Oregon to California CDL

[Lawrence1]

you'll have to retake the written tests for the CDL. No driving test will be required but they'll make you retake the written exams and you will have to pay the fees of course.

also, this is at the discretion of the DMV clerk that is assisting you but sometimes they will ask you to take half of the written test for the class C driver's license as well.

dont know why but i know a few people that had that happen to them


good luck.

[dimetrio85]

i recommend you to get ready to pass DMV written test before you'll go to DMV office.
Here's good site to study:
Online sample questions with answers for DMV written tests
for all states

[jkmn]

Just finished the process of getting my Calif. CDL-A "transferred" from Oregon. Here's what happened:

1. Lawrence was right: I had to take the full Calif. General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination tests, but no driving test.

2. Lawrence was right about this too: I had to take half (?!) of the Class C test--apparently because I used to have a Calif. DL 15 years ago, they see this as a "renewal" of my old license (at least that's what I understood).

3. I also did Hazmat, tanker, and doubles endorsements (triples not legal here).

4. I also had a motorcycle endorsement with my old Calif. Class C, so I was able to renew that as well just by taking the written test, again no driving test required.

Altogether I took 8 written tests. Did it in one day. What fun it was.

I passed them all, but HERE THE NIGHTMARE PART:

In order for the Calif. DMV to accept my Medical Examiner's Certificate, I had to provide them with a FULL COPY OF THE ACTUAL REPORT WRITTEN BY THE DOCTOR IN OREGON. Even though MDs are obviously nationally licensed, Calif. wants to see that they "agree" with Oregon's determination to grant me the Certificate. I guess Oregon sometimes lets paranoid schizophrenics drive big rigs, but Calif. just isn't that lenient. But because the medical center in Oregon worked directly with the trucking school, they never gave me a copy of the actual report but sent it to the Oregon DMV directly.

It took hours--HOURS--to get the medical center in Oregon to fax the report to the Calif. DMV. The incompetence at both ends was breathtaking.

ALSO, when I was handed my temporary CDL by the very rude DMV office manager, I noticed my Hazmat was not listed. She said I was not in the national "database" as having received it. Luckily I brought a copy of the approval letter I got from the TSA. With a single phone call (which I was asked not to listen in on), it was magically cleared up.

NOW I have to find a local job in Southern Calif. that will hire a newbie (already hired for OTR but due to life circumstances can't do it). And it's been so long since I've driven I have to find a school offers brush-up courses (I probably only need a day or so).

I pray for the day I'll be working full-time as a trucker.

Thanks to y'all once again.