Do you still have a CDL?

[Killgore]

The other day I received a periodic questionaire from our Department of Public Safety - Medical Division. They contact me every year wanting to know if I can still see, what my blood glucose levels have been running, and of course wanting my doctor to give a statement as to my general health. I think this is a responsible thing for them to do, and I am also concerned enough about my health to go to the doctor every six months. All of this is mandated because of my continuing refusal to relinquish my Class A CDL. I haven't been behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler in two years and can't imagine getting back in the saddle.

Is there any logical reason why I should continue to keep it in lieu of a regular driver's license? I'm pulling a 9,000 lb. fifth-wheel. Does Canada require a CDL?

- Ed

 

[Wayne M.]

ED, yes there has been extra scrutiny with the CDL's. Everyone I know had to answer a questionnaire regarding their status, and if they were interstate, to resubmit their medical. It seems that they're taking inventory to make sure who's who. My employer just did the same thing with medical benefits to weed out the divorcees and relatives who shouldn't be on the policy.
I can understand them following up with a driver who has had a lot of experience (I'm being polite) to see if they're still fit, but I'm shocked that they actually are! I think you should hold onto it until you can no longer can keep it- for no logical reason. Hopefully it'll be a long while before you'll need to surrender. An CDL A is a real prize that not many can claim. I don't think you need it for your rig since it's below 10K, but hey you never know when you might need it- maybe a situation on the road?

 

[JJPage]

Mine is due for renewal in November on my birthday, but I'm going to let it slide, not paying the extra $ for something I have no intention of ever utilizing again. Kind of sad, I have possessed a Chauffeur's / Class A / CDL since my eighteenth birthday, and it would be a total pain to get it re-established, but it is not in the cards...

 

[mwilson]

I will retain my CDL for as long as I can. You never know when I might just throw my hands up and go back to driving.......these new trucks are pretty nice....

The CDL is also required by most truck repair shops for tech positions, I can always go back to doing that as well.

I feel that it is worth keeping for those reasons in spite of the annual reporting to the State Of Maine and the higher penalties for traffic infractions.

You are held to a higher standard when you hold a CDL, doesn't matter if your *** is in a Prius or a Peterbilt.

Mike.

 

[SnoKing]

I kept mine for a number of years after I stopped driving in 79. Then they started requiring a DOT physical exam, so I gave it up. I did not have a road bike anymore at that time so I gave that endorsement up also.

I can sit back and remember that I was once a truck driver!!!! Drove local - 8500 gallon Gas Tanker! Titan 90 Chevy with 8V71 Detroit and 13 speed. Sure wished it had a J-brake! Chris

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[mwilson]

I'm lucky as far as the physical goes, where I made it known that I hold a CDL and will use it for this company my physicals are all paid for. I also get picked for random drug tests as I am in the driver pool.

Once in a while I get to go pound the gears. The longest trip so far for this company was when I flew to Albuquerque to pick up a Cascadia that we purchased and drove it back.

Mike.

 

[JJPage]

You are held to a higher standard when you hold a CDL, doesn't matter if your *** is in a Prius or a Peterbilt.Mike.

Quite true, but it doesn't work the other way as far as insurance premiums. I always believed a "holder" of a CDL should get an insurance premium discount, because of all the extra scrutiny, training, responsibility...that a CDL license requires, however the insurance industry does not see it my way :-laf

 

[dieselpowered]

I keep mine current, I even keep the Hazmat current. I haven't used it in years. but its nice to have. you never know when it would come in handy.

 

[SnoKing]

We had a little hazmat issue Friday night in our marina. I had been trained as a member of the harbor committee to deploy containment booms, so after this was out, we got a boom around the mess. In this photo you can see us putting the first little boom in. Later we installed the large boom that went around two complete docks. 6 boats went to the bottom.

Chris

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[Wayne M.]

I guess someone didn't vent their engine compartment?

 

[Killgore]

Yeow Chris! That reminds me of the fires we use to have in the muffler spaces on the LST that I served on. Of course that only happened when the Deck Force had usually just finished painting the main deck; another reason deck apes didn't like snipes. :-laf

Just got back from the doctor's office and I'm good for another year. There's nothing like a D.O.T. physical.
- Ed

 

[jelag]

I still have mine but need to update my medical... I use a cpap and they are now requiring proof that I use mine... my medical program used to give me a physical free... now a special doc needs to do the testing... and its now a $100 bill....

On another point I'd like to make... I had a chance to ride with a ODFW (Oregon Department Fish Wildlife) driver... he moves fish from one location to another... per his training... doesn't do a daily inspection, doesn't run a log book.. they don't do annual inspections... he had never been taught to drain the air tanks... had no clue what a slack adjustment was or how to inspect it for travel or angle..... and didn't understand what an air drier was... I could go on... in 5 years of driving, he's never been looked at or inspected at a scale house... he drives in 3 states as they move fish to different streams based on agreements... BTW he could tell me of it was possible to overload (water and fish in tank) the trucks... but he did know the water to fish ratio to prevent harm to the fish... and how to keep the proper amount of oxygen in the water.... I of course than wondered how many state agencies don't follow the rules...

 

[BIGNASTY]

I had to prove that I could still drive a Class 8 truck when My Doctor reported (by law) that my amputation was a possible reason for my CDL to be taken away when my Med Card came due. I asked if my International (with automatic) would qualify for the exam? They said No it had to be a Class 8 of a certain weight, that the International didn't meet.

