Not sure if I am new or just trying to recycle

Here is the scenerio folks. I spent 18 years driving, but I have been out of the industry since 2000. Took the break to raise my kids, and now I am just plain getting to old to make my living climbing telephone poles and crawling under houses. Within the next year, probably next spring, I will be transitioning back into driving professionally. I still have my Class A CDL, no endorsements, and basically am looking for advice on the best way to accomplish this.

 

Start slow, like Prime

 

I think that you need to check with your state DMV and find out if your CDL is still on record, or if it has been permanently down graded. I believe it was back in January of 2014, that the ruling came down, that if we do not keep up with our DOT medical cards, our CDL gets down graded to an operators license.

some states, mine for example, follow the DOT rules that all we need to do is go and get a new DOT medical, show them (the DMV) and we are good to go.

some states, (I have read) are requiring drivers to be tested all over again, written tests, road tests..

so check into that first

if you live in a state that only requires a new DOT card, you're halfway to getting back on the road.

 

here you go, and by my reading, right now, you don't even have ANY driver's license..>!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/CDLMedCertFAQs.pdf



Q. How can I get back my CDL privileges?
A. If the DOT medical examiner’s certificate has expired, you must obtain a new one and provide it to
NC DMV. If the variance has expired, you must renew it with FMCSA. NC DMV may require
retesting and additional fees to restore your CDL privileges.



Q. What if I do not provide NC DMV with my self-certification and if required, my medical
examiner’s certificate and any required variance document by January 30, 2014?
A. NC DMV will notify you that you are no longer medically certified to operate a CMV in nonexcepted interstate/non-excepted intrastate commerce. You will have 30 days to respond or your
entire NC driving privileges will be cancelled.

 

What G said above....^^^^^

However, not trying to change your mind, but if you've been out of the game for 15 years, you are in for one hell of a culture shock. A lot, and I mean a whole hell of ALOT has changed, even in just the last several years. Especially but not limited to just regulations. You might want to do some research beforehand; a lot of us "oldtimers" are just leaving the industry due to all the nonsensical BS nowadays......

Just a thought.

 

Yea, I started to go get the DOT Physical but checked with the NCDOT, I signed a waiver saying at the current time I was not using it for a driving job, it is still active although I do have to take a DOT physical and file it with them before I do take a driving job.

 

ok good some states allow that, mine does not. if and when I retire, to keep my CDL I must continue to get a physical. well when I retire, I retire, and they can shove my CDL up their as...........

so you lucked out, I think Ohio does this as well.

 

Yep this is what I was told in Michigan, let my physical expire and I lose my cdl and have to take both the written and road tests... again.

 

yeah, that sucks. its a money deal, is all it is.

 

Either attend a community college CDL course or a trucking company CDL course.

Millis Transfer has a school in NC. Pretty good dry van company. Cost is $500.00