
    buddyd157, Jan 29, 2022
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  9. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    There are actually 2 "Excepted" categories. "Excepted Intrastate" and "Excepted Interstate". Either one will work to allow you to keep your CDL. I didn't drive for seven years and kept my license active by self certifying "Excepted Interstate" even though a license renewal. When I was ready to go back driving, I just got a new physical and self certified normal interstate driving.


    Interstate Commerce:

    • You operate in excepted interstate commerce when you drive a CMV in interstate commerce only for the following excepted activities:
      • To transport school children and/or school staff between home and school
      • As Federal, State or local government employees
      • To transport human corpses or sick or injured persons
      • Fire truck or rescue vehicle drivers during emergencies and other related activities
      • Primarily in the transportation of propane winter heating fuel when responding to an emergency condition requiring immediate response such as damage to a propane gas system after a storm or flooding
      • In response to a pipeline emergency condition requiring immediate response such as a pipeline leak or rupture
      • In custom harvesting on a farm or to transport farm machinery and supplies used in the custom harvesting operation to and from a farm or to transport custom harvested crops to storage or market
      • Beekeeper in the seasonal transportation of bees
      • Controlled and operated by a farmer, but is not a combination vehicle (power unit and towed unit), and is used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery or farm supplies (no placard-able hazardous materials) to and from a farm and within 150 air-miles of the farm
      • As a private motor carrier of passengers for non-business purposes
      • To transport migrant workers

    • Intrastate Commerce:
    • You operate in excepted intrastate commerce when you drive a CMV only in intrastate commerce activities which your State of licensure has determined do not require you to meet the State’s medical certification requirements.
     
    kemosabi49, Jan 29, 2022
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  10. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Yeah, you would.

    Now go take care of business.
     
    blairandgretchen, Jan 29, 2022
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