Downgraded CDL

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Frank Speak, Sep 13, 2024.

  1. Frank Speak

    Frank Speak Road Train Member

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    I'm planning to call the Department of Finance & Administration (Arkansas DMV, among other things) and get the straight skinny, but just wondering what's the norm. I retired almost eight months ago. About a month or so ago, I got the annual notification letter than my med card was expiring, etc... I ignored it (actually, just forgot about it). I got another one today saying my CDL is now designated as "Non Certified", and if I don't provide a new card by a certain date, it'll be downgraded. No problem, like I said, I'm retired. Is it normal just to let things take their course, or do you normally call them, or go in and let them know? The letter just says my license will ultimately be downgraded and I won't be able to operate a commercial vehicle. Again, fine by me.

    Anyway, just interested in what the masses have to say. Again, I'll call them tomorrow and ask them if I need to come in and get the CDL removed.
     
    austinmike and Diesel Dave Thank this.
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  3. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    If ya wants to keep your CDL, then get the new card. If not, I might call them, and let the DMV know what your decision is.
     
    TX2Day Thanks this.
  4. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Also Arkansas. My CDL was downgraded for probably 15 or 16 years until I decided to buy a truck and drive.

    I did the physical when I got my authority, emailed my paperwork, and CDL was reinstated.

    This was 3 years ago, so call the DMV and make certain that hasn't changed.
     
    Oxbow, austinmike, TX2Day and 2 others Thank this.
  5. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    I wouldn’t let it go, you never know, you might get that itch……
     
  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    It varies by state.
    In my state if my CDL is downgraded for over 1 year then it would require retaking the computer tests & passing the road test again if I wanted to get it back. I'm not sure if my retirement is permanent so I just get a new DOT medical every 2 years to keep my CDL alive.
     
  7. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Or some hands belonging to everyones "favorite" uncle may cause you to need to have said itch when they reach for your wallet.
     
  8. MAMservices

    MAMservices Medium Load Member

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    I’m retired as well but didn’t want to lose my CDL. I’m in Mississippi and self certified online as intrastate, as opposed to interstate. That way I don’t have to hassle with a health card. I still drive regularly for a construction company, but have no need to go out of state. If I had to I could go get a health card and be interstate once more.
    Cheaper for me since I can only get a 1 year card account of BP meds anyway.
     
  9. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I'm also in Arkansas. I stopped driving for a few years and I went into the revenue office and asked to "Self Certify" my medical. You can either be "Excepted Interstate" or Excepted Intrastate. Although I couldn't drive a truck unless it was one of the things allowed in the Excepted categories, I kept my CDL and when I was ready to start working again, I just got a new physical and was good to go.
     
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  10. MAMservices

    MAMservices Medium Load Member

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    I usually drive Farm tagged hopper bottoms during harvest, the DOT hasn’t given any grief in several years of doing so. I drive a quad axle straight dump and lowboy work for the other company. Have had to produce licenses several times at scales regarding weight/permit questions but have not been hassled.
    Dont know about you OTR professionals, but I have only ever been asked for a healthcard in Iowa years way back at a weigh station. Never in Ms, La, Tn, Al and such.
     
    broke down plumber Thanks this.
  11. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    It really sounds like they will do it for you. Then the next time you go in to renew your license it will be as a regular citizen simply renewing the class C or D or whatever it is in your state.

    That always confused me. I grew up in CA and it was a class C for a regular driver. In some other states it is a class D.
     
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