Guy says he got his CDL back without driving and written

I have a hard time believing this story, but a renter I have says he now has his CDL after having it taken away probably over 10 to 15 years ago. He had a few log book problems and a couple OWI convictions. According to him he didn't even take a driving or written test to get it back. He says he did get a physical. If anything I thought getting a CDL was harder now than ever. His wife says he could be on the road with a load to California as early as next week. Something sounds fishy to me. I guess he has in possession his temporary paper license until his small plastic one comes. Were things relaxed to help with the semi driver shortage / supply chain issues? Is there such a thing as suspending your license and then getting it back years later without all of the testing? It wouldn't be the first time this guy has told a story. I don't think he is safe driving a car let alone an eighteen wheeler.

The first thing I ask when I interview new employees, Do you have a drivers license? You would be surprised how many do not. That said, he may be driving without a license or more likely bought a fake one off the internet. (no test needed, LOL) If he does have a fake CDL, I dont see how he won't get caught. I have driven from one end of the county to the other with a pickup pulling and RV and never got my drivers license out. But I don't see how you could do that with an 18 wheeler.

Each state has their own rules but in Louisiana if you go without a CDL for 2 years it is like you never had one.
You need to start from scratch.

used to be five years in Tennessee then start over. may have changed now

my neighbor hauled grain across the canada us border for 2 years and never even had a drivers license. They were trying to get him for all kinds of other violations that wouldn't stick and all of a sudden someone checked his drivers license and that put him behind bars for a bit. Flew airplane and started dealing drugs between Us and mexico border. last I heard he is in alsalvador in jail.

Second owi, I don't think you can get it back. First one you lose for a year second I thought was permanently. Yep, I remembered correctly.

Department of Safety outlines the consequences clearly in the Commercial Driver's License Manual: If you are convicted of a second violation in your personal vehicle or commercial motor vehicle, you will lose your CDL for life.

After one year without CDL in Ky you have to take the written test over again
Not 100% sure but thinking after 5 years you start over and have to do written and driving tests

Our son flew from WI to WA for a job interview about 10 years ago, landed in Seattle, went to rent a car, couldn't, his drivers license was expired! He's a bit of an absent minded professor! So, he went down the street and bought a used car, got the job, kept the car for a commuting car!

Each State has its own laws. And details can vary from state to state. But when it comes to a CDL addition to a DL, and OWI convictions, I'd of thought the laws would be very similar in nature. And any differences would be even stricter per state, than federal guidelines.

Most states (all I would presume) receive SOME federal funding for roadways. Refusing to abide by federal guidelines pertaining to CDLs and OWIs, would exempt the state from federal roadway funding, I'd think.
That's why DUI laws are very similar in nature, from state to state. The only variations you see on how states are different on that, is how the state goes about appeasing the federal guidelines, and any stricter policy that state may wish to pursue. But the base line fundamentals are the same, to meet federal requirements.

I know a guy that drives a big rig some. Hauling oversize loads, of all things, and in a junky truck. It's HIGHLY doubtfully he even has a DL at all. How does he get away with it??? Just don't get pulled over, I guess. I do think he stays way under the radar (chooses routes and what not, where even seeing a cop is unlikely).

I know a guy from Texas that got his CDL yanked for crappy truck related fines. He got fired from his job after. He claims, that the trucking company wouldn't help him pay the fines. Fired him instead. He is now in my state trying to get CDL'd here. Not sure how that's going to work out for him (eluding the un-paid Texas fines). Either way, he has got his regular DL transferred to here, and has to start from scratch on the CDL.

In my state, you can jump through the hoops on a first DUI conviction, and be back CDL'd again. It'd take some time, and you'd probably be not legal to drive a big rig for 2 or 3 years, while you are jumping through those hoops. I THINK subsequent convictions, disqualifies you from being able to do that. And thier might be a clause that if first DUI was aquired in a big rig, you are just done. Can only jump through hoops if DUI was aquired from driving a regular vehicle.
In my state, breath test is .08 for regular DL. It's .04 for a CDL holder in a regular vehicle. Zero tolerance for a CDL holder in a big rig.

I seriously doubt your person in question is legit. If so, it's highly likely something shady is going on (new identity on paper, or such). Also highly likely that he didn't find a loop hole that can only be found in your state. Especially if this guy received and lost his CDL in your
state (meaning, he got his CDL, the state revoked it, and now he's got it back, all from the same state).

Several states are seriously loosening CDL regulations due to the shortage of drivers. I know in my state it is possible to get a CDL much faster than it used to be possible. We also see signs and ads now for class B drivers. Several companies have taken a hard look at what/where they haul and if something less than a class A will work they are willing to go for it.

'If anything I thought getting a CDL was harder now than ever.' I had to use the scale at the local Pilot yesterday. Judging from the shenanigans I saw while waiting in line and what I've seen on YouTube channels like Bonehead Truckers, I don't believe this statement to be true.

I got a technicality question, in regards to that, if you can answer it.

What I said in my reply, pertains to a CDL holder. Perhaps what you said here, does too.

My question. What about a non-CDL
holder with multiple convictions??? Like, as in, a person with 2 or more convictions, but those prior convictions occured to a non-CDL holder at the time, in a regular vehicles (perhaps never been CDL'd). Are those people just SCREWED?? Perhaps didn't know at the time, that a second conviction would dis-able them from ever being CDL'd, not knowing what those requirements were.

