Questions for getting my CDL back.

Sadly, no testing facility supplies equipment. You will have to get someone to "sponsor" you. You can't even rent one out for yourself, as you have no valid CDL.

So, put an ad in Craig's List, and offer as much as $50 per hour. See how many responses you get. If none, bump up your offer to $100 per hour. In any event, make a guarantee "up front" payment for the first hour. The balance when you are done.

A learner's permit allows you to drive (with a licensed CDL driver sitting next to you), anywhere you want to drive. You can go cross country if you wish. However, be forewarned, that "co-driver" MUST NOT be in the sleeper berth as you drive. He/she MUST be seated next to you.

The time duration of any permit expiring depends on the state you live in. Since you are in Florida, you must find that out from them.

Now as for getting a job after you get your license. Good luck. You have NO RECENT driving experience. YOU can try to contact your former employer(s) for a reference, or a job. However, so many companies WANT RECENT experience. Again, Craig's List "might be" your best shot at a job.

If in the future, you leave the country again, DO NOT LET your CDL expire.GET HOME and get it renewed, to avoid this marlarky you will have to go through now.

In the end? I would actually RECOMMEND, that you go to a CDL school, and get the shortest classes available. This gives you a "certificate", that you have been "reasonably trained", and "might" make it easier to gain employment.

Good luck to you. keep us informed.

 

If you're willing to travel, there are a couple of places in Dallas that advertise a truck and 'trainer' for around $350 that you can use to test for your TX CDL. I'm not affiliated with any of them, don't know anything else about them and don't endorse them. I won't post links or name any of them, but you can find them with a simple Google search.