That 2 year old law that integrates your CDL Health Card to your CDL License...

Look at it this way: The more hoops you have to jump through, physical card tied to license, hazmat backround check, fingerprinting, rsndom drug tests makes it that much harder for the average schmuck to get a CDL.
Therefore your license is more valuable by the day. Keep your nose clean and it is even better, driving/work record.
Current regulatory changes in the works- mandatory ELD's, speed limiters and if you choose to stick with it, your CDL will be even more valuable because of the guys who will leave the industry.
Attention to detail is the mark of a pro. It is a tool as important to us as the tools in the mechanics chest.

 

Was 45.00 last time I renewed my license (good for 4 yrs), and 165.00 this time (good for 3 yrs).
I figured Washington state must have had a bad Marijuana crop or something, since they are now utilizing over 60% of that money.

Took about 20 mins at Dol and an additional 10.00 to comply with the med card b.s.
Don't throw away the actual Med card though, I know Idaho still wants to see it!

 

In TN, the health card is a cinch, getting a Hazmat is a Royal Pain (Cant do it in 1 day anymore). Don't know how long its been since you got a hazmat but now every time you do you have to first pay for fingerprinting and background check, TSA resides over the background check, who then notifies the state its ok to give you a hazmat, who in turn notifies you that you may go back and wait in line again to get hazmat added to your license. This process must be done now every time you apply for hazmat. If you wait til the day your license expires to renew, you will leave DPS without a hazmat.

 

I read about the new Hazmat deal, my last certification was done at Siemens Corp and took about 3 hrs. I figure Non Haz Reefer will do just fine for me!

 

Yea the best way to do it now is go to DPS about 60 days before your license expires, get their letter of instruction on the fingerprinting and background check, get that over with and by the time you have to renew, you will have received your letters from the state and TSA, then you can go take the hazmat test and get it the same day you renew your license. Either way, you will lose a couple of days trying to get it renewed.

 

Thanks, but the window for exemption registration has already closed (back in April). According to the email reply I received my only options are downgrading or getting a med card and paying the $65 to reinstate. As you mentioned, they did say that even if I downgrade now I can still opt to fully reinstate my CDL at a later date with no further testing. Not sure how much I trust that will remain in place permanently so I will be getting a med/reinstating as soon as possible.

 

Why are some of you waiting until the last minute to upgrade your medical cards? That's asking for trouble, especially in the event that something happens and you can't make it home in time. I always get mine done 2 weeks to a month in advance.

 

In WI, you do not lose your CDL. They drop you a tier and disqualify you for INTERSTATE driving. Intrastate is still allowed.

I plan on taking my fed med card straight to the DMV immediately after the physical. And my physical is scheduled on the very last day.