Hi, I use to have a CDL-A from California but moved to another state and opted for a regular license since I’m not working in the truck industry anymore. They cancelled the one in California in order for me to get a regular license in my current state of Washington.
Well I’m deciding to move back to California and I really regret cancelling my CDL. Anyone know if they’ll reinstate my old CDL or do I have to do the whole process over?
Reinstating a Voluntarily Cancelled CDL
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by BayTrucker, Jan 18, 2025.
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Last edited: Jan 18, 2025
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Hi Bay Trucker, and welcome aboard. Sorry, you're screwed. I did the same thing when moving from Wisconsin to Colorado. The DOT guy asked if I wanted to transfer my Wis. CDL, $8 bucks. I said, I'm done trucking, push the button. He then said, you realize, if I cancel this, if you want a CDL again, you have to start all over. I said that's fine, push the button. I doubt Cal. is any different, THEN, for more salt in the wounds, companies I talked to wanted me to go through a refresher course as well. I said, WHAT? I have over 3.5 million safe miles, I backed up more than they drove forward, didn't matter, ins. rules the roost there. Good luck.
Wargames, Opendeckin, tscottme and 5 others Thank this. -
I kept my CDL, but didn’t drive for 7 years. Had to start from the bottom. Had to ride in the trainer’s truck too. Talk about a humbling and humiliating experience. If I won a billion dollars and never had to wipe my own arse again in my life, I would keep my CDLs for just in case.
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It may depend how long you did not have a Ca. CDL. Less than a year possibly will be re-instated easily. Kinda' like your medical card, it expires, your CDL not valid, renew it less than a year and Bamm, you have it back.
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Call or email the state. It's not going to hurt anything & they are the experts. 97 guesses may be almost correct, or not. I'd rather get 1 correct answer than lots of almost correct answers. -
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I take that back, apparently, in Colorado you do have 1 year. I didn't even listen to that part, I wanted out so badly.
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I'm in Illinois and got mine downgraded to intrastate use. They said all I'd need to do to reinstate would be to show a current med card, just like I was updating the med card and had kept everything current.
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