Out of State CDL

Hey, I was thinking about joining Roehl or Swift and go through their sponsored training programs, but I recently read a comment saying I'd be wasting my time unless the school was in my state and I obtained my CDL from the state I live in. If this is true, this is a huge blow to my hopes since I'm not familiar with any schools in Alabama that are sponsored by decent and reputable companies like Roehl. Can anyone clarify this for me>

 

Nope that is wrong. I received mine on the other side of the country and drive on the northeastern side of the US.
Actually simple how to do it. Once the DMV (or BMV) sends your CDL license to your house you take it to your local DMV/BMV to have it transfered to your state, which all drivers do. It can be anywhere from $40 to $200 to do so.
Believe me people whom go out to Swift and other schools from these companies are not all from that state.

 

^ What Lake said, you usually have 90 days to do it.

 

ah thanks guys! I get alot of good advice from this forum, but I guess you can't believe everything you read here!

Another user private messaged me from this post and he informed me that you do have to take a written permit test in your state before applying to Roehl, in which case I have no problem doing.

Thanks to both of you for clearing that up for me. Keep truckin guys..

 

You only have to have a validated cdl from your state of resisdents. Ie. where you live. Your log book however will be logged as state of employment for hours of service at their main terminal. Ie. Alabama central time on your log book.

 

Take a look at this link: http://www.truckingtruth.com/schools/al.html

 

You go train in any state you want and then come back and transfer it over. Some states will make you take the written test again but no road test.

Most schools have their own 3rd party state certified instructors that do the state testing right at school. They even do the road test/obstacle course at school. Then when you graduate they herd you down to the DMV to get your plastic. Then your first trip home you go transfer it to your state.

Don't forget when you get back in Alabama you have to self certify your medical card with the DMV. They started that early on 1/30/12. They'll probably ask you when you transfer.

https://dps.alabama.gov/CDLSelfCertification/Default.aspx

read the FAQ's

 

Sorry I miss read the post, thought he said he already had a cdl from his state and wanted a refreasher course. I did mine alittle different than most, I was in the military in germany for almost 7 years driving. When I came back to the states some years had past when I deceided I wanted to drive truck as a career. So I just looked into a local company to see if they were hiring and they were, so I asked if I got my permit would they let me use an older truck and a dump trailer to go and take my driving test. They said if you can pass first try they would hire me same day. So I did just that. I drove before in germany so I had time behind the wheel but it didnt count towards any higher starting pay, but that was ok for me considering the use of the truck for the drivers test. So I was Happy. And mind you I started out at 24% of the load. Home every 13.5-14 hrs for 10 hrs. ran 5 loads a week to NJ. grossed 900-1000 a week as a company driver pulling van no touch freight. I must have been one lucky person to not have the horror stories like alot I read on here.

 

That was a stroke of luck... what unit were you did you drive for in Germany?

I was in 76th Trans in Pirmasens and the 503rd Trans in Heidelberg. Drove M915s and M931s at the very end.

That is 76-14 in my avatar, my truck in Pirm

 

I was in 3rd inf 703rd. Kittengen and wurzburg. M931 here as well. I pulled a comm van that expanded on its sides. And alot of flatbed for equipment to the field. Our company mainly hauled class 9 warehouse stuff. which was major parts to other bases. Sure was fun back then and no HOS logs. LOL Funny how the same government that makes the rule dont have to follow them even today. At least overseas dont. And germany makes the natives do HOS on commerical carriers do them. Go figure that one out.