A friend that still works his Pete hauling cattle and I went out and I found that I can!! still operate the clutch with my Mechanical Prosthesis. I wouldn't want to get into a traffic jam anytime soon driving like this but im NOT!! going to relinquish my CDL until I cant find away to drive a truck. The DMV examiner asked wouldn't it be just as easy to get a truck with an Automatic? I asked him if he had ever pushed a rig? he said yes ( Proudly) for 15 years 48 state and Canada!! I asked him if he really understood the question he had just asked? Automatics in Big trucks are for A holes and old ladies that cant drive their thumbs up their wa-zoo!! He agreed. ( I used a different terminology for Wa-zoo that TDR wont allow)

The part of the test that had me (and the truck owner) worried was backing. I haven't backed anything bigger than my 30ft goose-neck flatbed hooked up to the International or Dodge since I had retired. We went to a feed store that had a train track loading dock, he asked if I could back up to the dock? Hit it the first shot!!

Drove back to the DMV went in the door to the counter where he stamped his official OK on the exam paper shook my hand slapped me on the back and said

NEXT TIME DON'T BRING THE BULL WAGON PLEASE!!!!


Please!! the poster that started this thread don't take anger in what is about to be said. But if you have to ask if you should give up your Class 1 (that's what I got when I first got mine)

THEN YOU NEVER REALLY WERE MUCH OF A TRUCK DRIVER TO BEGIN WITH!!! JMO


PS: Sorry Ed I just went back to see who posted this and found out that I may have stepped on YOUR toes with the above comment. Driving was not just an occupation with me it is ME!!

BIG http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUd7dPKaI2E

 

[6speed]

I would not give up mine at all. It was a task to get and now its in MY POSSESION. I'll be damned if I am giving it up. I pull my 46'
G-neck and I am over the 26K lb break. At least I am covered if some jackass somewhere wants to get on me about it. The only time I had an issue was going into Fl on 75 at the AG station, DOT asked how long I was, said 63 & 1/2. He says you look long, pull up here so I can measure you. Rolls me out, comes back says I am wrong, I say WHAT!!!! He says 63' 7". I say well I am under your 65' rule and he says yes but you looked long and have a good day. For those that don't know FL has a 65' law after that it requires a permit. And I just like the idea that I can say i am a holder of a CDL

 

[6speed]

Forgot to add. I work for the US Gov't, so all I had to do was self certify. I don't get to operate all that much anymore being in supervisor role, but when I do I enjoy it. Best part is only work 8hrs, no weekends, and I get to pick and choose the loads. Another thing funny was when I first got hired the then supervisor said don't you have a CDL? Said yes. he instructs me that I am hauling equipment with the T/T. I go out to check the rig and he is watching me, I go back to him tell him I can't drive this truck, I wasn't trained on this type. He looks at me confused and asked again, don't you have a CDL? I said yes I do but there was some things missing from the truck. He says what missing. I tell him 2 things. It only has 2 pedals and there wasn't a stick coming thru the floor, I said Ill fall asleep before I get out of the yard

 

[Killgore]

Hah! BIG, I was wondering how long you could refrain from getting on this thread! No offense taken; I had more of a question about whether or not Canada would be requring anything special in the future, (rumors?), instead of why I should keep what I've got.

But, I've got to admit there have been times when I wondered why I ever got behind the wheel. Being pulled out of the front office and told to deliver concrete in an all-wheel ready-mix truck is an eye-roller. One of my last thrills was backing down a mountain with concrete flowing out of the crow's nest (loading chute), the front wheels bobbing off the ground and the new-cut road on the side of the mountain breaking away. It was the only load I ever delivered when I just stopped the mixer from agitating and the load hit the ground without putting it in discharge. LOL, It ain't all chrome, beautiful paint jobs and asphalt.
- Ed

 

[Killgore]

Jim, I use a cpap machine also. How will they know whether or not you actually use it?
- Ed

 

[mfurrh55]

Have had a class A CDL since 82, and am not giving it up, did get a notice to fill out for medical if i was still driving over the road, but just checked the box that said i was not O-T-R for a living, so that was all i had to submit, didn't have to bother with any Dr's about a medical, don't have a medical card anymore, will only get one if they say i HAVE to get it, Monte

 

[JJPage]

Have had a class A CDL since 82, and am not giving it up, did get a notice to fill out for medical if i was still driving over the road, but just checked the box that said i was not O-T-R for a living, so that was all i had to submit, didn't have to bother with any Dr's about a medical, don't have a medical card anymore, will only get one if they say i HAVE to get it, Monte

State of Montana told me last year I had to have a valid medical card or my license would automatically revert back to a regular driver's license. They didn't care that I was not currently employed as a driver, so I did renew my medical card and fax it to Helena. Health reasons dictate it will be the last time or I would keep it active, it's really not the $ saved that is guiding my decision.

Jess

 

[ata]

I had to prove that I could still drive a Class 8 truck when My Doctor reported (by law) that my amputation was a possible reason for my CDL to be taken away when my Med Card came due. I asked if my International (with automatic) would qualify for the exam? They said No it had to be a Class 8 of a certain weight, that the International didn't meet.

I thought you said you LOST YOUR LEG IN COMBAT? And I thought you said you drove class 8 for 27 years without that leg? You must have forgot what you have said or some people on this site got it wrong?