Keeping my class A CDL active

[WItruckdriver]

Hello,
I recently quit driving OTR for awhile. I will be driving in the future and need to keep my class A CDL active. Do I need to do anything special to keep it active or just renew it when it expires every 4 years?

I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO REDO A ROAD TEST

Will I need to keep my medical (dot card) updated after it expires to keep my CDL? Or can I just update my medical card when I will actually need my CDL which may be well past its experation?

Thanks guys. I've learned a lot from these threads.

[athensjack]

I have found that after being off the road for several years, nobody wants to touch you without a refresher course. Some not even then. Get a job driving local and you should be all right.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by WItruckdriver

Hello,
I recently quit driving OTR for awhile. I will be driving in the future and need to keep my class A CDL active. Do I need to do anything special to keep it active or just renew it when it expires every 4 years?

just go and renew it......BUT, as you know, if you want to keep the hazmat endorsement, you WILL NEED to have your finger prints checked, and YOU WILL have to pay for the hazmat tests.....otherwise, if you DO NOT WANT hazmat, then every four years renew it without it.

I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO REDO A ROAD TEST

NEVER LET IT EXPIRE.......!! or your SUNK......!!!

Will I need to keep my medical (dot card) updated after it expires to keep my CDL?

no...........BUT......if you go and drive ANY CDL TRUCK, NO MATTER WHAT CLASS.....YOU HAD BETTER HAVE A CURRENT CARD.............!!!!!

Or can I just update my medical card when I will actually need my CDL which may be well past its experation?

for the price of a physical nowadays.....and read my above reply

Thanks guys. I've learned a lot from these threads.

OKEE-DOOKIE.........

[Apostolic]

As far as New York State where I live,they want you to take the Hazmat test every two years,as well having your DOT medical card up to date.

Also the government back ground check,with finger printing.
It costs a bunch to keep everything current,but like pro1drivers posted if you let anything go you won't be able to drive a commercial vehicle for hire after that.

Other than Road tests its up to the next employer to what they want from you.
Most will have you do a road test with their equipment,before they hire you on.

Thats how it is around these parts,Oh key,dough key!

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by Apostolic

As far as New York State where I live,they want you to take the Hazmat test every two years,as well having your DOT medical card up to date.

Also the government back ground check,with finger printing.
It costs a bunch to keep everything current,but like pro1drivers posted if you let anything go you won't be able to drive a commercial vehicle for hire after that.

Other than Road tests its up to the next employer to what they want from you.
Most will have you do a road test with their equipment,before they hire you on.

Thats how it is around these parts,Oh key,dough key!

as far as the road goes goes, i "think" he was referring to "what if" he doesn't drive anymore, will the state DMV require another road test. this is why i said, DO NOT let it expire. because if he let's his license expire, NOT ONY will he be taking a road test, but the written tests as well...

yes, of course, a road test is REQUIRED by an employer to meet DOT regualtions proving the driver was tested.

[Apostolic]

Thats a true story pro1driver.
funny thing though the CDL's were going to be a universal license.
but then the States all decided they wanted it their way.
So even though we have a federal CDL,a lot of the States run it a little different than others.

Well then thats the government for you.
they can never work together everybody has to do their own thing.