If so, were bunches of CDL drivers kicked off the road, when that law took affect?? And that would sure dis-able a whole bunch of people from ever getting CDL'd, that were never CDL'd to begin with. Be kind of un-fair to an old fart that hasn't drank for years, and got in a little trouble back when he was young and dumb.

How much rent do they owe?

The New to this country imports can get a CDL with out knowing how to read or speak English,,most of the can not back a trailer..they ask the dock workers to place the trailer where they need to be..Tell me how this is safe...I have driven a semi hauling farm goods for over 40 years with no CDL,,if I cross the state line I'm shut down..

I watched a couple (I think Russian) drivers attempt to back up to a dock. After 13 (I counted) tries they were not centered but had enough room to get a forklift and pallets in the trailer. They had taken turns trying. It was a refrigerated warehouse also so not energy efficient.

That is exactly the way it is here in Tennessee , lots of older folks that retired and voluntary
gave their CDL up now being hired to drive school busses and they get back under the above
circumstances .

Well, You might have been born at night, but, was it last night??
You better find a different renter.

SMS ..... you must've been pretty busy to go through all that waiting and counting ..... LOL !!! I probably would have lost count or lost interest .....

I think your renter is a BS artist.

I doubt most communist driver license stories.

Effective Feb 7, 2022, it became more difficult to get a license. New training for Entry Level Drivers is now required The ELDT regulations are not retroactive; individuals who were issued a CDL or an S, P, or H endorsement prior to February 7, 2022 are not required to complete training for the respective CDL or endorsement. Go to FMCSA if you want real information instead YTDOT opinions.

I'm crying fake news on this one too.

Oh by the way I have renters too so I know what stories they are capable of. checks in the mail

Exactly correct. CDL is federal
controlled. States cannot alter
federal regulations. That is not to
say a person cannot find someone
willing to do something illegal for a
price. Read of that happening more
than once. In most cases,
]examiners and drivers both subject
to jail time

Without a CDL a person can do a plea bargain, defensive driving course, etc.....to mask or alter the offense. Not possible if you have a CDL.

They always pay the rent. They just don't have any money left the rest of the month. I hope he can get back on the road driving, but do not really understand how he could have possibly gotten his CDL without a test and drive. It may have been 15 years ago when he had a CDL. Monday will day of truth. His wife says he starts then. Will see if he leaves or watches Lets Make a Deal and The Price is Right.

I lost mine because I was getting up in age and was no longer using it.

That's strange!! I cross into B.C several times each week, Going in empty, I have to show my license, returning loaded, I have to show my license and bill of lading, and it had better match what my employer pre-filed, and the broker entered into the system.

Ah yes. The infamous CDL. Crash Dummy License.

But I like YTDOT they have a sense of humor

Or he was waiting and counting because he was in line for his turn to unload. Maybe he was stating something he seen in real life and he was not trying to poke fun at someone.

I was in an 80 foot lift installing gutters and leaders on the warehouse. Working over and around the trucks at the docks. I took an interest in their abilities and location.

Sort of like waiting to unload at one of the livestock markets in my area.Some real entertaining backing up to unload sometimes,nothing to do but sit and watch.

I have been hauling farm related loads since 1966. Retired now and I was asked if I could haul a few loads to other states for a friend, so I decided to go for the CDL. First, I was asked if I was a student of their driver training school. I said no, I have all these years of experience hauling for my own farm. Then the Test Sargent said for the pre-trip inspection, I have to point to everything I check, repeat everything exactly from the latest DOT manual at each item, move on to the next item, and repeat exactly, or automatic fail. His speech sounded exactly like a teenager when given excess authority. (He is probably in his 40's) I wasted $100 for the test and 20 minutes of my time. Never needed a CDL in the past and don't see it happening in my lifetime. He told me I could go home, study the latest book, and return. What do you want to do? I said my truck is now for sale. I see why the so called driver shortage.

Yes, there was a 'school' in Bethlehem PA that was basically selling CDLs. Don't know how many 'seat warmers' they put on the road before they got caught.

(quoted from post at 06:05:21 04/15/22) I have been hauling farm related loads since 1966. Retired now and I was asked if I could haul a few loads to other states for a friend, so I decided to go for the CDL. First, I was asked if I was a student of their driver training school. I said no, I have all these years of experience hauling for my own farm. Then the Test Sargent said for the pre-trip inspection, I have to point to everything I check, repeat everything exactly from the latest DOT manual at each item, move on to the next item, and repeat exactly, or automatic fail. His speech sounded exactly like a teenager when given excess authority. (He is probably in his 40's) I wasted $100 for the test and 20 minutes of my time. Never needed a CDL in the past and don't see it happening in my lifetime. He told me I could go home, study the latest book, and return. What do you want to do? I said my truck is now for sale. I see why the so called driver shortage.

Click to expand...

Welcome to the real world.

Were you refused a CDL because the examiner would not simply take your word for it that you have so much experience that you don't need to take the tests or was it because you failed one of the tests?

The 55 and alive course is a very good refresher for those of us that have not cracked open a driver's manual since the 1970s. It costs about $30 and can be taken either in a classroom or online.

The kid that killed all those people in Colorado couldn't speak or read a word of English at the time of the wreck.
They should have prosecuted anyone involved in his holding the license as an accessory to murder.