How long is CDL good for?

Your license is good for 5 years in my state. But that is not the question you are asking. What you are asking is How long are you considered a recent graduate? Six months. After that any company will have you go through a refresher course.

Now asking about a "reputable trucking company" is another thing all together. Any company that hires someone with zero experience is a starter company. Swift, CR England, Werner, these companies serve a purpose. Are they companies, I would work for no. But they would be companies that would hire you. I do not recommend them but that is just because of rumors I have heard. Not personal experience.

When you are ready, let us know.

 

you also have to maintain your physical every 1 or 2 years depending on restrictions in order to keep you license valid.
You also have to recertify when you renew your dot physical physical.

 

Stay away from CR England, all the stories are true. Husband originally started with US X years ago, stopped and went back with Cr England, bad mistake. He is at Prime now, freight seems to be slow, but so far we survive. He is a lease operator, not recommended till you have at least a year or so under your belt.

 

also in my state, CDL is good for 5 years. some states, 4 years, some 3 years.

however, some companies MAKE you take a refresher if as little as 3 months go by and you ain't working. so it's really up to each individual company.

either plan NOW at getting a job, or save up some cold hard cash.

 

After 3-6 months without using your cdl, even the old drivers with 30+ years experience will have to start all over again if they go with a big company.

 

Didn't they make your first issue CDL good UP TO 5 years, so that it expires in years that end in 0 or 5? After that it's 5 years

 

Depends on your state. My CDL is good for 10 years in VA. Probably helps that I've had a class B for a very long time though.

I thought the OP was asking how long does he get to keep his CDL before having to get one re issued. In that case (assuming physicals are done), forever. You can't put it in your will to be inherited by your grandchildren, but if you renew it on time, CDL does not go away.