Reinstating a Voluntarily Cancelled CDL

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by BayTrucker, Jan 18, 2025.

  1. BayTrucker

    BayTrucker Bobtail Member

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    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?
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2025
    tscottme and Numb Thank this.
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  3. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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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.
  4. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    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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  5. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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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.
     
  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    My state, not CA thankfully, gives 5 years since downgrade of CDL to reinstate it. After that you have to do everything like you never had a CDL. IMO, it's always better to keep your CDL & not use it than to give it up, just because starting over as brand new is more effort than the minimum necessary to maintain it and not use it.

    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.
     
  7. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    My dad told me to never give it up. I went to junior college, university and worked for a few years. I paid to keep a current physical. I didn't drive a revenue mile in nearly 14 years after I quit driving as kid. Best advice he gave me!
     
  8. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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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.
     
  9. Still undecided

    Still undecided Heavy Load Member

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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.
     
  10. Wargames

    Wargames Captain Crusty

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    Ha ha ha , you Da man!
     
    201 Thanks this.
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